- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial (May 23 2002)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0060084340
- ISBN-13: 978-0060084349
- Product Dimensions: 20.4 x 13.5 x 2.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 286 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #2,204,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Sibling rivalry turns sinister in Rowland's outstanding debut, which follows a Montana ranching clan as it struggles to survive the Depression, two world wars and family tragedy. Narrator Blake Arbuckle finds himself torn between trying to preserve his tattered family and striking out to pursue a baseball career, after his older brother George drowns in the Missouri River near the family's ranch and his younger sister dies of spinal meningitis. George's death brings out the manipulative dark side in another of Blake's brothers, Jack, who is suspected of foul play in the incident, and after a series of bitter fights with his father about ranch work, Jack takes off and enlists in the army. He reappears several years later with a beautiful woman, Rita, in tow, and Blake's instant attraction for his brother's bride increases as Jack's various character flaws begin to resurface and he eventually leaves Rita. Blake turns down his chance to escape after a promising tryout with the Cardinals, and the family turmoil over the fate of the ranch increases exponentially when another brother, Bob, brings home Helen, a partner as devious as brother Jack. Rowland's examination of family dynamics is poignant and revealing, especially as he unveils a series of revelations about Jack's womanizing, his fraudulent war record and a series of unscrupulous business deals culminating in a scheme to take control of the ranch. Blake's compassion makes him a memorable narrator, and Rowland's sense of craft and control, as well as his ability to integrate the land into the tale, make his book a noteworthy debut.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Review
“In Open Spaces...is sage, humane, and immensely readable.” (C. Michael Curtis, senior editor, Atlantic Monthly )
“[An] outstanding debut...Rowland’s examination of family dynamics is poignant and revealing....” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) )
“Like Norman McLean’s A River Runs Through It,...Rowland...brings [Montana’s] unique beauty alive....Good reading.” (Denver Post )
“A family epic that has a muted elegance.…A gracefully understated novel.” (New York Times Book Review )
“Charged with dramatic tension -- a joy to read.” (Ha Jin, author of Waiting, winner of the National Book Award )
“Russell Rowland’s In Open Spaces is as good as it gets...a powerful book.” (C.J. Box, author of Open Season and Savage Run )
“Compelling. Cinematic. A fine first novel about the strength of family.” (San Francisco Weekly )
“A heartfelt debut...[An] unpretentious, involving story told with unfaltering authority.” (Kirkus Reviews )
“[An] outstanding debut...Rowland’s examination of family dynamics is poignant and revealing....” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) )
“Like Norman McLean’s A River Runs Through It,...Rowland...brings [Montana’s] unique beauty alive....Good reading.” (Denver Post )
“A family epic that has a muted elegance.…A gracefully understated novel.” (New York Times Book Review )
“Charged with dramatic tension -- a joy to read.” (Ha Jin, author of Waiting, winner of the National Book Award )
“Russell Rowland’s In Open Spaces is as good as it gets...a powerful book.” (C.J. Box, author of Open Season and Savage Run )
“Compelling. Cinematic. A fine first novel about the strength of family.” (San Francisco Weekly )
“A heartfelt debut...[An] unpretentious, involving story told with unfaltering authority.” (Kirkus Reviews )
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
The windows of the old Model T rattled as the mail truck bounced along the winding gravel road from Belle Fourche, South Dakota, to Albion, Montana. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
The windows of the old Model T rattled as the mail truck bounced along the winding gravel road from Belle Fourche, South Dakota, to Albion, Montana. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Realistic Picture of the Depression,
By
This review is from: In Open Spaces (Paperback)
"In Open Spaces" is a lovely read and reminded me somewhat of the tales my parents told me about their own trials and tribulations in the Canadian Prairies during the depression years. The story is told in the first person viewpoint of Blake Arbuckle as he lyrically explains his families' struggle to keep their Montana Ranch afloat through the difficult years of WWI and the "dirty thirties." The setting and the ranch are characters just as clearly defined as the members of this emotionally charged family. The story tends to be character-driven and you can't help but love some and hate others as is appropriate. At the end of the book you are ready for more about this complicated family and Blake's own tantalizing romance.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A compelling story,
By
This review is from: In Open Spaces (Paperback)
Well-written and believable story of a ranching family in Montana. Convincing characters and vivid scenery pulled me into the book and kept me gripped till the end. Excellent descriptions of life on a cattle ranch in the middle of nowhere. Really enjoyed it, a great read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A joy to read,
By Edie (Freiburg, Germany) - See all my reviews
This review is from: In Open Spaces (Paperback)
What a beautiful book. Quiet, gentle, but very strong emotions. Superb. I loved it.
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