George Getschow

Pastures of the Empty Page, edited by George Getschow, far surpassed my modest expectations. The modest part is a statement about how much I generally enjoy books like this, not about this book in particular. This book will appeal to a wide range of readers, whether big fans of McMurtry or not.

This collection of essays/remembrances is, as you would expect, largely in praise of the writer. For readers who simply like to read about mentorship, formal or informal, this is a fascinating collection. Yet what we also get is a snapshot, or perhaps a series of snapshots, of a human being who happens to be a writer. Even any phrases that might give us pause ("his women") becomes a reflection of someone who uses such a phrase without the usual expected possessiveness.

His weaknesses or flaws (if anyone wants to judge that harshly) are presented in ways that show him to be very much like the rest of us with our own foibles. Maybe not appreciated by everyone but certainly accepted by those who matter.

I think I might prefer this to an actual biography of McMurtry. His writing was hit or miss with me, I tended to either get pulled in or not care, though it was never about his writing, just a case of personal preference. This collection tells me most of what I would want to know about him, told by those with whom he shared his ideas, his time, and his compassion. I imagine that for those who loved his work even more, this will whet your appetite for a more detailed biography.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (mais)