Into the Twilight, Endlessly Grousing

by Patrick F. McManus

Outdoor Life magazine columnist Patrick McManus has been compared to Mark Twain. Into the Twilight, Endlessly Grousing demonstrates that he isn't, but McManus will suffice until the next Twain comes along. In this book, the outdoorsman extraordinaire is doing what he does best--telling fish stories, getting into scrapes with buddies, occasionally waxing philosophical, but grousing just as often. Sometimes he even ventures out of the wilderness and into mainstream humor. McManus is easily the equal of Dave Barry or any other contemporary humorist, for that matter:

When I think of all the times a Stupidity Alarm could have saved me from committing a Stupidity ... Here's one instance that comes to mind.
My children: "Daddy, please buy us a horse! Please, please, please, please!"
Me: "Well, kids, I guess a horse wouldn't be all that much trouble."
Stupidity Alarm: WHOOOOP! WHOOOOP! WHOOOOP!
The cowboy who sold me the horse said it loved children. That was true. But as I belatedly discovered, it hated adults.

He covers well-worn territory, sure. But McManus is a pro who tells stories well, so Into the Twilight, Endlessly Grousing is always diverting. And when he tells stories about his boyhood, a note of wistfulness and pathos creeps in that is definitely agreeable. This volume is a fine effort by an experienced woodsman/wordsman.

Genres: Humor, Fiction, Comedy, Short Stories, Adventure, Essays, Outdoors

219 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Patrick F. McManus is an American outdoor humor writer. A humor columnist for Outdoor Life and other magazines, his columns have been collected in several books.

Reviews

[Dan Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always good, like revisiting a crazy uncle. I've seen many people complain that "If you've read one McManus, you've read them all." It is true that these can be a bit redundant if you read two back-to-back, but the familiarity of the characters, predicaments and scenery is what makes Ol' Pat comfort food for the nostalgic brain. Going back to Pat's world is like going back to a favorite camping area, even though I've never been to Idaho. I don't think I would fare well in terms of sanity if I did not hear at least one Rancid Crabtree story per year. Even if I've already heard it. One thing does set this collection apart, and that there seems to be, if only occasionally, a bit more poignancy in some of the stories, perhaps stemming from a much older and wiser (and slightly less curmudgeon-like) Pat. Don't tell him I said that.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit longer-form than his earlier collections, and more self-referential and repetative, but still enjoyable.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume of short stories contains what is most likely my favorite Patrick McManus story of all, the story that shares its name with the book. All in all, this volume of McManus stories is right on par with his many others. It's a bit light on Crazy Eddie Muldoon and Rancid Crabtree stories, my favorite brand of McManus stories, but it is still chock full of the outlandish outdoor adventures that McManus is known for. I think the one difference between this and stories he's done before is the quiet presence of an almost melancholy longing for a bygone era in his life. Never is this more evident than in the title story, "Into the Twilight, Endlessly Grousing".

Pat decides to take a elderly friend he calls "the old man" out for a day of grouse hunting, during which he witnesses everyone swooning over his adorable senior companion while Pat gets a steady peppering of criticism from the same old codger everyone is so enamored with. Pat stoically endures however, hinting at a great indebted respect he feels toward the old man. Through it all are the understated reminders that things have changed, that the local wilderness of Pat's glory days is long gone, and that the onslaught of progress isn't through with this community yet. From the changes that have overtaken Pat's favorite local eatery to the housing developments that have sprung up in nearly all of Pat's former hunting grounds, nothing has remained the same.

Only a master storyteller like McManus could so unsuspectingly interweave such a heavy sense of forlorn remembrance with truly innocent colloquial humor that leaves the reader feeling a bit giddy, yet simultaneously thoughtful. It's a reminder of the quality that McManus has been offering up for decades and a hopeful hint of the richness that's still to come.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never heard of McManus until 1998. I worked in the parts dept. of a Chevy dealership. My job was in the back warehouse overseeing all shipping and receiving, delivery, ordering, and occasionally working the counter. Being in the back by myself, I had a small radio to keep me company. The kind that needed tin foil and just the right amount of tweaking to get a good station.
One day, while avoiding commercials, I chanced on NPR's Radio Reader with Dick Estell. The man had a wonderful voice and gave the pages of McManus' book and characters such a wonderful life. I laughed and looked forward to Estell's Radio Reader program on NPR.
At the time, I was starting my own writing and became a member of a writing group where we read our own work on stage and on certain nights we would read excerpts from particular pieces that we enjoyed and would discuss them. I chose McManus.
This particular book certainly enjoys, and always will, a place in my bookcase.
Estell, unfortunately, passed away earlier this year (2016) along with so many other greats.
I contacted him years ago asking if he had recordings of that particular book that he could sell or share. I also expressed to him just how much his recordings meant to me and how much I appreciated them. He said he did not and didn't think NPR did either. Personally, I think that is a great loss to the arts community as well as a financial opportunity for NPR.
I realize this is just as much about Estell as McManus but for me, I will always hear him narrating those stories.

[Anthony Whitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

McManus nails it again. It's a perfect read to settle down with at the end of another trying day.

[Cindy Dyson Eitelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the title, I thought this was going to be some kind of farewell book from the author. But it doesn't appear to be, so I'm happy. McManus just gets funnier with age. I don't care how many of the stories are real or how many are made up, I just trust and believe them all.

If you're going to read just one, read Cereal Crime. It starts with his best friend Eddie getting a Private Detective kit from a cereal box-top giveaway, then pining away because there weren't any crimes to solve in their little backwoods town. But Rancid Crabtree tells him of one--

And I've told too much. Enjoy!

[Blaise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rancid Crabtree became a literary hero. These short stories by Patrick F. McManus were imaginative and informative. I am not so sure that they are all that much of fiction, especially when I get the feeling of "been there, done that".

Anyone who has ever held a fishing pole will like these stories. Anyone who hasn't will want to pick one up. After all, not much difference between fishing and hanging out by the water.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like McManus. His outdoor adventures with Retch Sweeney, Rancid Crabtree, Crazy eddie Muldoon and his other friends always keep me in stitches. While these stories are good, his previous collections are much better.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters, and their world and hope I get the chance to read the story again and/or to read more within the series.

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.

[Robb Menlove · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion, the best in a long line of great outdoor humor from Pat McManus. This one had more of a reflective feel perhaps as he enters, "Into the Twlight" of life, while still "Endlessly Grousing." It made me think of my Dad.

[R.K. Goff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anything by McManus is funny beyond reason and highly recommened.

[Jeremy Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny as always.

[Jonathan Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into the Twilight, Endlessly Grousing is a very funny book. Patrick tells us about his childhood and other fun stories about his life.

[Johannes Kristian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first Patrick F. McManus book I read. I loved it! I read all the ones we have and then asked Mom to put on hold some more.

[Karen Marcum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a funny writer!

[Jay French · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Into the Twilight Endlessly Grousing” is one of the latest in a series of books containing magazine articles written by Patrick McManus. I’ve read most of his books, and greatly enjoyed them all. This one was one of my least favorites, though. It felt as if the editors had cherry-picked his best for the earlier books, and this one was not as up to snuff. Also, many of the articles were obviously newer, in that they mentioned bits of previous articles. One example is “The Stupidity Alarm”, where McManus mentions a number of predicaments in earlier articles, but felt like a column writer stretching for content. Some articles also felt quite a bit longer than I’ve seen in his earlier books. And some of the nostalgia he dredges up is not so much humorous as maudlin, generally the ones about aging. He does have the regular crew here for a few stories, such as Bike Ride. McManus has wonderful humorous descriptions that feel like Twain at times. Good collection.

[Printable Tire]

Audiobook-gym read. You used to be able to say this style of writing was a cousin to grandad jokes, but now it's more like great-grandad jokes (So a great-great uncle? Where was I going with this?). The first bit about men crying is terrible but the rest are about what you'd expect, vaguely Keilloresque though maybe not as schmaltzy (except for the title story, which is schmaltzy as all get out). I liked the playing back and forth with time periods. Terry Beaver does such a good job of capturing the verisimilitude I don't think I ever want to hear what Patrick McManus really sounds like. Rancid Crabtree is a name I won't soon forget.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cousin Pete loaned me a copy of Patrick McManus book Into the Twilight Endlessly Grousing. While not a fisherman or a hunter, I still enjoy reading about those topics when written well like by favorite Gary Paulsen. McManus writes like Paulsen with much more humor. This collection of previously published works includes a variety of topics including fishing and hunting but also nostalgic looks at his childhood experiences. This book was published in 1997 so it feels a bit dated, but has a nice reflective quality as he looks back at life.

[William Barrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick McManus is always a hoot. Do not read if you do not like laughing out loud or need to enjoy a book without waking your spouse sleeping in the bed next to you as you read. Everyone who loves the outdoors, the old days (meaning anytime in the 1950s at least), and Idaho should read his books. On second thought, anyone living in any of the states contiguous to Idaho should also read them. A great deal of humor and human insight into relationships and struggles in daily living on these pages. One last warning: if you read one, you will probably read two or more of his books.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hysterically funny collection of short stories by outdoor writer McManus who rivals Patrick Dennis (for absolute zaniness in his characters and their antics) and Charles Dickens (for clever names – the old mountain man, Rancid Crabtree and best buddy, Retch Sweeny for example). Warning: some of the stories can be absolutely painful – the “Uncle Flynn’s Hairy Adventure” made me laugh so hard I felt almost ill.

[Veronica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was alright, I didn't enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed many of Patrick McManus' other works. I definitely felt myself getting impatient with it at times and slogging through some of the stories that I found less interesting, and entirely skipping a couple. While I will say that it was an okay read, I will not be keeping the book and I doubt I will ever revisit it.

[Rose Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way funny

Every story has moments of humour from a smile to loud laughter. Be careful reading the book in bed with the partner trying to sleep as you will likely wake them with your bursts of laughter and shaking. A truly great book.

[Scquest · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laugh a lot reading McManus. Loved this book

[Sarah Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay that was so hilarious. The Boy. Mountain Men. Will. Crime Wave. The Stamp People.

But nothing is funnier than The Stupidity Alarm. Rolling on the floor.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twenty-seven short stories filled with wit and humor, and endless madcap adventures as reflected and told by Patrick F. McManus.

[BGMattingley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I love to read McManus' stories, they make me laugh out loud! Patrick F. McManus is a wonderful and refreshing writer.

[Julius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great little bedtime compilation

[Craig Schlossin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!

[Joshua Friesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely like visiting an uncle or grandfather and listening to tales he tells to enthrall and inspire adventure. Great literature.

[Maryjane Nordgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, i so enjoyed the McManus humor.