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The Fat of The Land
Everyone has a story ...but not every story has a hero. This collection from New Mexico and the Southwest is about those who give life to that land – the outliers, and those who have no one to tell their tale. While some of these narratives are loosely based in fact, they are written with a large dollop of literary license. The characters are not “politically correct” in today’s parlance and speak in the vernacular of their time and culture. Some of them you will like ...others you may not. No disrespect or offense is intended in the telling. These are their stories.
- GenresShort Stories
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2012
157 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
R. Allen Chappell
19 books153 followersR. Allen Chappell, the author of eight novels and a collection of short stories, grew up with the Navajo, went to school with them and later worked alongside them, forging enduring friendships along the way. "Those friendships," the author says, "became the inspiration for this series."
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 20, 2015
Worthwhile Read
A delightful collection of stories of "outliers" as the author calls them interspersed with equally satisfying poems. My favorite story was "Best in the West" because it depicted the relationship between a respectful young white man with his employer, an enterprising Mexican-American. Throughout the story I found example after example of mutual respect between the two.
My favorite poem, and several shared the quality of being easily read and deeply thought-provoking, was "There Ain't No Trail." It is a blend of philosophy and style that should please many readers - it certainly did me.
A delightful collection of stories of "outliers" as the author calls them interspersed with equally satisfying poems. My favorite story was "Best in the West" because it depicted the relationship between a respectful young white man with his employer, an enterprising Mexican-American. Throughout the story I found example after example of mutual respect between the two.
My favorite poem, and several shared the quality of being easily read and deeply thought-provoking, was "There Ain't No Trail." It is a blend of philosophy and style that should please many readers - it certainly did me.
December 23, 2013
Only someone who has danced with the dust devils of New Mexico, hunted the broken shards of a people now long gone, and lived amongst outliars could tell these tales of the four corners. A deep thinker and true to the people whose stories unfold on these pages, "Fat of the Land" is an epic collection of color, truth and real characters. Their presence on the literary landscape will forever embody and give meaning to these enchanted lands.
June 19, 2014
Beautiful collection of short stories observing the characters and places in the author's life in New Mexico. Brought the people, places and climate of the South West to life. Stunning.
June 1, 2015
I really liked this...it reminded me of Steinbeck's works. I loved reading the stories from the Native American perspective.
March 10, 2018
Excellent read.
This book will stay in my mind for a long while. The stories and poetry are well written, giving a deeper look through the window of the western psyche. Each tale draws you into the characters world and holds you there, a silent partner, observing yet somehow involved. I will probably come back to this book to read it again and savoring it a little more slowly. Thank you for this gem of western literature.
This book will stay in my mind for a long while. The stories and poetry are well written, giving a deeper look through the window of the western psyche. Each tale draws you into the characters world and holds you there, a silent partner, observing yet somehow involved. I will probably come back to this book to read it again and savoring it a little more slowly. Thank you for this gem of western literature.
May 28, 2014
A book of short stories ... I'm not able to finish it. Although some stories were interesting, there wasn't one compelling enough to make me want to more on to the next. Perhaps the timing is wrong to read this particular book so I'll put it down for now and pick it up again another time.
February 9, 2018
Great read
I was raised poor so these stories had to ring true. This made me think of growing up, the people I knew, and the situations my family often faced. This touched my heart and made me nostalgic.
I was raised poor so these stories had to ring true. This made me think of growing up, the people I knew, and the situations my family often faced. This touched my heart and made me nostalgic.
September 5, 2014
Disjointed shorts, but interesting and unusual.
March 28, 2017
short stories
a group of excellent short stories, not a bad one in the lot.
I love the area the stories are set in, New Mexico.
very well done and easy reading.
a group of excellent short stories, not a bad one in the lot.
I love the area the stories are set in, New Mexico.
very well done and easy reading.
May 26, 2017
An enjoyable read
I like the way this writer expresses himself and I can identify with his writings. Looking forward to his next book.
I like the way this writer expresses himself and I can identify with his writings. Looking forward to his next book.
October 21, 2018
Truly enjoyed
I truly enjoyed this book. I knew a few old timers in my youth and this was the way I remember them. Easy, memorable read.
I truly enjoyed this book. I knew a few old timers in my youth and this was the way I remember them. Easy, memorable read.
October 8, 2020
The Fat of the Land by R Allen Chappell is a collection of short stories based in the Southwest. The stories although having a routine feel at times usually end with a hook that that brings everything together. The opening story sets the stage for the rest. Chappell describes race issues, poverty, schooling, and an assortment of other problems such as Kiko, the bully from school, and his outcome in life. There is an abundance of acceptance in the stories. Race is accepted sometimes as willing segregation, sometimes as a source of discontent, and other times as just difference -- We didn't expect a white kid to be able to work in the sun all day.
Poverty is accepted. There is a realization that there is no way out and really no one to blame. It comes as as acceptance much in the same way Camus' Sisyphus accepts the absurd. Poverty in the desert is much different than poverty in the big city. As much as I hate the term, the characters are the "noble poor".
The book starts with the almost autobiographical sounding stories of growing up and making a stop at the glory days:
No matter, those were real days of our lives. I wish we'd had some inkling then, of their far-reaching effect. Not that we could have done them differently or would want to go back and do them over. We already did them the best we knew how...we did them the best we could.
The stories drift from person sounding to stories of others from hard drinking men, to Oil Field Trash, to Native American prison escapees. There is poetry separating the chapters which is well done and on the same South West theme.
Throughout the stories, and perhaps reiterated in the poems "The Secret" and "Kings Tonight", a common thread runs through the book. It is not the material goods that make you happy or live in memories. It is the small things that are important: shelter from hail, a simple meal, and the ability to get back up when life knocks you down.
All in all, a very good read. A great book to pick up when you have a few minutes for a story that has meaning and culture.
Poverty is accepted. There is a realization that there is no way out and really no one to blame. It comes as as acceptance much in the same way Camus' Sisyphus accepts the absurd. Poverty in the desert is much different than poverty in the big city. As much as I hate the term, the characters are the "noble poor".
The book starts with the almost autobiographical sounding stories of growing up and making a stop at the glory days:
No matter, those were real days of our lives. I wish we'd had some inkling then, of their far-reaching effect. Not that we could have done them differently or would want to go back and do them over. We already did them the best we knew how...we did them the best we could.
The stories drift from person sounding to stories of others from hard drinking men, to Oil Field Trash, to Native American prison escapees. There is poetry separating the chapters which is well done and on the same South West theme.
Throughout the stories, and perhaps reiterated in the poems "The Secret" and "Kings Tonight", a common thread runs through the book. It is not the material goods that make you happy or live in memories. It is the small things that are important: shelter from hail, a simple meal, and the ability to get back up when life knocks you down.
All in all, a very good read. A great book to pick up when you have a few minutes for a story that has meaning and culture.
October 23, 2019
Experience the story
The Fat Of The Land by R. Allen Chappell is a collection of individual works. Some will give your emotions a shake after having helped you remember similar events from your youth. There are a few short and relevant poems, as well. If you liked his other works, I believe you will enjoy this one, as well! If you don't take the chance to read it, nobody, including you, will know what a worthwhile experience you missed!
The Fat Of The Land by R. Allen Chappell is a collection of individual works. Some will give your emotions a shake after having helped you remember similar events from your youth. There are a few short and relevant poems, as well. If you liked his other works, I believe you will enjoy this one, as well! If you don't take the chance to read it, nobody, including you, will know what a worthwhile experience you missed!
May 28, 2020
I liked this book. It certainly not like Mr Chappell's other books in that it is not a novel especially about the Navajo. In is more a character study of bits and snips of stories that he heard of or was told. There were a few that didn't make much of an impression on me but especially the last few could be worked into a story line. I would have liked to be on the climb up the mountain with the old very wise man. I studied anthropology so they are fascinating to me.
March 15, 2025
I chuckled all the way through this book, and it ended much too soon. Chappell brings us short tales from New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, with real people in real places. This is one to keep by the side of the bed for those nights, when worry keeps your eyes popping open. But don't expect to drop off to sleep until you get to the only stopping place - the end.
REVIEWED on March 13, 2025, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, and BookBub. Not available for review at B&N or Kobo.
REVIEWED on March 13, 2025, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, and BookBub. Not available for review at B&N or Kobo.
August 14, 2025
New Mexico, the land of enchantment and fabulous down to earth characters that comprise the short stories in this collection. There is poetry interspersed throughout but it is the stories that keep the reader enthralled. The characters are down to earth and descriptions make you feel as if you are there.
August 22, 2019
Different kind of stories
I followed a series the author wrote and really enjoyed them. These stories and poems are a collection of some O enjoyed and some not so much. I loved the story about the boys with the Radio Flyer wagon. I laughed out loud. Give them a try.
I followed a series the author wrote and really enjoyed them. These stories and poems are a collection of some O enjoyed and some not so much. I loved the story about the boys with the Radio Flyer wagon. I laughed out loud. Give them a try.
October 3, 2019
Good assorted short stories
Mr. Chappell described this book as a collection of assorted stories. These stories are not politically correct as they were written some time ago. They are still good stories and a fast read!
Mr. Chappell described this book as a collection of assorted stories. These stories are not politically correct as they were written some time ago. They are still good stories and a fast read!
July 24, 2022
What a book
I Did not even look into what was coming in this read I like the author. These short stories are simply great reading. The poems wonderful. I will keep reading as long as he keeps writing
I Did not even look into what was coming in this read I like the author. These short stories are simply great reading. The poems wonderful. I will keep reading as long as he keeps writing
March 15, 2021
Several stories I can't get out of my thoughts
I liked the poetry of the old west. The story of the leg amputation and the boys with bananas were my favorite.
I liked the poetry of the old west. The story of the leg amputation and the boys with bananas were my favorite.
May 22, 2020
9t dGood read
All of these stories had such meat to them for being as short as they were and there were more than a couple surprise endings that someone else wouldn't have done that way but I thought were awesome
All of these stories had such meat to them for being as short as they were and there were more than a couple surprise endings that someone else wouldn't have done that way but I thought were awesome
December 28, 2013
This excellent and varied compilation of stories and poems add a new degree of color, light and life and to the already multi-hued Land of Enchantment, specifically the Four Corners region. So few writers have captured the people and stories of this region, that Fat of the Land must occupy a singular place in Southwestern literature.
Chappell's stories and characters are unvarnished to the point that some fail to see them as characters at all! His heroes are the "outliers" too often ignored. Whether you love them or hate them you are very unlikely to forget them. "Beechel Mercury as the Banana King" and the poems "Cliff Dwellers" and "There Ain't no Trail" are stand outs for me, though you may choose other favorites. As Steinbeck forever captured the wandering Okies of the dustbowl and Robert Service captured the spirit of the outdoors, so too does Chappell bring melody and voice to New Mexico and her storied past.
Chappell's stories and characters are unvarnished to the point that some fail to see them as characters at all! His heroes are the "outliers" too often ignored. Whether you love them or hate them you are very unlikely to forget them. "Beechel Mercury as the Banana King" and the poems "Cliff Dwellers" and "There Ain't no Trail" are stand outs for me, though you may choose other favorites. As Steinbeck forever captured the wandering Okies of the dustbowl and Robert Service captured the spirit of the outdoors, so too does Chappell bring melody and voice to New Mexico and her storied past.
December 31, 2021
When I first read this book in 2013, I only gave it a 3 rating. Today, I have upped my rating to a 5; I guess I have learned an appreciation of the Southwest and the land which leads to Chappell's tales. The land in the Southwest is beautiful in a terrible way and the characters in the book are both as interesting and hard as the land around them.
Read past the first few stories and the book will catch you until you need to read every story.
Read past the first few stories and the book will catch you until you need to read every story.
May 9, 2016
Entertaining. Some of the stories seem to end abruptly. That may just be a byproduct of the genre, though. I enjoyed reading them for the most part.
I enjoyed the poetry, too.
I enjoyed the poetry, too.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews