Book reviews from idahoinklings

Winter Wheat

by Mildred Walker

As a young teenage girl in Idaho during the 1960's, I remember standing in local stores surveying the drab, old surroundings and longing to be where things were fresh, new, and by all means hip. Walker's story of the young Ellen Webb, living on a Montana dry-farm in the 1940's was at first a little too close to home. I knew that character and prayed the wheat would come in so that Ellen's mom and dad could send her to college. The next two years of Ellen's life proves to be riveting, heartbreaking, and real. Is life more than the metaphoric dry-farm? Where is the truth? The answers slowly come and in ways you will never guess. Walker's writing is tight, clear and the story is presented with such depth of power that I am actually considering a reread. I never reread. Don't miss this amazing read.

Earth Abides

by George R Stewart

While working in the mountains on a project, Isherwood (Ish) Williams is bitten by a rattlesnake. He suffers through the ordeal, unaware that the bite probably saved his life. As Ish makes his way home to San Francisco, he finds that a pandemic has swept the earth and he is virtually alone. As Ish begins starts to experience the decaying world humans left behind, he locates a dog, a car and develops an urge to travel the United States where he finds pockets of survivors - not necessarily happy to see him.George R. Stewart's 1949 post-apocalyptic science fiction novel is one of the top ten books I've ever read. I was so drawn into the story that I had to call work and claim to be sick - I could not put the book down! The reader literally becomes Ish's best friend and travelling companion. What kind of civilization should return? Now, there's the question. Education, racism, rule of law, and culture - it all comes into question in Stewart's story. Truly, survival has to be to the those most fit. But, does that mean you have to read? Do yourself a favor. Read this book - while you can.