Staff Pick
What would you give up for someone you love? For George and Margaret Blackledge, that answer is: everything. Set in North Dakota in 1951, the Blackledges leave home, security, and safety behind in order to retrieve their grandson from a situation they deem untenable. Unfortunately, George and Margaret are up against overwhelming forces, and they begin to realize that they are in way, way too deep. Watson writes a masterful tale so heartbreaking and so sorrowful, it hurts to read it. Yet, at the same time, it is a gorgeous story about family, unconditional love, and sacrifice. Let Him Go is absolutely perfect. Recommended By Dianah H., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Larry Watson Goes Grisly. Larry Watsons 9th book,
Let Him Go is vintage Watson in that the setting is Montana and the 50s, but this book is more
No Country for Old Men than
American Graffiti, replete with menace and severed limbs. A retired sheriff and his wife go after their young grandson in a riveting tale of familial love and its unexpected consequences. Called brilliant” by reviewers, booksellers and writers, this book is sure to please old and new fans.
Dalton, North Dakota, September 1951: It's been years since George and Margaret Blackledge lost their son James when he was thrown from a horse; months since his widow Lorna took off with their only grandson and married Donnie Weboy. Margaret is steadfast, resolved to find and retrieve her grandson Jimmythe one person in this world keeping Jamess memory alivewhile George, a retired sheriff, is none too eager to stir up trouble.
Unable to sway his wife from her mission, George takes to the road with Margaret by his side, traveling through the Dakota badlands to Gladstone, Montana. When Margaret tries to convince Lorna to return home to North Dakota and bring little Jimmy with her, the Blackledges find themselves entangled with the entire Weboy clan, who are determined not to give up the boy without a fight.
From the author who brought us Montana 1948, Let Him Go is pitch-perfectgutsy and unwavering. Speaking to the extraordinary measures we take for family and the overpowering instinct to protect those we love, Larry Watson is at his storytelling finest in this unforgettable return to the American West.
Review
"
Let Him Go is as commanding as its title: you will be immediately gripped by the narrow-eyed, big-hearted pursuit of a child in danger. This is a literary thriller of the highest order on par with Daniel Woodrell's
Winter's Bone an unrelenting quest through an unforgiving landscape and deadly family web." Benjamin Percy, author of
Red Moon and
The WildingSynopsis
Coming Soon as a Major Motion Picture from Focus Features, Starring Kevin Costner and Diane Lane Winner of the Montana Book Award A September 2013 Indie Next List Pick A Midwest Connections Pick Named a "Best Book of 2013" by Esquire and Booklist The celebrated author of Montana 1948 returns to the American West in this riveting tale of familial love and its unexpected consequences.
Dalton, North Dakota. It's September 1951: years since George and Margaret Blackledge lost their son when he was thrown from a horse; months since his widow left with their only grandson and married another man. Margaret is resolved to find and retrieve her beloved grandson, while George, a retired sheriff, is none too eager to stir up trouble.
Unable to sway his wife from her mission, George takes to the road with Margaret by his side, traveling through the Badlands to Montana. But when Margaret tries to bring little Jimmy home, the Blackledges find themselves entangled with the Weboy clan, who are determined not to give up the boy without a fight.
Pitch-perfect, gutsy, unwavering, and "both restrained and exquisite" (Chicago Tribune), Larry Watson is at his storytelling finest in this unforgettable return to the American West.
Synopsis
Now a Major Motion Picture from Focus Features, Starring Kevin Costner and Diane Lane
The celebrated author of Montana 1948 returns to the American West in this riveting tale of familial love and its unexpected consequences.
Dalton, North Dakota. It's September 1951: years since George and Margaret Blackledge lost their son when he was thrown from a horse; months since his widow left with their only grandson and married another man. Margaret is resolved to find and retrieve her beloved grandson, while George, a retired sheriff, is none too eager to stir up trouble.
Unable to sway his wife from her mission, George takes to the road with Margaret by his side, traveling through the Badlands to Montana. But when Margaret tries to bring little Jimmy home, the Blackledges find themselves entangled with the Weboy clan, who are determined not to give up the boy without a fight.
Pitch-perfect, gutsy, unwavering, and both restrained and exquisite (Chicago Tribune), Larry Watson is at his storytelling finest in this unforgettable return to the American West.
Synopsis
A retired sheriff and his wife go after their young grandson in a riveting tale of familial love and its unexpected consequences.
Let Him Go, Larry Watsons ninth book, returns to big sky country in mid-century America but, with the pervasive menace of a small town family gone wrong and a shocking and deadly ending, this novel charts new territory for the author and provides a powerful dose of suspense for the reader. It's been years since George and Margaret Blackledge lost their son James and months since his widow Lorna took off with their only grandson and married Donnie Weboy. Margaret is resolved to find and retrieve the boy while George is none too eager to stir up trouble. Soon, the Blackledges find themselves entangled with the entire Weboy clan, who are determined not to give up the boy without a fight.
About the Author
The author of many novels, including
Montana 1948 and
Orchard,
Larry Watson is the recipient of the Milkweed National Fiction Prize, among numerous other prizes and awards. He teaches writing and literature at Marquette University and lives in Milwaukee.