The Bone Pickers

Double Mountain Books

by Al Dewlen

Against the flamboyant background of the “Golden Spread,” the oil-rich Panhandle of the late 1950s, Al Dewlen has poised a full-scale and truly original novel of one Texas family—the Mungers of Amarillo. The six Munger siblings are the heirs of hard-drinking, hardscrabble farmer Cecil Munger, who in one generation brought his family from Dust Bowl poverty to unfathomable wealth. Sitting as directors of the several corporations in which their wealth resides, five of the siblings—Spain, Texas, Laska, China, and Bethel—struggle to balance their past with their present, their place in society, and their obligations to community, to themselves, and to their damaged and dependent brother June, confined to the old homestead. Wayward humor, warmth and passion, vigorous and imaginative revelation silhouette their individual rebelliousness against the debilitating restrictions of the family empire. Lon Tinkle called Dewlen a born storyteller and praised The Bone Pickers for having “the kind of novelistic vision that makes the reader press on to the end without stopping.” This drama of human need, hidden dreams, and battered aspirations occurs in characters of such depth they may well become the most vivid people you know. . . .The ambience and essence of matters uniquely Texan is a pervasive underscore to gripping themes and raw, rending conflicts. —W.U. McCoy, from his new introduction

424 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 1958

Reviews

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favorite West Tx novels....deals with real life in a lonely, flat place....and small town, rural life.....love this book....I worked out outrageous terms in my divorce to be able to keep the copy of this book.....it was worth all the knick knacks I had to trade.

[Jodi Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bone Pickers was a sensation back in the 1950s when it was written. A bit obsolete with it's format and definitely quite wordy by today's standards, it, nevertheless, is worthy of a read. I often wondered where it was going, but that's my 21st century mindset that wants the action to be a little sharper. The characters are interesting, though the author failed to make me like any of them. Perhaps that was on purpose? China's big secret not only didn't fit her character, but also had me quite angry for such a divergent turn that felt forced. If you are interested in the history of the panhandle of Texas during the oil-rich dynasty, especially the author's hometown of Amarillo, this book will interest you greatly. There are several literary lines that make it worthwhile, but only if you enjoy a strictly literary novel with little action.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good Texana. I got out my jug and let out a hoot every 25 pages or so. Beloved "Brother" is a an excellent creation as are most of the other characters. The edition I read (the one pictured) even includes a joyless apology for the book potentially being offensive. Mother fucker probably hasn't read a book before! Fohhhhh

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really well written book on the desert flat of the Texas Panhandle. Set in Amarillo this family of 6 siblings try to make life work. Upon reading the title, you might think its a ghastly tale with decomposing body parts or something to that effect. Nope, its only a Texas cliche' "I've got a bone to pick with you!"
The Munger siblings strive to hold down a growing empire left to them by their late father, Cecil Munger, a hard man from abject dust bowl poverty, who claims oil and makes millions. The siblings go on with every day life, but they have their secrets and problems and holding things together between themselves becomes a growing problem, exclusion from their inner circle cause the spouse's to reject this togetherness and plenty of 'bones need picking!'
Overall I really like this book, but it borders on the oppressive for me, and left me with bitter in my mouth. You can't get any more real than this story, not even if you lived it. The old saying holds true "Money cannot buy you happiness." Full of Texas born cliche's, and lots of Texas twang, this book is a work of art.