The Power of the Dog

The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage

Published 2016, Vintage (originally published 1967)

This was a book I'd picked up second hand because the film was released a couple of years back and... you know, the book is usually better. After reading it, I would watch the film if it came on TV, just to see how it translated to the screen and if the actors chosen fit the characters. I admit to knowing Benedict Cumberbatch stars in it so did picture him as I read.

I found this a bit of a cross between Open Range and The Sisters Brothers, with a bit of Brokeback Mountain thrown in. The relationship between brothers Phil and George and George's later in life choice to marry were familiar.

The setting of Montana, acres of open space and bitter cold was mirrored the coldness between characters, the distance between family, between being their true selves. I found it a slow start and it did pick up (or my interest in it did) when we met Doctor John Gordon, his wife Rose and son Pete. The backstory made the story for me. I found myself looking for what was happening to Rose in the pages and it was that which kept me from giving up.

Phil is a hard, cold, aloof, cruel character - we don't learn in detail why but my dislike for him and his affect on George's life as a younger brother following such a notery gone before stayed throughout the novel. I didn't forsee the ending, it was a shock... an 'oh, wow' moment - and then it was over.

If you like reading about cowboying and castration, cattledrives, ropes and harnesses there is some of that in it, but if you aren't there isn't too much to put you off. It's a book about people. Human fragility, insecurity, weakness and cruelty.

It's not one of my best reads of the year, yet I strangely don't want to give it away just yet so back on the bookcase it goes (I do love seeing those red Vintage spines on a shelf - not the reason I'm keeping it, I do not have the shelf sapace to do that every time!)

I should add in a trigger warning for LGBTQ+ historical language and themes.

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