Finally Finished

Yep, The Prairie is completely read from cover to cover, and a thoroughly enjoyable diversion it has been from beginning to end. It was a very wordy novel about Ishmael Bush and his family who set off to "leave the settlements" behind and head out west. But he finds the adventure not to his liking after running into characters like the Old Trapper and the Army feller who is looking for his wife and the Siouxes who steal his animals and left the family stranded. The Old Trapper leads the various men and women through all their trials and tribulations and the family ends up back in the settlements.

After the manuscript there is an essay by John William Ward on what J. F. Cooper was trying to do with this novel and the others in the series. He states that "The Prairie is a threnody over the passing of something fine and heroic in American life." It may have very well been, but I don't try to analyze the books I read or psychoanalyze the characters, although the author may be trying to put over a fine point. I read for pleasure and that's all and I didn't find it dull or boring with all the unnecessary wording that was thrown in. But today's writing style gets to the point much faster to accommodate modern readers who have very little time according to some experts.

However, if you find yourself with extra time on your hands, pick up The Prairie and take the time to enjoy Mr. Cooper's wordy style.

I told Patsy Collins I would give her a mention and congratulations on her new book Escape to the Country. You can read about it on her blog at http://www.patsy-collins.blogspot.com for Friday, March 9, 2012.