English Creek

The Montana Trilogy, Book 1

By: Ivan Doig

Narrated by: Scott Sowers

Part of Ivan Doig’s acclaimed Montana trilogy, English Creek revolves around Jick McCaskill, a 14-year-old growing up in 1930s Montana. This incandescent coming-of-age tale dramatizes the climatic events of one summer that inevitably mark Jick’s awakening from childhood to adulthood. Through his eyes we see those nearest and dearest to him at a turning point - "where all four of our lives made their bend" - and discover along with him his own connection to the land, to history, and to the deep-fathomed mysteries of one's kin and one's self.

©1984 Ivan Doig (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Sheer magic...simply a national treasure." ( USA Today)

Good story

There are places where the action moves slowly but if you hang in there you’ll be rewarded by a great sort. I would recommend this book

Making a living on Montana’s prairie.

Very entertaining story with dry humor of a family living on Montana’s prairie. Great character development!

A favorite Doig tale

This may be my favorite among all the Ivan Doig stories. Told from the perspective of a 14 year old boy who lived the life in the 1930s Montana mountains. A great story well told.

Long but interesting story of life in the 30’s and 40’s out west.

Enjoyed the narrator and all the little tales of family life and the way things were.

Read this as book two and Dancing as book one

I read "Dancing at the Rascal Fair" as a stand alone book, not realizing it was part of a trilogy. "Dancing" is a 5 star read and a gem of a book. It is also the true beginning of the trilogy. After reading "Dancing," I wanted more about the family and what happened to them. I read "Prairie Nocturne" which followed a side character and didn't satisfy the itch. This is what I should have read. Although, I have no clue why Doig chose to make it the first book of the trilogy, it is actually the second book chronologically and makes a lot more sense to read second. Having read "Dancing," I picked up on subtleties and relationships that I wouldn't have caught at all if I had read this first. "English Creek" starts slowly and the plot lazes along, just a 3.5 star read for me, but it was the salve for my itch of wanting more after "Dancing." Glad I found it.

Great Story

Characters one can care about. Realist, down-to-earth story. All three books in the trilogy are well written. Graphic descriptions of Montana without bogging the story.

Simple in the best sort of way

Doig's portrayal of the characters transported me straight into their world. I frequently found myself laughing out loud to the various thoughts and conversations that were had throughout. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Doig!

My favorite author. I'm listening to these again after 25 years....and picking it more information.

Love Doig

I discovered Ivan Doig a few years ago and thoroughly enjoy his writing. characters and stories. it is authentic. thoughtful writing...engaging and enjoyable. So glad to have found him.

While I am an Ivan Doig fan

This book was not as enjoyable as others. Read the Whistling Season trilogy. This one had too much description and not enough story.