Sweet Thunder - Hardcover

Doig, Ivan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1594487340 ISBN 13: 9781594487347

Publisher: Riverhead Books, 2013

Synopsis

A beloved character brings the power of the press to 1920s Butte, Montana, in this latest from the best storyteller of the West

In the winter of 1920, a quirky bequest draws Morrie Morgan back to Butte, Montana, from a year-long honeymoon with his bride, Grace. But the mansion bestowed by a former boss upon the itinerant charmer, who debuted in Doig’s bestsellingThe Whistling Season, promises to be less windfall than money pit. And the town itself, with its polyglot army of miners struggling to extricate themselves from the stranglehold of the ruthless Anaconda Copper Mining Company, seemslike the couple’s fast-diminishing financeson the verge of implosion.

These twin dilemmas catapult Morrie into his new career as editorialist for the Thunder, the fledgling union newspaper that dares to play David to Anaconda’s Goliath. Amid the clatter of typewriters, the rumble of the printing presses, and a cast of unforgettable characters, Morrie puts his gift for word-slinging to work. As he pursues victory for the miners, he discovers that he is enmeshed in a deeply personal battle as wellthe struggle to win lasting love for himself.

Brilliantly capturing an America roaring into a new age, Sweet Thunder is another great tale from a classic American novelist.

About this title

Review:

"A remarkably solid and prolific novelist in the tradition of Wallace Stegner... [Doig's] writing and characters are delightful." -"USA Today"
"Doig, who holds a Ph.D. in history, is at his best in his historic novels, and he unspools this compelling tale among the clatter of typewriters and the 'sweet thunder' of printing presses... Marvelous... yet another Montana book worthy of Doig's prodigious talents." -"Seattle Times"
"Ivan Doig is one of the finest novelists writing today... Doig knows how to spin a tale, and he does so here with wonderful language that flows effortlessly from his rich and diverse characters... after finishing this fine novel, one just wants more." -"Portland Oregonian"
"There have been many charming rogues through literary history, and Mr. Doig brings us another one: Morrie Morgan... Doig has a gift of making oddballs believable and lovable, as well as a gift for capturing place and personality in deft strokes... an entertaining story at a high intellectual level." -"New York Journal of Books"
"Filled with an abundance of rich characters... it is Butte itself, a tough-fisted city of plungers and promoters, bootleggers and union workers, sharpers and window men and crooked boxers, that binds the story together. Doig re-creates one of America's legendary cities and fills it with characters to match." -"Denver Post"
"An evocative portrayal of one of Montana's most fascinating places at a significant moment in its history... The story of Butte and copper has, of course, been repeated many times in novels and historical accounts. But history Ph.D. Doig provides unexpected tie-ins...a skillful, experienced storyteller...Doig handles his characters with a light touch...an enjoyable excuse to order up a pasty and revisit early Montana and the 'richest hill on Earth.' " - "Billings Gazette"
"Even though Doig makes his home in Seattle, he stays true to the essence of life he learned as the only child of a ranch hand and a ranch cook on Montana cattle ranches...Butte and the larger Montana will surely yield more stories from Doig's rich imagination. He has always provided an entertaining and informative reading experience for this reader, and I'll be waiting for the next one." "- "Bismarck Tribune"
"
"The book's tone is tinged with familiarity--Morgan carries over the memories and experiences of Butte and its multitudinous personalities from the events of "Work Song"--and fans of the Morgan series will not be disappointed... "Sweet Thunder "also feels like a piece of history, full of recollections beyond the personal. The distance [with which] Morgan narrates the novel, discussing the Company and the 1919 World Series and Warren G Harding, among other things, suggests conscious authorship. Morgan comes across not only as a historian but also a bard, scribe, fount, jester and critic: a walking, dog-eared compendium...He is a joyous autodidact. He is the first secret to "Sweet Thunder's "charm."" - "New West""
"With Doig's charm and fine storycrafting, "Sweet Thunder" ultimately reads as a brainy yet rollicking, highly entertaining adventure. It's a perfect summer read from one of Seattle's veteran masters." -"Northwest Reads," the News of Mill Creek
"Enchanting and different... a great end of summer read." -Bethanne Patrick, New York 1
"It is always a pleasure to read Ivan Doig, who is consistently able to capture the innocence of another era. It is an innocence that, living in today's world, seems fairy tale-like in the telling. But again, that is what Doig has done exceptionally well throughout his 12 novels, which stand more like bridges to the past than mere tales conjured from his imagination." -"Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star"
"Not only are Morrie and his buddies fascinating characters, but so is Butte... ["Sweet Thunder"] is a celebration of Doig's love of language and poetry." -"Helena Independent Record"
"With a master storyteller's instincts and a dollop of wry humor, Doig evokes a perfect landscape of the past with a cast of memorable characters. A treasure of a novel." -"Library Journal" (starred review)" "
"[A] stirring tale of greed, corruption, and the power of past sins... Doig's attention to detail, both historical and concerning characters of his own creation, is as sharp as ever. Long-time fans will recognize familiar names from previous novels and readers both seasoned and new will fall under the spell of Doig's Big Sky Country." -"Publishers Weekly"
"[A] marvelously atmospheric portrait of the bygone newspaper trade and an engaging cast of characters sketched with the author's customary vigor... welcome evidence that Doig, in his 70s, is more prolific and entertaining than ever." -"Kirkus"
"Think "Shane "but with dueling journalists instead of gunfighters... A stirring tale given a melancholic edge by the fading influence of print newspapers in our very different modern world." -"Booklist"

Praise For "Sweet Thunder"
"A remarkably solid and prolific novelist in the tradition of Wallace Stegner... [Doig's] writing and characters are delightful." -"USA Today"
"Doig, who holds a Ph.D. in history, is at his best in his historic novels, and he unspools this compelling tale among the clatter of typewriters and the 'sweet thunder' of printing presses... Marvelous... yet another Montana book worthy of Doig's prodigious talents." -"Seattle Times"

" ""Doig...makes us feel a part of the very landscape and era about which he is writing while...telling a story that keeps the pages turning..." Sweet Thunder" stands alone beautifully...and when combined with Doig's "Whistling Season" and "Work Song" makes a powerhouse trilogy that belongs on the bookshelf of any reader who enjoys the history of the West." -"Montana Magazine"

"Ivan Doig is one of the finest novelists writing today... Doig knows how to spin a tale, and he does so here with wonderful language that flows effortlessly from his rich and diverse characters... after finishing this fine novel, one just wants more." -"Portland Oregonian"
"There have been many charming rogues through literary history, and Mr. Doig brings us another one: Morrie Morgan... Doig has a gift of making oddballs believable and lovable, as well as a gift for capturing place and personality in deft strokes... an entertaining story at a high intellectual level." -"New York Journal of Books"
"Filled with an abundance of rich characters... it is Butte itself, a tough-fisted city of plungers and promoters, bootleggers and union workers, sharpers and window men and crooked boxers, that binds the story together. Doig re-creates one of America's legendary cities and fills it with characters to match." -"Denver Post"
"Enchanting and different... a great end of summer read." -Bethanne Patrick, New York 1
"It is always a pleasure to read Ivan Doig, who is consistently able to capture the innocence of another era. It is an innocence that, living in today's world, seems fairy tale-like in the telling. But again, that is what Doig has done exceptionally well throughout his 12 novels, which stand more like bridges to the past than mere tales conjured from his imagination." -"Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star"
"Not only are Morrie and his buddies fascinating characters, but so is Butte... ["Sweet Thunder"] is a celebration of Doig's love of language and poetry." -"Helena Independent Record"
"With a master storyteller's instincts and a dollop of wry humor, Doig evokes a perfect landscape of the past with a cast of memorable characters. A treasure of a novel." -"Library Journal" (starred review)" "
"[A] stirring tale of greed, corruption, and the power of past sins... Doig's attention to detail, both historical and concerning characters of his own creation, is as sharp as ever. Long-time fans will recognize familiar names from previous novels and readers both seasoned and new will fall under the spell of Doig's Big Sky Country." -"Publishers Weekly"
"[A] marvelously atmospheric portrait of the bygone newspaper trade and an engaging cast of characters sketched with the author's customary vigor... welcome evidence that Doig, in his 70s, is more prolific and entertaining than ever." -"Kirkus"
"Think "Shane "but with dueling journalists instead of gunfighters... A stirring tale given a melancholic edge by the fading influence of print newspapers in our very different modern world." -"Booklist"

"From the Hardcover edition."

Praise For"Sweet Thunder"
"A remarkably solid and prolific novelist in the tradition of Wallace Stegner [Doig s] writing and characters are delightful." "USA Today"
"Doig, who holds a Ph.D. in history, is at his best in his historic novels, and he unspools this compelling tale among the clatter of typewriters and the 'sweet thunder' of printing presses Marvelous yet another Montana book worthy of Doig s prodigious talents." "Seattle Times"

"" Doig makes us feel a part of the very landscape and era about which he is writing while telling a story that keeps the pages turning " Sweet Thunder" stands alone beautifully and when combined with Doig s "Whistling Season" and "Work Song" makes a powerhouse trilogy that belongs on the bookshelf of any reader who enjoys the history of the West. "Montana Magazine"

"Ivan Doig is one of the finest novelists writing today Doig knows how to spin a tale, and he does so here with wonderful language that flows effortlessly from his rich and diverse characters after finishing this fine novel, one just wants more." "Portland Oregonian"
"There have been many charming rogues through literary history, and Mr. Doig brings us another one: Morrie Morgan Doig has a gift of making oddballs believable and lovable, as well as a gift for capturing place and personality in deft strokes an entertaining story at a high intellectual level." "New York Journal of Books"
"Filled with an abundance of rich characters it is Butte itself, a tough-fisted city of plungers and promoters, bootleggers and union workers, sharpers and window men and crooked boxers, that binds the story together. Doig re-creates one of America's legendary cities and fills it with characters to match." "Denver Post"
"Enchanting and different a great end of summer read." Bethanne Patrick, New York 1
"It is always a pleasure to read Ivan Doig, who is consistently able to capture the innocence of another era. It is an innocence that, living in today s world, seems fairy tale-like in the telling. But again, that is what Doig has done exceptionally well throughout his 12 novels, which stand more like bridges to the past than mere tales conjured from his imagination." "Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star"
"Not only are Morrie and his buddies fascinating characters, but so is Butte ["Sweet Thunder"] is a celebration of Doig s love of language and poetry." "Helena Independent Record"
"With a master storyteller s instincts and a dollop of wry humor, Doig evokes a perfect landscape of the past with a cast of memorable characters. A treasure of a novel." "Library Journal" (starred review)""
"[A] stirring tale of greed, corruption, and the power of past sins Doig's attention to detail, both historical and concerning characters of his own creation, is as sharp as ever. Long-time fans will recognize familiar names from previous novels and readers both seasoned and new will fall under the spell of Doig's Big Sky Country." "Publishers Weekly"
"[A] marvelously atmospheric portrait of the bygone newspaper trade and an engaging cast of characters sketched with the author s customary vigor welcome evidence that Doig, in his 70s, is more prolific and entertaining than ever." "Kirkus"
"Think "Shane "but with dueling journalists instead of gunfighters A stirring tale given a melancholic edge by the fading influence of print newspapers in our very different modern world." "Booklist"

"From the Hardcover edition.""

Praise ForSweet Thunder
"A remarkably solid and prolific novelist in the tradition of Wallace Stegner [Doig s] writing and characters are delightful." USA Today
"Doig, who holds a Ph.D. in history, is at his best in his historic novels, and he unspools this compelling tale among the clatter of typewriters and the 'sweet thunder' of printing presses Marvelous yet another Montana book worthy of Doig s prodigious talents." Seattle Times

Doig makes us feel a part of the very landscape and era about which he is writing while telling a story that keeps the pages turning Sweet Thunder stands alone beautifully and when combined with Doig s Whistling Season and Work Song makes a powerhouse trilogy that belongs on the bookshelf of any reader who enjoys the history of the West. Montana Magazine

"Ivan Doig is one of the finest novelists writing today Doig knows how to spin a tale, and he does so here with wonderful language that flows effortlessly from his rich and diverse characters after finishing this fine novel, one just wants more." Portland Oregonian
"There have been many charming rogues through literary history, and Mr. Doig brings us another one: Morrie Morgan Doig has a gift of making oddballs believable and lovable, as well as a gift for capturing place and personality in deft strokes an entertaining story at a high intellectual level." New York Journal of Books
"Filled with an abundance of rich characters it is Butte itself, a tough-fisted city of plungers and promoters, bootleggers and union workers, sharpers and window men and crooked boxers, that binds the story together. Doig re-creates one of America's legendary cities and fills it with characters to match." Denver Post
"Enchanting and different a great end of summer read." Bethanne Patrick, New York 1
"It is always a pleasure to read Ivan Doig, who is consistently able to capture the innocence of another era. It is an innocence that, living in today s world, seems fairy tale-like in the telling. But again, that is what Doig has done exceptionally well throughout his 12 novels, which stand more like bridges to the past than mere tales conjured from his imagination." Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star
"Not only are Morrie and his buddies fascinating characters, but so is Butte [Sweet Thunder] is a celebration of Doig s love of language and poetry." Helena Independent Record
"With a master storyteller s instincts and a dollop of wry humor, Doig evokes a perfect landscape of the past with a cast of memorable characters. A treasure of a novel." Library Journal (starred review)
"[A] stirring tale of greed, corruption, and the power of past sins Doig's attention to detail, both historical and concerning characters of his own creation, is as sharp as ever. Long-time fans will recognize familiar names from previous novels and readers both seasoned and new will fall under the spell of Doig's Big Sky Country." Publishers Weekly
"[A] marvelously atmospheric portrait of the bygone newspaper trade and an engaging cast of characters sketched with the author s customary vigor welcome evidence that Doig, in his 70s, is more prolific and entertaining than ever." Kirkus
"Think Shane but with dueling journalist...

About the Author:

Often called the dean of writers about the American West, Ivan Doig is the author of such national bestsellers asThe Whistling Season and The Bartender's Tale. His work has been translated into Spanish, Japanese, German, and Finnish, and his honors include seven regional booksellers awards, the Evans Biography Prize, and the Wallace Stegner Award, among others. He lives in Seattle.


Often called the dean of writers about the American West, Ivan Doig is the author of such national bestsellers asThe Whistling Season and The Bartender's Tale. His work has been translated into Spanish, Japanese, German, and Finnish, and his honors include seven regional booksellers awards, the Evans Biography Prize, and the Wallace Stegner Award, among others. He lives in Seattle.

About this edition

• Publisher: Riverhead Books
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1594487340
• ISBN 13: 9781594487347
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 305