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80th out of 2,590 books
—
900 voters
The Power of the Dog
First published in 1967, Thomas Savage's western novel about two brothers and the competition between them when one marries now includes an afterword by Annie Proulx.
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
June 1st 2001
by Back Bay Books
(first published January 1st 1967)
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Any book that begins with castration oughta be interesting, right? Nope. Couldn't stay with this one.
Of the books I have read in the past 6 months this one is easily the champion...with a conclusion that is so fitting and so ASTOUNDING my mind was literally blown. Amazing novel. Read it, read it, read it!
This is one heck of a novel. Set on a Montana ranch in 1924-25, it tells of a domestic drama involving two brothers and the tensions that quickly develop when one of them marries a widow with a teenage son. The driving emotional force in the novel (and the "dog" of the title) is the older, unmarried brother, a fascinating study in western machismo, who is both sharply intelligent and capable of merciless cruelty, all apparently masking a fiercely denied homosexuality. The opening scene of the no...more
This was impressive, and more than a little disturbing.
It gives my reading year a certain logic, starting with Revlutionary road and finishing with The power of the dog, both about the power of destruction poeple have in a close relationship, and both perfectly constructed with a key ending.(even more Savage book)
I love novel with a beautifull doom mechanic, with short stories like little pieces of machinery leading impossible situation, the self entrapment. How hatred or love slowly built and b...more
It gives my reading year a certain logic, starting with Revlutionary road and finishing with The power of the dog, both about the power of destruction poeple have in a close relationship, and both perfectly constructed with a key ending.(even more Savage book)
I love novel with a beautifull doom mechanic, with short stories like little pieces of machinery leading impossible situation, the self entrapment. How hatred or love slowly built and b...more
Wow - this was a surprise! Even though this novel was published in 1967, it is not dated in any way. Set in 1920s Montana on a wealthy ranch, all is not well as it may seem. The two main characters are brothers who appear to be polar opposites and are left as adults to run the family ranch when their east coast transplant parents leave the ranch for Salt Lake City and the good life they are accustomed to. The younger, weaker brother decides to break out of his shell and make some decisions of hi...more
I'm learning that the western genre is not really for me. The Power of the Dog takes place on the windy plains of Montana in the 20's. Two brothers - both repressed in their own way - are millionaires, but live a quasi rugged life on a ranch. Phil, the eldest, is a bully and hates "sissies" and "Jews" (and anyone who's not exactly like him for that matter). His younger brother, George, is a bit more forgiving and humane and ends up marrying a widow, getting a sickly (and somewhat nerdy and sissy...more
"Set in 1920s Montana, this compelling domestic drama tells the story of two brothers, very different in personality and temprament, working a large wealthy ranch. The balance is upset when the calm sensitive brother marries and brings his new wife and her son to the ranch. Annie Proulx says in her introduction,"....a psyychological study freighted with drama and tension, unusual in dealing with a topic rarely discussed in that period; repressed homosexuality displayed as homophobia in masculine...more
My friend JoAnne discovered this book on her bookshelf, purchased and later forgotten, from a library book sale. She discovered it two weeks ago and enthusiastically read it and recommended it to me. I can't thank her enough. This is an incredible book in the Western Landscape genre. Don't confuse it with just another cowboy book. It's complex characters, plot, and resolution are enough to keep one reading late into the night. I would give this book more than 5 stars. Make sure you read the vers...more
Un roman troublant sur les non-dits, les phrases insidieuses qui assassinent les autres quand notre propre bonheur ne peut être assumé, par jalousie, par envie, par frustration. Roman qui commence crûment avec la castration des veaux dans un ranch à la fin des années 20. Deux frères donc, deux personnalités opposées, que l'auteur nous peint lentement, en demie-teinte, nous laissant deviner plus que ce qu'il ne nous dévoile.
This is a slow-burn of a story with the brothers’ relationship at the heart of the tale. We know Phil has a mean heart from the get-go and what happens to him at the end is both expected and shocking. There’s actually not a lot of plot here, just a lot of daily life with details about ranch life in the early decades of the century. What the story does have, and has in spades, is character.
When I first read about this book I just knew my Goodreads rating was going to be a five. Especially with phrases like "compelling domestic drama", "intense passion and cruelty" and "ethos of the American West" describing it. Alas, it's only a three. But a really solid three. The landscape is prevalent, the characters well drawn; especially psychologically so. There's plenty of tension, and there's one really mean SOB. It's an older book, rediscovered I think, and will be enjoyed by those who en...more
The tension in this book really drew me in. The character of Phil is so compelling it commands reaction from everyone in his presence. He is at once admirable for not fearing the scorn of others and contemptable for cruelly pointing out others' foibles. Savage outdoes cowboy westerns by creating more palpable tension with conversation and domestic situations than others create with gunfights. He makes powerful use of a character withholding speech when there is a palpable expectation that someth...more
Brutal and beautiful look at life on a Montana ranch in the 1920s. If I ever need to simulate an anxiety attack, I'll think about what happens when the governor comes over for dinner. One of the most powerful books I've ever read (and it has nothing to do with dogs).
This is a very realistic, gritty portrayal of life on a Montana ranch at the turn of the century. The characters are well drawn, vivid and despicable. But somehow you can't stop reading. The writing style reminded me a lot of Hemingway and John Cheever.
A friend of a friend said this was her all-time favorite book. I was intrigued as I had never read anything by Thomas Savage. I was scared to read the ending but could not put the book down. He is a spare and precise writer. I loved the book.
I had never heard of this author until Sandy passed this amazing book on to me. Warning: despite the title, this is not a dog story! The plot lives somewhere in the nexus of Brokeback Mountain, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, and Water for Elephants.
What a magnificent voice, a tragically under-celebrated writer of life in Montana. I thought it had the perfect ending. (But what the heck is that cover image?)From reading Thomas Savage a person could learn how to write.
Riveting story about 2 brothers who share a ranch in Montana. Their lives change dramatically when one of the brothers marries, shaking up the dynamics of the household. The characters are vividly drawn.
Jan 18, 2013
John Tucker
added it
Enjoyed the book. Set on a big ranch in southwestern Montana in early 1920's. Great character development. One of those books that grows on you after you read it. Need to read more of his books.
Holy shit I loved this book. The voice, the complexity of the villain, the landscape, the conflict, the heightening tension, the ending. Perfection. One of my all-time faves.
Another bought on sale book. This one had a bit more depth to its characters and plot. Very satisfying ending. Nothing to do with a dog. sorry Marley lovers.
This was a fantastic story. Set in the 1920s on a large ranch in Montana, it is of two brothers and the disruption caused by the marriage of one. At first, all I seemed to do was to seriously dislike Phil...the one who, as the author says late in the book, 'learned to loathe life before it loathed him'....a bright man, but not in touch with his sexual identity and very cruel. His brother, George is as kind as Phil is mean. George marries widow Rose, a good woman who feels useless on the ranch,...more
Jan 20, 2008
Sonny
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people who like dramas, character studies and the Old West
This is a subtle book about mayhem. I found it particularly intriguing as a western saga set about 200 miles outside of Salt Lake City in 1925. Certainly this is an interesting time post WWI and pre-depression as the country is regaining its balance and finding its way in the industrial age. But all that is merely backdrop for this story that evolves around the odd characters in a family of prosperous ranchers. Although there are cowboys and Indians, this is no Western in the traditional sense....more
Funniest part of this book was that some people in my book club read a book by the same title - very different story!
This is one of the best books I have read. Every page is excellent. I love his writing. Highly recommend.
Psycho goes Western, young man. Brotherly love goes under when a Femme Fatale and her son ride into town....
A true joy. Stumbled across it, knowing nothing of the book or author. Great writing; great story.
Absolutely loved this book. Could not put it down. Great discovery on JoAnne's bookshelf!
I have been reading this book for a while. When It gets harsh, I have to let it rest.
I found this to be an incredibly powerful novel. As I read, I had no doubt that tragedy loomed ahead, yet the last ten pages or so took me completely by surprise. I really liked Savage's writing style, too. It's stark and direct and brutally honest. His careful rendering of time and place is reminiscent of John Steinbeck, with a touch of Willa Cather thrown in, and in Phil Burbank, Savage has created one of the most unlikable yet fascinating characters ever. A great read, one I'm sure I'll conti...more
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Author of 13 novels published between 1944 and 1988. He is best known for his Western novels, which drew on early experiences in the American West.
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“Deliver my soul from the sword,
my darling from the power of the dog.”
—
3 people liked it
More quotes…
my darling from the power of the dog.”
Oct 08, 2011 03:00pm
Ooof! That's no bull. :D)
Oct 08, 2011 04:51pm