Evening Book Club
September 2015
Shotgun Lovesongs
Nickolas Butler
Shotgun Lovesongs, a story of four best friends and their enduring friendship growing from childhood into adult relationships resonated strongly with book club members. The discussion continued throughout the evening with intense comments about the motives of the characters and how they were influenced by each other. Readers noted that the level of emotion and depth of character’s inner lives were unusual in portrayals of male friendships in fiction. This would have been more likely if the characters were women. It worked for readers because the characters were likeable and Little Wing, Wisconsin felt like home for characters and readers alike. Readers all said they loved, loved the story and everything about it!
The author makes the readers wait for resolution in the story. His writing is so compelling that it is worth the wait. The characters make you want to know them, even when some of them are not likeable at times. Everyone agreed that the story was well written and that enduring friendship and reconciliation was believable. Some readers commented on how the characters’ narration changed with each chapter. Others said that they got used to it and it worked for them.
Beth, Hank’s wife, is the fifth character in the story. Their marriage acts as a sixth character in its effect on best friends Lee and Hank's lives. The marriage is poetry and Hank and Beth’s relationship with their children and each other radiates love and comfort to all that surrounds them. A crucial event disturbs their lives and it takes a few quirky events to take the high road and set things right. Kip and Ronny, the other two friends, are changed by events as adults but remain true to their characters and friendships.
You have to read this story to believe it and to feel it is to be reassured and comforted.
Don’t miss the story of Hank, Lee, Ronnie, Kip, Beth and their lives in the heartland of Little Wing, Wisconsin!
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