TheWandering Hill wandered to the vicinity of the Yellowstone River and surprised and scared some Indians and whites with its mysterious cropping up. This book is the second in the Berrybender family story and encompasses a lot of talk of coupling, "tupping," outright fornication, and copulation among some of the characters as they make their way south along the River and meet up with Drummond Stewart's band of explorers. As they travel south hoping to eventually arrive at Santa Fe or some other place, there is a lot of agonizing by Tasmin Berrybender and her husband, the Sin Killer Jim Snow, over their marriage and prospects for a happy life as they part and rejoin while traveling. Jim's young Indian wife accompanied him on his return and is now a valuable member of their expedition, mostly as a babysitter taking care of Jim and Tasmin's offspring, baby Monty. The party almost gets wiped out by a thundering herd of buffalo startled by who knows what, the old Indian, Greasy Lake, thinking it was the Wandering Hill that set them off. The great Lord Berrybender almost loses it as he tries to devour the supply of claret and thinks his wife is still alive.
This novel continues the fine, rollicking tale of the aristocratic Berrybender family and their introduction to the wilds of North America and the adventures and misadventures that befall them in their travels. In my 'umble opinion, Mr. McMurtry has again delivered an entertaining chronicle that is well worth the time it takes to read, and I'm looking forward to diving into the third part, By Sorrows River.
(No money or gift was received for mentioning the books in this post.)
To use a worn but appropriate cliche: McMurtry is a national treasure. Horseman, Pass By, The Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment, Lonesome Dove. What a career!
ReplyDeleteHe is that and versatile, too!
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