Reading this story made me wonder again what are the stories we want to tell about our country's history and the people who settled the west? Doig reminds us that many of the homesteaders were intelligent, inquisitive and adventurous, all willing to work harder than most of us can imagine to live a full life and what we came to call the American dream - to claim land of their own. This novel reminds me of Wallace Stegner in the way the author richly describes the life of the mind of the characters. It reminds me Heartland by Haruf - although their is no central tragedy to pull the characters lives together. There is a rich and quiet humor but I feel he has simplified the story greatly - it is also much like the stories of Fred Chappell (southern) I Am One of You Forever, or Farewll, I'm bound to Leave You - strong stories of place. I need to think on this one some more.