Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Larry D. Sweazy

Larry D. Sweazy's Josiah Wolfe, Texas Ranger western novels include The Rattlesnake Season, The Scorpion TrailThe Badger's Revenge, The Cougar's Prey, The Coyote Tracker, and the newly released The Gila Wars.

A couple of weeks ago I asked the author about what he was reading. Sweazy's reply:
I’m currently reading A Place in Time: Twenty Stories of the Port William Membership (Counterpoint) by Wendell Berry. Short stories are a passion of mine, especially when they are combined with defined sense of place. Berry knows his land and characters very well, and excels as not only an accomplished writer, but as a great storyteller. Reading his dialogue feels like eavesdropping. You can feel the weather on, and under, you skin.

The stories are in chronological order starting in the Civil War and ending in the present day. The characters are strong, flawed, independent, humorous, and sad. The stories range in emotion, but all are firmly rooted in the land, in the sense of place. Berry’s writing style is deceptively simple and accessible. He’s been compared to Twain and Hemingway. These stories demonstrate why. Wendell Berry is a modern master, and it’s always a pleasure to spend time in his company.
Visit Larry D. Sweazy's website and blog.

Coffee with a Canine: Larry D. Sweazy & Brodi and Sunny.

The Page 69 Test: The Gila Wars.

--Marshal Zeringue