Dancing at the Rascal Fair by Ivan Doig

Would you be willing to move to a country you have never seen to live on your own- without your parents? 19 year old best friends, Angus McCaskill and Rob Barclay, move from Scotland to the U.S. to become homesteaders in Montana. It is the turn of the century (the 20th century that is), and the novel follows the two young men as they go through their initial experiences as sheep ranchers, marry, have kids, and ends during WWI. The story is told from Angus’ viewpoint. To make ends meet when sheep ranching won’t, he takes a job as a school teacher. He falls in love with another teacher, Anna. When their relationship doesn’t work out, Angus, desperate to get over her, marries Rob’s little sister, Adair. When Rob realizes that Angus is still in love with Anna, not his little sister, the men’s friendship will be tried.

This is a great book for those interested in the Old West and immigration stories. It has just enough romance, but the focus is on Angus’ and Rob’s overall experiences as they grow from greenhorns to experienced homesteaders. The story is truly a piece of art and something you will want to read again and again. This is actually the prequel to Ivan Doig’s English Creek so if you must read books in the order they came out, you might want to start there first. This book is a true hidden gem, and one you will want read again. Found in the adult section.

Book; 14+; ISBN 9780684831053; Boston: G.K. Hall, 1987