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Crawfish Mountain: A Novel
by
Ken Wells
Ken Wells’s highly acclaimed picaresque Catahoula Bayou novels introduced “one of the most compelling voices in fiction of the last decade” (Los Angeles Times). Now Wells is back, writing about his favorite subject–the exotic, beleaguered Louisiana wetlands–in a sharp, rollicking tale of corporate corruption and political shenanigans. The fight over one man’s tract of sacr...more
Hardcover, 384 pages
Published
December 18th 2008
by Random House
(first published October 23rd 2007)
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After finishing this book I did a little research on Ken Wells and just as I thought, the fictional "Black Bayou" community is patterned on my home town of Houma. The French names such at Petrie were, of course, familiar as they are all over the Cajun Bayou, but when the author mentioned "Ellinder" I knew. I was born in Ellinder Hospital in Houma!
I also discovered that Ken Wells worked as a journalist in Florida which explains the tone and genre of the book. R...more
I also discovered that Ken Wells worked as a journalist in Florida which explains the tone and genre of the book. R...more
I had a great time reading this book, as I was vey familiar with the locale and culture in which it takes place; I'm not sure what my reaction would have been if I were not. It was, in any case, a fun story with a vey important message. I hope that this book helps to achieve broader recognition of the serious problem of the loss of the La. wetlands.
I think that the portrayal of the cajun culture was accurate, but it was laid on a little thick; e.g. every meal eaten in So. La. is not ...more
I think that the portrayal of the cajun culture was accurate, but it was laid on a little thick; e.g. every meal eaten in So. La. is not ...more
A sweet story that takes place in Louisiana. It has a satisfying and hopelessly romantic ending. Written in the style of Carl Hiaasen's book of Florida corruption amidst heartwarming stories, Wells pulls off the same tone and feel. It almost made me interested in taking an up close look at the swamps. Almost.
Another to add to my list of books that I've read recently with a little too much going on for one story. The characters were a little to stereotypical Cajun, but it was still an interesting read.
A political, satirical pageturner about a serious subject - read for Bill's reading group at the time of the oil spill in the Gulf - totally unplanned timing but very appropriate.
This book has it all - romance, suspense, environmental issues, gorgeous scenery & some really bad guys.
This book was great. If you know anything about Cajun life, you will get a real kick out of it.
Without being preachy, Wells has created an argument for coastal wetlands preservation in southern Louisiana. As with his other books, he has introduced a colorful cast of characters and kept the plot moving along at a nice pace. He has also demonstrated what needs to happen for wilderness preservation/conservation projects to really take off -- a meeting of the minds between varied interest groups, who normally might not have too much in common, in the efforts of protecting a resource that th...more
I had read Meely LaBauve by Ken Wells and liked the style, so I thought I'd read another of his books. This was not nearly up to the standard. It could have been written by a high school student who knew Louisana well. What a disappointment. I stuck with it and read the whole thing, but I can't understand why I did. Characters were shallow, dialog was silly and predictable. The ending was the worst! Everything fit so neatly it made me sick!
I'm not sure what attracted me to the book but I enjoyed it somewhat, mostly for the exploration of Louisiana culture. It's an entertaining book that is suspenseful but it's over the top with the message it's trying to get across: protection of LA's wetlands. I totally agree with that but I like authors to be more subtle with their agendas.
Very charming tale of a small city in Bayou country. Big-city politics mix with backwoods heros. Ken Wells is very familiar with his characters and can paint an excellent portrait.
The author had a good story line with the oil companies versus the marsh. But, he over-did the Louisiana politics and the characters. The story was too far-fetched.
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Good ole'boys meet Oil Co. politics and greed in La. Real good so far.I finished it and am still of the same opinion.It was fun
This book is pretty slow to start. Eventually, (about 2/3rds into the book it gets very good. It just takes awhile to get there.
Leslie
rated it
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
ppl from Louisiana
Shelves:
fiction,
audiobooks
I would only read this book if you are really into Louisiana politics or the oil industry. I didn't care much for it.
It wasn't quite the zaniness of Carl Hiaasen but not a bad Cajun version of that fun, with good guys to root for.
Great book, easy read. Think Cajuns would appreciate this one.
A little predictable but still a good night stand book
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