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Close Range
Close Range: Wyoming Stories | Annie Proulx
27 posts | 38 read | 16 to read
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning and bestselling author of The Shipping News and Accordion Crimes comes one of the most celebrated short story collections of our time.Annie Proulx's masterful language and fierce love of Wyoming are evident in these breathtaking tales of loneliness, quick violence, and the wrong kinds of love. Each of the stunning portraits in Close Range reveals characters fiercely wrought with precision and grace. These are stories of desperation and unlikely elation, set in a landscape both stark and magnificent -- by an author writing at the peak of her craft.
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review
Leniverse
Pickpick

The short story collection that gave us Brokeback Mountain. And what a bleak bunch it is. Although some of the stories have a bit of humour to them, they're basically showing how many ways you can die by disaster or misadventure in Wyoming. Makes for great reading, but it is definitely not selling Wyoming as a place I'd want to live, or visit, or even pass through 😆

julesG 🤣🤣🤣 9mo
30 likes1 comment
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Leniverse
Close Range | Annie Proulx
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Found in a charity shop. Weirdly it doesn't have an ISBN-number, just a CN-number. Supposedly used for book club books etc? There's nothing else to indicate it though, just published by QPD (Quality Paperbacks Direct, London) by arrangement with Fourth Estate Limited.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Close Range is a solid story collection exhibiting the harsh brutality of life in #Wyoming. Reading this, it‘s not hard to wonder why it‘s the state with the smallest population yet is 9th in total land area. There is some brief casual violence here and this definitely isn‘t for everyone, but I quite liked it.

#ReadingUSA2019

BarbaraBB Great review. Sounds interesting. 5y
ljuliel Great job 😊 5y
Librarybelle Great review! 5y
See All 8 Comments
Tamra I loved the collection! 5y
squirrelbrain Sounds like a good one - and another one ticked off the list! 5y
jessinikkip Sounds good, I may see if the library has a copy, I still need that state 5y
Hooked_on_books @jessinikkip Cool! The author is from Wyoming, so one of her novels would work as well if they don‘t have this one. 5y
41 likes8 comments
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Leftcoastzen
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#AnglophileApril #CloseToMe I have read some Proulx ,need to read some more .I‘m getting rid of all my books....April Fools!

Cinfhen Hahaha 6y
Cinfhen I believed you for a hot second 6y
vivastory 😂 6y
See All 6 Comments
Reviewsbylola I am too gullible so I‘m over April Fools. 😆 6y
RealBooks4ever Omg, my heart stopped for a sec! 😆💜 6y
emilyhaldi Hehehe 😆 6y
51 likes1 stack add6 comments
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MaureenMc
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Bailedbailed

Eesh. This book was so not for me. I made it halfway, because it was a book club pick and I really try to finish those. But after two of the stories made me physically ill, I decided to bail. (Only two of our members actually finished the book.) Too much ugliness without any apparent point, other than maybe anti-tourism. “Wyoming: You do NOT want to come here.”

mabell Great tag line! 😂😂 6y
24 likes1 comment
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wellreadredhead
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Hi, my name is Crystal and I have a serious book addiction. #bookhaul from 2nd & Charles‘ buy 5, get 5 free sale 😰

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Jabberwocky
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I‘m putting the actual quote under a spoiler due to graphic violence and gay violence.

I am so grateful that I live somewhere that it is safe for me to love my partner. I never forget that this is the way that my gay brothers and sisters have been treated in this country, as early as 50 years ago Even though there are laws to protect us here we can never forget what we have come from. #pride #queerbooks

Jabberwocky Jack, I dont want to be like the guys you see around sometimes. And I dont want a be dead. There was these two old guys ranched together down home, Earl and Rich —Dad would pass a remark when he seen them. They was a joke even though they was pretty tough old birds. I was nine years old and they found Earl dead in an irrigation ditch. Theyd took a tire iron to him, spurred him up, drug him around by his dick until it pulled off, just bloody pulp. 6y
CouronneDhiver Yuck - that quote is ugly! I understand that not everyone agrees with diverse sexuality, but let people be. Gosh. 6y
48 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Jabberwocky
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‘The long run is a luxury. You can drive a nail on that.‘

God the truth of this. I feel like it applies to the environmental and economic pr blend we are faced with today that might not have been so drastic if previous generations had been more careful and aware of their actions.

But on the other hand, the long run is a luxury that they couldn‘t afford at the time.

Not that millennials can afford to clean it up either. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Jabberwocky
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Sneaking a quick break for breakfast and another of these gorgeous #shortstories. I think I‘m becoming a short story person??? #illustration #illustrated

Jabberwocky Also that sandwich is 100% on a napkin you just can‘t see 😅 (edited) 6y
49 likes1 comment
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Jabberwocky
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I‘m really enjoying these stories. My grandparents were farmers and ranchers for most of my life and the stories they would tell me about their parents and siblings have so many similarities to the type of story Proulx is telling in this book. These are cowboys stories about people that live off of what they can scratch out of the ground, men that hurt and never talk about it, and prairies that are awe inspiring in their bleakness.

Jabberwocky Also, the author partnered with a watercolour artist for this book, and most of the stories are paired with an illustration. I think the art is gorgeous and really evocative of what I know of prairie life. 6y
GondorGirl I love those illustrations! 😍 6y
Jabberwocky @GondorGirl Me too! ♥️ 6y
Reviewsbylola What gorgeous illustrations!! 6y
43 likes4 comments
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Jabberwocky
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It‘s sooo hot. I tried reading in the bedroom with Lucille, as pictured here, but I‘ve had to migrate out to the hammock. +30 at 7 at night is way too hot. #lucilleproblems

Riveted_Reader_Melissa She‘s adorable!! #catsofLitsy 6y
Kappadeemom 😻😻😻 6y
sprainedbrain Oh my goodness how cute!! ❤️❤️❤️😃 6y
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Eyelit Omg, that expression! 😸😻 6y
Jabberwocky @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Kappadeemom @sprainedbrain @Eyelit Honestly she is the most expressive cat I‘ve ever met 😍 6y
Reecaspieces ❤️❤️😍 6y
GondorGirl This picture is amazing! 😻 6y
xicanti Awww! Lucille looks like the heat has her utterly stupefied. 6y
Jabberwocky @xicanti she completely has!! 6y
70 likes1 stack add9 comments
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Jabberwocky
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I‘m in need of some #queerfiction, stat! This collection of #shortstories includes the authors most famous, brokeback mountain. It‘s Stampede in #yyc and this feels like the perfect read for right now. Not to mention that my family have been long term prairie people and cow people and I am super excited for this read. 🤠

CSeydel Man these stories are heartbreaking though. I couldn‘t read more than one a day. Good collection but emotionally draining. 6y
Jabberwocky @CSeydel oof I am seeing what you mean. Really touching stories though. 6y
CSeydel Yeah - she‘s a hell of a writer. Amazing stuff. 6y
39 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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CSeydel
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Hey everyone! What do all these movies have in common? That‘s right - they‘re based on short stories!

I would like to host a short story swap if there‘s any interest. The idea would be to read something new. You will send your match a book of short stories that you would recommend - not necessarily off their TBR.

This is meant to be a low-impact swap so 1 book and 1 treat/gift is sufficient! Or...2 books and no items 😉

Opening day July 11

merelybookish I'm game. 🙂 6y
CSeydel If there‘s interest I‘ll create a signup form, so comment below if you think you might participate 📚😍 6y
See All 17 Comments
Austen_Nerd Sounds good, I am game!! 6y
Zelma I would very much be interested in this. I am on such a short story kick lately. 6y
shadowspeak17 Oh, yes! I‘m interested! 😃 6y
RowReads1 I can‘t stop the swaps now😆. 6y
CSeydel @RowReads1 it‘s non-stop swaps LOL 6y
erzascarletbookgasm 🙋‍♀️ 6y
ephemeralwaltz Dear Carrie, I'm a bit worried as I've seen multiple posts about this swap and people seem to be sending bigish boxes.. I kept to the 20$ max budget and the initial premise of one book of short stories and an item or two extra.. I'll feel terrible if I receive a package from someone who has clearly spent more money than me but I myself couldn't afford to spend any more. Does anybody else feel the same way sometimes with swaps?lol 6y
CSeydel @ephemeralwaltz No, please don‘t feel bad. The guideline was $20 and the expectation is 1-2 books and possibly 1-2 small bookish gifts. I bought used books so I got 3 for under $20 (plus I am passing along a book I already owned). Please don‘t be intimidated by other people‘s boxes! We can‘t control others, but this was NOT intended to be an extravagant swap! 💗 6y
CSeydel @ephemeralwaltz I do feel that way though every time I receive a swap box - I ALWAYS say “omg, this is way better than what I sent!” 😂 6y
ephemeralwaltz @CSeydel Ok, thank you so much for your reply. I feel reassured ❤️❤️ I know I shouldn't feel intimidated after knowing the initial guidelines but couldn't help it 😖 I hope my match will enjoy their goodies all the same ⭐ 6y
71 likes17 comments
review
LizzieLou
Pickpick

Stories about the West got me through lonely nights in Africa when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer. This was one of my favorite reads.

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Lcsmcat
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I love these western stories by Proulx!
#shortontimeshortstories #backtoreading @Tiffy_Reads

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azulaco
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Pickpick

These stories are depressing, grim, heartbreaking, even macabre at times. But they are all so beautifully written. Annie Proulx is an amazing writer, it's just her choice of subject matter for these stories that is hard to read sometimes. I think "Brokeback Mountain" is the best story in the book, but I may be prejudiced by the memory of the actors' performances in the movie. Definitely recommend, but balance it with something lighter.

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azulaco
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Good grief, these stories are depressing. They are beautifully written, but bleak and disturbing. I'm about 85% done with this book. I have to take a break between stories to read something lighter.

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azulaco
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I'm reading everyone's stats for #24in48 with great envy...sigh. As usual, kids kept me from reading a lot, but I did get a solid hour and a half in on Close Range last night. #usareadingroadtrip - Wyoming

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azulaco
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I started this one in e-book form today on Scribd as my Wyoming book for #usareadingroadtrip. Short stories are not my favorite, but I am looking forward to finally reading "Brokeback Mountain."

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Hamlet
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Pickpick

I've really enjoyed this collection of Wyoming stories; Proulx is a great writer & wonderful storyteller. I first bought it to read "Brokeback Mountain" after seeing the Ang Lee film & have been delighted with the understated writing that helps covey the power & complexity of characters' psychology and emotions. It's time to read more by this author. Her book of the west enriches that genre by making me see it in new ways. Great stuff.

CarolynOliver I read this (in a different edition) at your house! 8y
4 likes1 stack add1 comment
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GoneFishing

A kind of joyous hysteria moved into the room, everything flying before the wind, vehicles outside getting dented to hell, the crowd sweaty and the smells of aftershave, manure, clothes dried on the line, your money‘s worth of perfume, smoke, booze; the music subdued by the shout and babble... It is the kind of Saturday night that torches your life for a few hours, makes it seem like something is happening.

18 likes2 stack adds
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Hberesford
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Snow snakes @tkmadden

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tkmadden

"There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can't fix it you've got to stand it.”

6 months without my father and this Annie Proulx line, like so many of her lines, is hugging me like "I know."

25 likes2 stack adds
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Jmorrison

Jack, I swear--

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tkmadden
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When you wake up thinking "I'm a writer. I can write. How COOL is that?" and then you open up to the first sentence of an Annie Proulx story and she's like "LOL! bitch please."

BetsyBrandt Always. 9y
30 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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tkmadden
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if you like to cry in the morning as much as I do

15 likes2 stack adds