Review: Land That Moves, Land That Stands Still

Mattie Rennel lives on a four thousand acre ranch in South Dakota. The property was inherited by her husband, and they have lived there for the better part of a generation, with their daugher (a son died in childhood) and a never ending struggle to improve the property, raise hay and corn for feed, expand the irrigation, and make ends meet. On a rainy late spring morning, Mattie leaves her husband in the midst of one of his never ending projects and returns to the ranch house. As the evening wears on, her husband does not return - and returning to the irrigation project she finds his body under the chassis of the truck, which has slid off the road in the heavy flooding rain.

Other nasty surprises wait for her - his will holds baffling instructions for his memorial service and burial. Their financial records reveal credit card charges for trips she did not plan, tickets she cannot find. But in the midst of her confusion and sorrow, Mattie finds solace and a purpose for her life in the continuing work on the ranch. She enlists her college age daughter to return and share the workload, and also learns to rely on the mechanical ability of a woman drifter who shows up one day and applies for the job of "hired man." The makeshift family is completed by a runaway teenaged Sioux who applies himself diligently to any work which needs attention.

The book doesn't contain any one riveting, all compelling event. However as the months go by, and the small group learns to manage the rich resources of the ranch, we are in for a very satisfying read. Mattie and her daughter learn to come to terms with the secrets their husband and father left behind. Elton, the young Sioux, finds his own place in the world with people who intend to love and care for him come what may. Donna, the enigmatic drifter, realizes a long ambition. Mattie's daughter Shelley also learns a lot about adult responsibility and evaluating her choices. The group faces real physical threats to their safety from several persons who seek to thwart their goals. They rise above these challenges in good style.

Nelson is a local Colorado author, but prior to this book his work was unknown to me. I plan to keep an eye out for future books!

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM

Book Review: Land That Moves, Land That Stands Still