Readers' Review: "Train Dreams" by Denis Johnson
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-05-23/readers-review-train-dreams-denis-johnson
For the May Readers Review, we chose a work that was shortlisted for this year's Pulitzer Prize for fiction. It's a novella by Denis Johnson titled "Train Dreams." It begins in 1917 in the Idaho panhandle. The central character works the railroads and virgin forests that fueled America's push for economic progress. He experiences tragedy and wonder, and his life echoes the hardship and beauty of a nation on the cusp of radical change. He's quietly heroic, simply by surviving. Diane and her guests discuss this portrait of a man and a place, by the author of "Tree of Smoke," winner of the 2007 National Book Award.
Guests
Ron Charles
fiction editor, The Washington Post.
Michele Norris
of NPR's "All Things Considered"; author of "The Grace of Silence."
Eric Rutkow
attorney and historian; author of "American Canopy."
Related Items
](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Av74rRrlL._SL75_.jpg "Michele Norris'sThe Grace of Silence: A Memoir [Hardcover](2010)")
Read An Excerpt
Excerpted from TRAIN DREAMS by DENIS JOHNSON. Published in 2011 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, LLC. Copyright © 2002 by DENIS JOHNSON. All rights reserved.
Comments
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I completed "Train Dreams" the end of last week. I found the prose of this book to be exceptional and I remained involved through out the story. This is a bit of an accomplishment as I tend to get impatient with books when I find the style gets in the way of the story. Here the style supports the story admirably well.
I would like your guests to address the central theme of isolation in the book. The story begins in 1917, the year before our involvement in World War I and takes place in the panhandle of Idaho Panhandle. It tells the story of a man who lives a mostly solitary life and seems to have implications within the context of America emerging both as a world power and a literary contributor with it's own voice.
Thanks
Dennis
Charlottesville, VA.
I understand that the author used "Chinaman" to illustrate the casual racism common at the time of his novel. The commentators, however, ares speaking in 2012. They shouldn't use that horrible term unless they are quoting the book!
Speaking of companion books, I would recommend Conrad Richter's trilogy: The Trees, The Fields, and The Town (published 1940-1950).
One of your guests on this show just mentioned a particular novel by another writer as one of the best books he's ever read, another guest concurred that it was a good one, but I missed the name of the book or author. Was the author's last name Rash or Rasch, perhaps? Can someone pass along book and author?
Serena by Ron Rash. The commentator called it gothic.
I missed next months book. Could someone tell me?
thanks!
Could you pass the name of the novel on to me? I missed it, too.
I believe the selection for June is Tinkers, by Paul Harding. Enjoy!
A commentator said Grainier goes mad in the story. His point was there is a blurring of reality and fantasy. There are scenes suggesting this, yet there is a side of the story which suggests differently. This is my first reading of Johnson and I will say the commentator has an advantage over me. Here's my try:
The story begins just before America enters World War I. This war was the begining of the modern age. America stepped on the world stage by entering the war. Telephones and autos were becoming more prevalent as were street lamps.
Robert Frost's "Boy's Will" went to print in 1913 proclaiming an American voice in literature independent from it's many beginnings. The story begins the year before World War I in a period of transition. It offers a character who has no knowledge of his heritage.
Prior to the modern age it was acceptable to see dreams as real. In China Boxers rebelled against foreigners saying their diet, prayer, and use of maritial arts allowed them special powers like flying. I place the opening scene - part to suggest racism as it later is described - but also to show Grainier tied to the past as the present and future moves past him.
He could have a dream where his wife speaks to him. In this way he could have an expectation he would see his daughter again. He is open to elements of fantasy and meets others open to fantasy. He meets the man who is shot by his dog. Both characters treat the event as real.
I see Grainier less mad in the modern sense and more old fashioned in a 1917 sense. Here we address the notion of nature. As our way of life evolves, so does our nature. Perhaps Johnson intended to comment on this theme.
I meant also to add thanks of the information on next month's reading and that this was a great read and that I very much enjoyed the show.
Train Dreams and Today's show with Richard Ford were both stellar. I have blogged and emailed and facebooked several friends with a recommend.
I want to join Michelle Norris and the Wash Post reviewer chorus in strong recommendation of my friend Ron Rash for the hour asap for the Drshow. I will email; but Rash was raised 20 miles north of me just across the NC line from me in Upstate S.C. in a freelance article I interviewed Rash for a progressive Baptist Monthly that President Carter reads routinely.
And already got word to a NE Bama public library to get Train Dreams on the Way.