Shadow Country by Peter Matthiessen
Release date: 2008 / 892 pages
Synopsis (from back cover): Killing Mister Watson, Lost Man’s River, and Bone by Bone — Peter Matthiessen’s great American epic about Everglades sugar planter and notorious outlaw E.J. Watson on the wild Florida frontier at the turn of the twentieth century — were originally conceived as one vast, mysterious novel. Now, in this bold new rendering, Matthiessen has marvelously distilled a monumental work while deepening the insights and motivations of his characters with brilliant rewriting throughout.
First line: “Seabirds are aloft again, a tattered few.”
Review: I’m so disappointed to report that this National Book Award winner fell victim to the 350 page rule… And no, that was not a typo — I stopped reading it on page 350!
This really was a failure on my part and not on the part of Matthiessen. The trilogy is very well-written, especially if you enjoy Faulkner (which I do). The characters are finely wrought, fascinating individuals, and the plot moves well. I must admit, I’ve never been so impressed by a novel that I eventually put aside!
So, why did I stop reading it? Well, the novel is 892 pages in length (it is a trilogy) and explores the complex, shameful history of racism in our country (as well as the fascinating layers that every man and every family contain). I started reading it while in Ethiopia last month, and the juxtaposition of my happy, smiling, sunshiney 9 month old niece with the dark, n-word laden past of our country soon became burdensome, especially at such a time of hope and optimism in our country with regard to race.
I did perservere throughout the week and even into our 21 hour flight home, but ultimately had to put it aside. So, I actually whole-heartedly recommend this work, despite the fact that I stopped reading it and have not had the will to continue.
Any takers? 
If so, simply leave me a comment – I will choose a winner shortly… And I would love to hear if it ultimately fulfills its promise!
Hi Kristen
I feel a bit embarrased to say that I want this one, too. I love social themes, and if the book is well writen and interesting- the longer, the better.
This sounds like an excellent challenge.
I loved his The Snow Leopard. From your descriptions, I would like to read this too. Please do count me in.
gautami.tripathy[at]gmail.com
Hi Teresa, Carey, and Gautami! You three are in the running…
Please enter me!
Sheri
A Novel Menagerie
Please, add my name too.
Add me, too, please!
Lisa, Suzan, and Sheri — You’re in the running, too!
Please enter me also. Sounds like a really good book.
sharon54220@gmail.com
Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)verizon.net
And the winner is… Carlene! Congrats!
I love a good mystery and would put this book
away for winter, just to R&R in our snowy months. Thank for a great giveaway.
I would love a chance to read this book. The bigger a book is the better the reading experience for me. And with all that history, it must have needed a longer book to tell the story. Thank you for considering me for the draw.
Didn’t read the last couple of posts-sorry. Congratulations Carlene.