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Product Description
From Amazon
First published in 1982, Guy Vanderhaeghe's Man Descending, a collection of 12 finely crafted short stories set mostly on the Canadian Prairies, won Canada's Governor General's Award for fiction (an award that Vanderhaeghe won again in 1996 for his novel The Englishman's Boy). Showing tremendous range, Vanderhaeghe is equally adept at taking on the voice of an 11-year-old boy stuck on a dusty farm or an unemployed husband (the "descending man" of the title) whose marriage, like his scotch, is on the rocks. His characters--men, women, or children--are wholly believable and achingly human. There are no superheroes here, just real human beings with all their foibles and failings, charms and weaknesses.
Vanderhaeghe is particularly skilled at describing his creations: the grandmother with a "vinegary voice"; the father who was a "desolate, lanky, drooping weed of a man"; the child who is "loose-jointed" and "water-boned" with boredom; the husband with the "I'm-a-harmless-idiot-don't-hit-me smile." The dialogue flows with the patterns and ripples of genuine speech caught alive and still breathing, especially in "Going to Russia," in which a lunatic recalls his interview with a doctor. As they discuss a series of letters in a wonderfully resonant and twisting conversation, the two characters turn out to be tracing the ways art imitates life (and vice versa). These are rich, satisfying stories with a touch of wry humour. Despite their layers of meaning, which can reward rereading, they travel lightly. They are like the Prairies, in fact: allowing a clear view all the way to the horizon but revealing intriguing detail on closer inspection. --Mark Frutkin
Review
“These stories are wonderful! I thought I’d ‘sample’ them, and I’ve read them all with that astonished gratitude you feel when you meet a real writer.”
–Alice Munro
“Technically delightful, with multi-themes and layers of meaning.…These are stories to be reread and remembered.”
–Books in Canada
“[These stories] all repay close reading with solid entertainment.”
–New York Times
“Original and stylish, written with a quirky, self-deprecating awareness of the sad shifts men are put to in order to survive.”
–Daily Telegraph (U.K.)
“Flawless.…Each of these stories circles around in the mind, weaving itself into the fabric of the imagination, until the final lines, when, as if a trap door suddenly opens, the whole world of the story drops en masse into the realm of the heart.”
–Bloomsbury Review (U.S.)
“A remarkable achievement.…The stories mark a compelling debut of an artist who sees with compassion the terror and sometimes the joy of the human condition.”
–David Staines, Ottawa Citizen
“[Vanderhaeghe] is blessed with remarkable poise and assurance.…There’s the same shiver of delight and joy of discovery that accompanied Alice Munro’s first collection of stories.”
–Globe and Mail
“Admirably crafted.…”
–The Guardian
“Stunningly good stories.…The action and dialogue are vivid, authentic and often hilarious.…”
–Winnipeg Free Press
“[The stories] shows Vanderhaeghe’s mastery of irony and his dexterity in maneuvering from the comic to the tragic.”
–Journal-Constitution (U.S.)
“[A] remarkable selection of stories.”
–ALA Booklist (U.S.)
“Any Canadian looking in the bathroom mirror is sure to recognize one of Guy Vanderhaeghe’s people. Man Descending is the startling debut of an excellent writer.”
–Rudy Wiebe
–Alice Munro
“Technically delightful, with multi-themes and layers of meaning.…These are stories to be reread and remembered.”
–Books in Canada
“[These stories] all repay close reading with solid entertainment.”
–New York Times
“Original and stylish, written with a quirky, self-deprecating awareness of the sad shifts men are put to in order to survive.”
–Daily Telegraph (U.K.)
“Flawless.…Each of these stories circles around in the mind, weaving itself into the fabric of the imagination, until the final lines, when, as if a trap door suddenly opens, the whole world of the story drops en masse into the realm of the heart.”
–Bloomsbury Review (U.S.)
“A remarkable achievement.…The stories mark a compelling debut of an artist who sees with compassion the terror and sometimes the joy of the human condition.”
–David Staines, Ottawa Citizen
“[Vanderhaeghe] is blessed with remarkable poise and assurance.…There’s the same shiver of delight and joy of discovery that accompanied Alice Munro’s first collection of stories.”
–Globe and Mail
“Admirably crafted.…”
–The Guardian
“Stunningly good stories.…The action and dialogue are vivid, authentic and often hilarious.…”
–Winnipeg Free Press
“[The stories] shows Vanderhaeghe’s mastery of irony and his dexterity in maneuvering from the comic to the tragic.”
–Journal-Constitution (U.S.)
“[A] remarkable selection of stories.”
–ALA Booklist (U.S.)
“Any Canadian looking in the bathroom mirror is sure to recognize one of Guy Vanderhaeghe’s people. Man Descending is the startling debut of an excellent writer.”
–Rudy Wiebe
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Man Descending,
By
This review is from: Man Descending (Paperback)
I was curioius about this authour with the unusual name that kept turning up on bestwriters lists. Then I found out he was Canadian and that many of his stories take place in Canada. I'm a huge fan of Canadian stories, so I ordered "Man Descending" and started reading. I only put it down to order more of Guy Vanderhaeghe's stories. It feels so good to be completely bowled over by great stories incredibly well written. I just purchased "The Last Crossing", "The Englishman's Boy", and "A Good Man" - all best sellers and multi award winners by Guy Vanderhaeghe. I've discovered gold and I'm panning for every flake I can get.
5.0 out of 5 stars
relentless, unapologetic brilliance,
By
This review is from: Man Descending (Paperback)
I've never really liked Canadian literature. But this short story collection was spectacular.Vanderhaeghe is a smart writer; his book is tough, fast, vulgar, and very funny. He writes what he knows. If you're tired of getting a romanticized or over-simplified version of rural Saskatchewan life -and you want a writer to tell it like he sees it, give 'Man Descending' a shot.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Read!,
By H. Fisher (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Man Descending (Paperback)
I hate to say it but I was extremely apprehensive in having to read this book. It was for a 2nd year university class- the topic was Canadian Litterature, which to put it honestly is generally not my choice. The only reason I took this particular class was that it fit in my schedule! When I started to read this book for class I was drawn in, wanting more. I read the entire book in one sitting. Then each class when we were to discuss the story in depth it gave me an even better opportunity to delve into each story. It has been a few years but that is still a book that I re-read when given a chance. I am so glad that I had taken that university class!
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