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Discovering Jim Harrison
Jim Harrison is one author who I have always meant to read. I never got around to it. Until last night.
The luxury of reading by electric power for the first time in over a week was simply too wonderful to pass up. I picked up a copy of Harrison’s latest, THE ENGLISH MAJOR (Grove Press) and I literally could not put it down.
Harrison has written 25+ books - he has always been on my radar. I’m so pleased to have finally plunged into this literary pool. Wow! What a writer he is.
This latest novel is written in the form of a memoir - Cliff is a sixty year-old cherry farmer in Michigan. He used to be a schoolteacher. Life seems fairly settled until he and his wife Vivian attend their high school reunion. Shortly thereafter his wife of thirty-eight years leaves him for some guy that she was sweet on back in high school.
Cliff isn’t exactly devastated - more like puzzled. When his former wife sells off the farm after their divorce Cliff realizes that he can pursue his dream of going to all 50 states.
He embarks in his decaying automobile for grand and glorious adventures. This lovely book will be published on October 7th.
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: confessions of a galley slave
Comments
By Laura
September 24, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
Love Jim Harrison, glad you do too … Here’s an irrelevant yet somehow connected story: One day, visiting a friend’s house, my dog chased his cat through the house - the cat ran onto his desk and spilled a glass of water - the water spilled onto and ruined several of his (very favorite author) Jim Harrison books. He was quite pissed. Not about the terrified cat - about the books. C’est la vie!By vick
September 23, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
When I initially picked up the book I thought that the title might refer to a British military officer. I found out after reading the book that the “English Major” of the title is the narrator - he had as a college major - English.By beastmomma
September 23, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
To what does the title of the book refer? Also, I am sorry to hear about the water heater situation. Soon, I hope that you will have electricity and hot water!By Blowfly
September 23, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
I read Warlock years ago and I recall liking it, but don’t remember much else. To me he seemed sort of like Richard Russo. Sounds like a good book.By vick
September 23, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
Thanks, LMJ. Still waiting on that shower though. When electric was restored the water heater melted down. Water everywhere. Had to shut down the water. Plumber should be here any minute now…By lmj
September 23, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Welcome back to civilization, Vick. Bet that shower in your own home felt sooooo good. Only a few hundred books were released while you were incommudicado. Not much has changed. Still so many books, so little time!