Montana 1948: A Novel by Larry Watson

Montana 1948 is a captivating novel written by author Larry Watson. It is an award-winning novel set in the nostalgia of 1948 in rural Montana. It tells the heart-wrenching story of how a family, living an idyllic and peaceful life, becomes entangled in an unavoidable web of racial prejudice and family secrets.

The story revolves around the Davidson family living in Bentrock, Montana. We are first introduced to Jake and Frank, brothers who are both physicians in Bentrock. Jake is the sheriff who is respected by the people in Bentrock, while Frank works in the town’s hospital and is known for his compassion and dedication. Into this seemingly perfect and peaceful family dynamic comes alteration in the form of a thirteen-year-old boy named David. He is the youngest child of the Davidson family, and the story is told from his perspective.

Montana 1948 follows the story of the Davidson family as the events of that summer lead to the uncovering of a shocking and devastating family secret. We learn that Jake arrested Marie, an Indian woman he believed to have molested David’s older cousin, Ginny. In the face of racial prejudice, Marie is promised a trial in a court of law, but her fate is already sealed. Even worse, we soon discover that Marie is innocent and that the real guilty person is someone close to the family, which causes them a conflict between family loyalty and justice.

The power of this novel lies in its realistic characters and compelling themes. Larry Watson creates a story which is powerful, heartbreaking and surprisingly uplifting. Through this story, the reader is exposed to numerous social issues: the tension between racial prejudice and justice, the power of friendship, the importance of family loyalty, and the power of forgiveness. These character-driven scenes play out against the backdrop of Montana in 1948, creating an atmosphere that is both romantic and realistic.

Overall, Montana 1948 is a novel which is both provocative and compelling in its story. It provides readers with an insight into the complexities of family loyalty and the prejudice of society. While Larry Watson’s prose is detailed and descriptive, it is also concise, so that readers can immerse themselves in the story easily. The novel will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.