the second half of this book (where it finally synced with what the blurb on the back said it was about) was what i really enjoyed, to me it seemed that the "set-up" getting to that point was overly long. the story centers around rusty harry, a 12 year old, who is reunited with (re-claimed by?)his bartender father who owns a bar in a Montana "dam town" and their new life together. plenty of plot twist, adventure and characters to keep my interest, the historical bits kind of bogged me down in places, however. My friend Pat recommended this book and as usual she knows a good book when she sees one. I have never read anything by Doig before, but will look for another one of his books soon.Tom Harry and his son Rusty are two of the most enjoyable characters I have read about in a long time. The story is a bit like a Mark Twain story mixed with a bit of Harper Lee. Tom is a wonderful father who runs/owns the Medicine Lodge Bar is a very small town in Montana. He rescues Rusty from a terrible life in Phoenix with an aunt and brings him home to raise him at the beginning of the 1960's. Their lives merge well and they grow to love and respect each other with humor and grace. Tom has an interesting past which comes back to 'haunt' him in the form of Proxy and Francine. There are all sorts of wonderful characters who pop up in the story, including some great fishing antecdotes too. Rusty and his best friend Zoe are a more modern verion of Tom and Huck. I am going to recommend it for my book club to read.Thanks Pat.
What do You think about The Bartenders Tale (2000)?
I love Ivan Doig and in this one he did not disappoint. this could be my favorite yet.
—41i123
Started out a bit show but glad I stuck with it.
—natalie9287
