Saturday, October 9, 2010

"Everything" by Kevin Canty

Everything, by Kevin Canty, reminded me of Jim Harrison, one of my favorite authors.  The setting is rural Montana and the characters are physically tough but emotionally vulnerable.  June has been grieving for her dead husband, Taylor, for 11 years, and has decided that she is done with being "the widow."  R. L., Taylor's best friend, is regretting his failed marriage and offers hospitality to a former girlfriend who is dying of cancer with little support from her own husband.  Meanwhile, Layla, R. L.'s daughter, becomes involved with Edgar, a married employee of R. L., with predictable results.  All of these characters struggle to come to terms with grief and loneliness.

Others have compared Canty's writing to Hemingway's, and Richard Ford's, and I see where they're coming from.  It's very direct.

My rating:  **** (out of 5)