White Creek: A Fable

by Bart Yates

A witty, haunting tale of family and friendship, regret and redemption, set on a remote Wyoming cattle ranch in the dead of winter. The White Creek Ranch has been in Hap Cobb’s family for over a century and a half, but Hap is now eighty-two, and the last surviving member of his family. Tart-tongued, moody, and all too often “a miserable old fart” (in the words of his long-suffering ranch hand and closest friend, Aaron Littlefield), Hap has no rival as a home cook, owns the best-stocked private library in the state, and prides himself on his “God-given ability” to exasperate everyone he meets. The enormous ranch house he inherited long ago from his grandfather stands mostly empty these days, save for Hap and Aaron, and while their life together is both busy and comfortable, Hap often loses himself in his past, knowing he has little future left. When a sudden blizzard hits one January evening, however, and Aaron opens the door to a young woman and a teenaged boy seeking shelter from the storm, everything Hap thought he knew about the world begins to shift. With these two unlooked-for houseguests, the White Creek Ranch soon becomes a wellspring of mystery and possibility, and will never be the same again. A story of magical realism in the tradition of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and John Crowley.

Genres: Fiction

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2017

About the author

Author also writes as Noah Bly

Bart Yates was born in Cheyenne, WY, raised in Lamoni, IA, educated in Boston, MA, and now lives in Iowa City, IA, with the world's finest and most discerning cat.

In addition to writing, Yates is a musician, and plays clarinet, saxophone, and bass guitar.

His latest novel is THE VERY LONG, VERY STRANGE LIFE OF ISAAC DAHL, available in stores on July 23, 2024.

For personal blogs, reviews, and info about upcoming events, readers can visit his website: bartyates.com

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This book sat on my "To Read" shelf for 6 years. I'd read most of Yates' (and Noah Bly's) other works and enjoyed them all. But I held off on this book. I am so glad I finally did read it. What an absolute joy; unexpected, uplifting and positive in spite of some not so pleasant past occurrences in the story. The ending was indeed a bit of magical realism. I see Yates has a book due to be published in 2024. I won't wait so long to read that!

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different story/tale/fantasy

This is a story that doesn't fit neatly into a genre. It's difficult to review because a review will give too much away. So go ahead and read it and accept that it's probably unlike anything you've read before.

[Ky-ndly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I have read Yates' earlier works and always finished each book with a sad but accomplished state-of-mind.

Was not sure what the journey entailed and with any other author, I probably would have given up but I knew I was in for a shock...and I was. Well done.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. Definitely eerie (magical surrealism) and I simultaneously wanted to rush to the end and yet wanted it NOT to end! Can't say much more without giving away the plot.

[Lindsey Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I thought I had this book figured out--which was often--it took a turn to prove me wrong and I became more intrigued than ever. Yates more than lives up to his signature wit and breathes life into beautifully complex characters in this little book. It kept me thinking long after it ended, with its multi-layered story and fantastical consequences. Remembering the ending still makes me shiver.

[Jeri Claridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarminly Eerie

This was just such a natural setting with these characters and the biting, bitter snowstorms. The landscape was ideal for the side-splitting vernacular of good ole Hap, the protagonist. I found myself repeating aloud his terms so I can apply them to others down the road. As do ALL of this author's stories (including as Noah Bly), I found myself crying as well as laughing

[Damian Serbu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yates is a gifted story teller, and this is not exception. It yanked me into the world of Wyoming, which I know nothing about, and made me feel like I had lived there my entire life. The characters come to life, and the magical realism is captivating.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not was I expected. Intense. The writing is superb.
Loved it.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story.

[Wil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magical realism is not generally my thing, but I did find this "fable" entertaining and fun to read. Hap's foul language, however, became tiresome and served as a detraction from the story.