The Mountain and the Fathers: Growing Up in the Big Dry

Set against the backdrop of the harsh Big Dry in eastern Montana, the narrative delves into the lives of boys and men shaped by loss, violence, and rural poverty. Joe Wilkins reflects on his upbringing after his father's death, intertwining his story with those of others in the community. The memoir challenges traditional notions of manhood and myth in the American West, emphasizing the power of storytelling as a means of resilience and hope. It resonates with the literary style of Norman Maclean and Jim Harrison, promising to be a significant contribution to contemporary literature.