Smith and Other Events: Tales of the Chilcotin

by Paul St. Pierre

Paul St. Pierre's witty, honest writing never fails to delight, and nor does his legendary character, Smith. Cowboys, ranchers, Indians, tradesmen--these are the spirited characters for which St. Pierre has become so well known, whose lives he sketches with humor and sympathy, and who people the cattle ranges of Chilcotin country, a spectacularly beautiful pocket of British Columbia.

Genres: Fiction, Canada

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1983

About the author

Paul H. St. Pierre was a journalist and author in British Columbia, Canada, where he served as Member of Parliament for the riding of Coast Chilcotin from 1968-1972. He was the first Canadian winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award for fiction.

Reviews

[Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is fine writing about one of the last old style western frontiers on earth. It’s still there and still pretty rugged and jaw drop gorgeous and wild, the way I like it. I have so many stories I ought to write my own book about the place. I mean: grizzlies killing livestock, timber wolf prints that looked as if they’d been made by a young bear, golden eagles, working cattle herds on the high wide lonesome - it put tall pines, craggy purple mountains, and fast turquoise waters in my blood.

These stories are all about experiences like that: about ranchers still living the old west, about the tribes still making a way in the lonely green wilderness, about the wolf howl and the coyote yip and the elk bugle and the loon cry. It’s an amazing “world out of time” book. The Chilcotin drew in all kinds who wanted to live in one of the last temperate zone frontiers - Americans, Canadians, Brits, Germans, Dutch, you name it. They formed quite a family.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up for obvious reasons on the shelf at a thrift store. Never heard of the characters or the author, but the main character name and the partially indigenous content made me go for it. Short stories are rarely enough for me, but I really enjoyed this book despite a fair amount of misogyny which I think was characteristic of the time the stories take place in... not necessarily the author's own position. I read books to explore different cultures and ways of life and life experiences, and these stories really gave that to me so I really appreciate it for that. The similarities and differences to my own Smith was a bonus!

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really good storytelling here from the heart of British Columbia. St. Pierre's eye and ear are fine tuned for the love/hate relationship the ones who stay have with the land, their animals, and with each other. At times his writing is somewhat reminiscent to me of Jack London (which is high praise in my book), but for the most part it is a unique take on a unique part of the world and way of life.

[spike marlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book full of quality stories of some of the characters in Chilcotin area of British Columbia. Told by an author who lived in the area it reveals the salt travails, hardships, and the eccentrics of the area. Amusing, funny , and heartwarming these stories stand the test of time. Enjoy.

[CindySR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories of ranchers in British Columbia. I enjoyed 6 out of 12. My favorites were the stories of the Smith family.

I liked:

Ol Antoine's Wooden Overcoat
Dry Storm
A Day with a Deer, A Bear and Norah Smith
The Education of Phyllisteen
Frenchie's Wife
Sale of One Small Ranch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4MpO...

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed this collection of related short stories. A cast of characters and stories that were both poignant and funny. Very respectful of human foibles, with a strong bias toward conservative, individualist values. I liked it a lot even though I'm not of that stripe myself.

[Jaimie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given this a 5-star rating, as I've enjoyed it very much over the years and have given it as a gift. However there is one story which was quite upsetting (illustrating a character who committed animal abuse) - as long as you take that into account, it's otherwise a 5-star read.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my review at my blog.