English Creek
English Creek
Book Brief
Beta352
Novel • Fiction
Montana • 1930s
2005
Adult
14-18 years
Super Short Summary
English Creek by Ivan Doig follows a young person named Jick McCaskill during the summer of 1939 in Montana. As Jick navigates family dynamics and local community challenges, he gains insight into adulthood and the complexities of life in the rural American West. The story captures the landscape and spirit of this transformative period.
Contemplative
Nostalgic
Melancholic
Heartwarming
Serene
Reviews & Readership
7,081 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Ivan Doig's English Creek is lauded for its vivid depiction of Montana's rural landscape and profound exploration of family dynamics. The novel's richly drawn characters and historical context are praised, although some critics find the pacing slow. Overall, it offers a deep, immersive experience into 1930s America, balancing heart and history.
Who Should Read English Creek?
Readers who enjoy English Creek by Ivan Doig are often drawn to richly detailed, character-driven narratives set in the American West, similar to Wallace Stegner's Angle of Repose. Fans of coming-of-age stories entwined with family and historical themes, akin to Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It, would appreciate this novel.
7,081 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
English Creek is the first novel in Ivan Doig's Montana Trilogy, which is set in the fictional Two Medicine Country of Montana and reflects his deep personal connection to the region.
Ivan Doig, known for his rich portrayals of Montana life, drew inspiration from his own childhood experiences in the Rocky Mountain Front, an area that features prominently in English Creek.
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The cover of the first edition of English Creek features a landscape painting by Russell Chatham, a well-known artist whose work often captures the essence of the American West.
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352
Novel • Fiction
Montana • 1930s
2005
Adult
14-18 years
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