Blue Earth

by Jules Hardy

The Reichmanns are a prosperous farming family. The envy of Blue Earth County, Minnesota, they delight in their good fortune and their three young sons. But when the Second World War shatters their dreams, the youngest, Billy Ray, vows to conquer the world that has so betrayed them. It’s no accident that he becomes an enormously successful oil prospector, driven to tame the land that makes him rich and powerful, yet always leaves him wanting. Moving from the oil fields of Alaska to the country estates of the English aristocracy, Billy Ray seeks forgiveness in the arms of the women he seduces, and deliverance from the land he so ruthlessly exploits.

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Charlotte May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe how few reviews this has!
I thought that Blue Earth was great! An enthralling tale that captured me right from the beginning.
We follow Billy-Ray from his roots on a Minnesota farm, through to adulthood with numerous losses along the way, right into the heart of the oil industry in Alaska.
It moves so swiftly between the different landscapes and cultures that you feel immersed by Hardy's vivid descriptions.
It is a man's battle with the elements, and his battle with who he strives to be over who his family needs him to be.
A truly powerful novel with fantastic settings. Highly recommended.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF
So slow... So boring.

[Alayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth persevering with as its very well written. Yes we all guess the ending about 100 pages before the actual book ends.
Not as good as his Altered Land but still worth the read

[Dianne]

Couldn't get into it at all...found it hard to read, uninteresting, blah, blah, blah...