Authors’ photographs. Is it me, or are they just a very bad idea? I am a huge Guterson fan. Not so much though since I accidentally saw his picture. He looks more like some guy from Baywatch than the amazing writer I had in mind (elderly, grizzly). Disappointed! Still, East of the mountains is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read.

So far, I have loved every book Guterson’s ever written. Snow falling on ceders, Our lady of the forest, and I hope to love The drowned as soon as I get it. Best one so far remains East…

Ben Givens isa 73-year-old retired surgeon. His wife has dies a year ago and he has just been diagnosed with inoperable colon cancer. Givens sets out on one last journey, to the rural, apple-growing region of Washington State, where he grew up. His plan is to kill himself and make it appear to be a hunting accident. Crossing the mountains into eastern Washington, his real journey begins.

I can’t describe how this book moved me. The great love between Ben and his wife, the longing, the memories from World war 2 when they were in Italy together. The relationship with his daughter and his dogs. The description of hunting small birds.

Old age, loneliness, cancer: actually, it’s also a good case for euthanasia. If there was a good, decent way to step out of life then men like Ben wouldn’t have to drag their old bones of into the wilderness and pretend to have a hunting accident to spare his daughter’s feelings!

Technorati Tags: David Guterson East of the mountains review