Slumgullion Stew: An Edward Abbey Reader

by Edward Abbey

Book by Abbey, Edward

Genres: Fiction

383 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Edward Paul Abbey (1927–1989) was an American author and essayist noted for his advocacy of environmental issues, criticism of public land policies, and anarchist political views.

Abbey attended college in New Mexico and then worked as a park ranger and fire lookout for the National Park Service in the Southwest. It was during this time that he developed the relationship with the area’s environment that influenced his writing. During his service, he was in close proximity to the ruins of ancient Native American cultures and saw the expansion and destruction of modern civilization.

His love for nature and extreme distrust of the industrial world influenced much of his work and helped garner a cult following.

Abbey died on March 14, 1989, due to complications from surgery. He was buried as he had requested: in a sleeping bag—no embalming fluid, no casket. His body was secretly interred in an unmarked grave in southern Arizona.

Reviews

[Philip Burnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reader goes through a wide range of Abbey's styles. He is a very talented writer with a propensity toward the shocking and anarchistic. However his ability to involve you in the scenery of the desert is fantastic. A bit crude at times, this is still a great read.

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounding up to five stars because when Edward Abbey is good, he's great. It's not all great all the time, but I have been away from his work for a long time, and it was enjoyable to revisit some of Abbey's greatest hits, so to speak. I read Desert Solitaire, The Monkey Wrench Gang, and perhaps my favorite Abbey book, The Journey Home, many years ago, and very much enjoyed reading the excerpts here. This collection is heavy on Abbey's Road and Down the River, which I've not yet read, but also liked. Most of the fiction, which was not Abbey's strong suit, I skimmed. Most of the pontificating where Abbey gets...weird...I also tried to get through as quickly as possible. But again, when he's on point, there's nobody quite like Edward Abbey. And if you terribly miss and deeply love the places he writes (mostly) about and advocates for as much as I do, his words are especially appreciated.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This contained the only available snippet of 'Jonathan Troy' available to Ed Abbey fans up until about a year ago. So of course I read it. A good selection. -1 star because there wasn't more 'Jonathan Troy'.

[Fredric Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly Abbey's best work or his most well-known work, I read this decades ago. As all Abbey novels, this should be read and shared with friends.

[Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wide-ranging collection of Ed's writing from his novels and essays.