Declare Regarding Books Killing Mister Watson (Shadow Country Trilogy #1)
| Title | : | Killing Mister Watson (Shadow Country Trilogy #1) |
| Author | : | Peter Matthiessen |
| Book Format | : | Hardcover |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 384 pages |
| Published | : | August 11th 1992 by Vintage (first published 1990) |
| Categories | : | Mystery. Crime. Fiction. Historical. Historical Fiction. Literary Fiction. Novels |
Peter Matthiessen
Hardcover | Pages: 384 pages Rating: 3.83 | 1523 Users | 162 Reviews
Ilustration Toward Books Killing Mister Watson (Shadow Country Trilogy #1)
"But the truth don't count for much after all these years, cause folks hang on to what it suits 'em to believe and won't let go of it." Killing Mr. Watson, p. 92 Historically, Edgar "Bloody" Watson did exist and he was really killed by a posse in the Islands along the west coast of Florida. Matthiessen provides the full story of the the life and times of Watson based on amazing oral history accounts by the people of the Florida Islands. Having conducted, transcribed and edited a lot of oral histories I was most impressed by the voices of his narrators. He not only tells the story of Watson but also provides a lesson in racism and class distinction. He had me happily fooled into almost believing every word. He also had me wanting to believe Watson over and over again in the face of ridiculous evidence. This was not an easy book for me to get into, but once hooked it was masterful.Describe Books In Pursuance Of Killing Mister Watson (Shadow Country Trilogy #1)
| Original Title: | Killing Mister Watson |
| ISBN: | 0517086719 (ISBN13: 9780517086711) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | Shadow Country Trilogy #1 |
| Setting: | United States of America Florida(United States) |
| Literary Awards: | Ambassador Book Award for Fiction (1991) |
Rating Regarding Books Killing Mister Watson (Shadow Country Trilogy #1)
Ratings: 3.83 From 1523 Users | 162 ReviewsArticle Regarding Books Killing Mister Watson (Shadow Country Trilogy #1)
This trilogy, set in The Thousand Islands area of SW Florida in the early part of the 20th century, is a haunting tale that will stay with the reader. The vivid portraits of the natural, jungle-like environment and tales of the exploitation of the native people along with flora and fauna in the name of progress build into a story that qualifies as a master work. As a trilogy, it is easy to read in parts over a period of time. I have recommended this book to many people because I believe theI'm currently reading this book for a college course. We were warned this would be a hard book before we got the assignment, but it is a requirement. First of all, I'm not sure why anyone would select a book this.. difficult? for required reading and assignments. At first I thought I just didn't like it because I was forced to read it for class. I struggled to get by the usage of slurs (used multiple times per page at times.) But it was so difficult to keep up with, with all the characters.
Killing Mister Watson took place near where I live in southwest Florida, a little more than a century ago. I know the place names and the family names. I have stood where the killing took place, at Smallwood's store at Chokoloskee, though I didn't know about it at the time. The story is told in the remembrances of the happenings, the gossip, and the rumors of the people who were there. It seems authentic. I may have rated this higher than some others might because of its locations, the history
Masterful, if long-windedWhile I enjoyed Matthiessen's creative and authorly skills crafting this Roshomon-like tale, I found the similarity of voice between the differing perspectives a little relentless and wearisome. Fascinating historic details from a neglected corner of the U.S., wrapped in gothic imagery. I only wish the narrative voices used to evoke this strange landscape were as richly distinctive.
This novel has been read by a good number of my family members. It deals with the mystery that shrouds the account of the lawless Ten Thousand Islands off the Gulf Coast of SW.FL. regarding Edgar J. Watson. My family is an integral part of this novel. This is a work of fiction, however, the late Mr. Matthiessen did his research. Watson was made out to be a monster of the Everglades. He was an outlaw, yes. But the inhabitants of the islands might have made more out of him than truly was. The turn
A polyphonic retelling of the foul deeds of the eponymous Watson, a gunhand and would be industrialist, basically Absalom, Absalom in the Florida Keys. Its good, its very well written but theres also shooting and murder and mystery and whatnot. I felt that the various viewpoints read too similarly and lacked the disparate stylization necessary for this style of writing, and the authors own (admirable) moral viewpoint came through too strong. Which makes it sound like I didnt like the book, but I
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