Far Bright Star
Apr 13, 2011
Author: Robert Olmstead
Publisher: Aglonquin
Publication Date: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-56512-980-1
This book is on the Algonquin Book Club reading list and I can certainly see why. I was wowed by this story. To me this book was on par with Lonesome Dove (which I adore), without the humor. There's no lightheartedness in this book, but it ripples with emotion. A slim book that takes place within a two week time period - it was impossible to put down. Though the book is slightly over 200 pages, the characters were nicely fleshed out and it was easy to form attachments.
Napoleon and Xenophon have been with the army since they became men. Napoleon guides the men and Xenophone controls and trains the horses in the units. They are brothers who understand each other completely and words are never needed when they work as a team.
It's 1916 and they're in Mexico looking to hunt down Pancho Villa. When Napoleon takes his small troop out on patrol he has a bad feeling about how the day is going to end. He couldn't be more right. What follows is a graphically violent event that leaves the reader to wonder how anyone could possibly survive. Not only survive but come out mentally unscathed.It's impossible to put the book down and leave yourself wondering what happens next.
The Dew highly recommends this book.
