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111th out of 154 books
—
34 voters
Remember Ben Clayton
From the author of the acclaimed best seller The Gates of the Alamo, a new novel that confirms and enlarges Stephen Harrigan’s reputation as a major voice in American fiction.
Francis “Gil” Gilheaney is a sculptor of boundless ambition. But bad fortune and his own prideful spirit have driven him from New York into artistic exile in Texas just after World War I. His adult da...more
Francis “Gil” Gilheaney is a sculptor of boundless ambition. But bad fortune and his own prideful spirit have driven him from New York into artistic exile in Texas just after World War I. His adult da...more
Hardcover, 368 pages
Published
May 24th 2011
by Knopf
(first published May 10th 2011)
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This book was, by far, the best novel I have read in years! If I could give is six stars I would. All of the charcters were fully developed, each with their hidden backstories and emotional secrets. The story envelops you into the time and place and inserts you into the storyline as if you were really there. Stephen Harrigan is a very talented writer and this novel is worthy of consideration for one of the major book awards. I recommend it very highly.
This was a really intriguing novel about families, war, loss, and art. Harrigan succeeds in getting us involved in a dual story about Ben Clayton and the artist who will capture him for all time in the Texas wild country, Gil Gilheaney. One of the more interesting characters is Gilheaney's daughter, who comes into her own as an artist and sculptor after failing to help her father in his quest. It is fascinating to see how art is stymied by arthritis (a nice pun for those who are looking for it)...more
A friend, who is an avid reader, encouraged me to read Stephen Harrigan's latest book. I had read none of his earlier works. Since she and I have very similar interests, I decided to check it out at my library and read it.
This was a wonderful historical fiction work that dealt with Texas immediately after WWI. I live in Texas and am quite familiar with Texas history, but the information was entirely new to me even though I live in the same area. I was also completely unfamiliar with the work of...more
This was a wonderful historical fiction work that dealt with Texas immediately after WWI. I live in Texas and am quite familiar with Texas history, but the information was entirely new to me even though I live in the same area. I was also completely unfamiliar with the work of...more
This is a 1920s novel by Stephen Harrigan about a NYC sculptor commissioned by a Texas rancher to create a memorial statue of his son, who died in WWI. Sculptor and rancher are both deeply flawed fathers, and their relationships with their children is a major theme. Folks, keeping secrets from your children is selfish and destructive. I'm not usually a big fan of fiction, and the plot in "Remember Ben Clayton" was sometimes less than believable. But the characters (and their respective dialogs)...more
Since I have been going through some grief presently, I very much related to the depth of feeling in the characters. each had his/her own mourning to work through and secrets from the past to face. one charcater compared her own secrets to her father's and found that "her secrets were not gravely held, but simply her own business" (p. 320). another character comissions a statue of his son who died in The War knowing that the statue won't bring his son back, but wanting it anyway. That statue, st...more
I give a lot of 5 star reviews and this book makes me wish I didn't. It makes all of my other 5 stars seem more like 4.5. It's a special story, and I highly recommend it. Great suggestion for a book club; lots to discuss. The artist and his daughter, the lonely rancher and his grief, the broken and badly damaged young surviving friend exiled in France after the Great War- all have their stories to tell and somehow everything comes to a head during the creation of a statue of Ben Clayton, who was...more
I'd actually give this book an extra half star, if I could. it's so layered and deep, it examines the lives of two men, two fathers, one wanting a statue to memorialize his son, killed in france during ww1, and the other the sculptor he hires to do the work. both men have compicated pasts, and complicated relationships with their children. it takes you from the bloody warfields of europe to the rough and ready life of the early settlers of texas and the indian wars. it's a story that stays with...more
This is a magnificent novel! It’s old-fashioned in the sense that it’s not fancy or “meta” or framed in a way that makes 1920 feel like it’s inhabited by Generation Y. The writing is compelling and honest--as are the characterizations in the way they naturally evolve from the complexities of human relationships and the effects of individual histories. The descriptive language is especially skillful in convincing us of the “chromatic dead zone” that equally applies to both West Texas and the dorm...more
If it were possible to give Stephen Harrigan’s novel six stars, I would. I have not been able to stop thinking about “Remember Ben Clayton” since putting it down a final time. It is so moving, with a kind of West Texas majesty that reminds us of what the west was like not that long ago.
And it is readable—compulsively so. I was a huge fan of Harrigan’s earlier “Gates of the Alamo” so I was aware of his writer’s skill. “Ben Clayton” is even more nuanced and complex. The story is this: noted San An...more
And it is readable—compulsively so. I was a huge fan of Harrigan’s earlier “Gates of the Alamo” so I was aware of his writer’s skill. “Ben Clayton” is even more nuanced and complex. The story is this: noted San An...more
This book was a rare find. I read it with trepidation as it did not seem like a story line that would be interesting. My book club is reading it and the author is coming to the meeting so I gave it a try. It is about a rancher who hires a sculptor to erect a statue of his son who died in France fighting in World War I. There are several subplots involving the son's friend in the war and the sculptors daughter. The development of the characters was extraordinary especially that of the dead boy's...more
"Remember Ben Clayton" is simply an outstanding novel. The book tells the story of how a sculpture of Ben Clayton, killed in World War I, is created for his bereaved father, Lamar. Sounds kind of dull, right? Trust me on this, it is anything but boring. The story moves forward with a momentum and vibrancy I've seldom encountered in fiction. At times humorous, at times historical, and some times, ineffably sad. Harrigan is in top form. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
I picked this up after reading an interesting excerpt in a newspaper section highlighting Texas writers. I'm so glad I did! Beautifully written, this novel examines a difficult and increasingly-forgotten time period: WWI and the flu epidimic. We are introduced to the art of sculpture, horrific Indian raids, Texas ranching, and a war-torn France, all without realizing we are immersed in a fascinating history lesson. I will definitely look for more from author Stephen Harrigan.
Harrigan's novel lets the characters develop and take shape slowly, much as the process of sculpting the commissioned statue of a Texas rancher's dead son does. Unlikely elements and people braid together in this fine story. It's a heart-breaking tale about the devastating power of secrets and the relationships between fathers and their children. I loved the setting of San Antonio and west Texas. Harrigan's meticulous research makes every detail ring true, whether it's about sculpting, restoring...more
The first amazing book I've read this year. I was a bit apprehensive I would be let down reading this as I remember Gates of the Alamo being so terrific but Stephen Harrigan did not disappoint. He has a way of making his characters so real and understandable. I also really enjoyed his setting, both the time period of just after WWI and the cities in Texas. This is one of those novels that is engrossing. Don't rush through it but savor every word!
Here is a great Texan story perhaps based on reality. Sculpture and WWII are the main subjects. I loved his portrayal of the different subjects especially that of the old "George's Mary". The relationship between her and one of the grumpy old men (Lamar Clayton) is truly precious. I learned a lot about the art of making a life size statue and about ranching. and Indians.
Disclaimer: I had to read this as a book club selection. Had a difficult time getting to chapter 5. Harrigan is a highly praised author but I find his slow descriptions and still characters dull and lifeless. It took halfway through the book for me to invest any emotion in the feelings of the sculptor and his daughter but wanted to hear more about the war experiences of Ben and his friend Arthur.
Jul 28, 2011
Myron Brown
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
War buffs, Those with an interest in early 20th century art, literary fiction fans
The actions of parents affect their children whether they realize it or not. While the backdrop of Remember Ben Clayton is the post-World War I landscape, this book is about the relations between parents and their children. Despite the best attempts at keeping secrets from each other, those secrets do have an effect.
I would have rated it a four, but then I read The Art of Fielding and I liked it much better. My mom really liked this one. Maybe I'll read it again sometime, or probably not. Too many great books to read.
Beautiful writing, story and characters. Rancher loses his son in WWI and wants to have a famous sculptor cast his son in bronze and mounted where no one can see it. parent/child relationships. Excellent.
Harrigan's Gates of the Alamo was a sweeping epic, this one, while big in historical scope, is also more intimate and personal, and the characters will stay with you a long time. Beautiful writer.
Sep 26, 2011
Observations
added it
Horses, Machine Guns, Frontal Nudity, Art, Texas, France, Trench Warfare & Comanche Raids..
Fathers and Sons, Fathers and Daughters, ...
Waht more do you need?
Fathers and Sons, Fathers and Daughters, ...
Waht more do you need?
sculpture, secrets, texas, france, world war II, father-daughter relationship, father-son relationship, whites, Indians, more secrets and lies
This book was about a boy who was killed in WW1. His father hires a man to make a statue of his boy. Good story and kept my interest.
I loved this book! I won't write too much about the plot because I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but it was just so good. An unraveling...
Francis Gilheany--sculptor, transplant from NYC to San Antonio, looking for his sculptural legacy
Maureen--daughter of Gil, sculptor in her own right, struggling to find her place in a world dominated by her father and his work
Lamar Clayton-- TX cattleman, taciturn, hard-headed, filled with secrets
Ben Clayton--Lamar's only son, died in the war
George's Mary...more
Francis Gilheany--sculptor, transplant from NYC to San Antonio, looking for his sculptural legacy
Maureen--daughter of Gil, sculptor in her own right, struggling to find her place in a world dominated by her father and his work
Lamar Clayton-- TX cattleman, taciturn, hard-headed, filled with secrets
Ben Clayton--Lamar's only son, died in the war
George's Mary...more
One of the best stories I have ever read! I identified with them and wanted to follow them as long as I could!
One of the better books I've ever read. Seriously. Beautiful and haunting. I can't possibly recommend it enough.
This complex novel struck me as an odd cross between Crossing To Safety and All the Pretty Horses. Very well done!
I get the feeling it would have been good if I had been able to stick with it.
A very compelling read, the kind of book you don't want to put down.
I had read one of Harrigan's books, so I was prepared for a good work. I really enjoyed this book. Good Texas story and some well-presented characters.
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Feb 06, 2012 09:36am