description Montana 1948 Overview
Larry Watson's Montana 1948, published by Milkweed Editions in 1993, is a novella set in the fictional town of Bentrock, Montana. David Hayden narrates his memories of the summer when his father, the local sheriff, confronted allegations of sexual assault against David's uncle Frank. Frank's standing as a respected war hero makes the investigation a conflict within the family as well as a question of public justice. The account exposes racial prejudice directed at Sioux people and the unequal power surrounding accusations against an influential white man.
David's young perspective gives the adult choices a gradual, unsettling clarity as his understanding changes. Watson taught creative writing at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, but the book's appeal rests on its compact moral drama. It suits readers of crime-inflected literary fiction, using a Western setting to examine the cost of choosing between loyalty and responsibility.
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Who wrote the novel Montana 1948?
Montana 1948 is a 1993 novella written by American author Larry Watson. It is widely considered his masterpiece and is frequently taught in American high school and college literature courses.
What is the main plot of the book Montana 1948?
The story follows a young narrator named David Hayden, who recounts the summer of 1948 when his father, the local sheriff, investigated allegations of sexual assault. The prime suspect is David's uncle, Frank Hayden, a respected war hero and local doctor.
Where does the story of Montana 1948 take place?
The novella is set in the fictional, rural town of Bentrock, Montana. The harsh, isolated environment plays a critical role in the story's themes of family loyalty, justice, and the dying days of the American frontier.
What award did the book Montana 1948 win?
Montana 1948 won the Milkweed National Fiction Prize when it was published in 1993. The novel went on to sell over a million copies, largely propelled by strong word-of-mouth recommendations.
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