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Crawfish Mountain: A Novel
Ken Wells’s highly acclaimed picaresque Catahoula Bayou novels introduced “one of the most compelling voices in fiction of the last decade” ( Los Angeles Times ). Now Wells is back, writing about his favorite subject–the exotic, beleaguered Louisiana wetlands–in a sharp, rollicking tale of corporate corruption and political shenanigans. The fight over one man’s tract of sacred marsh fronts a deeper story of our place in the environment and our obligations to it.
Justin Pitre’s marsh island, a legacy of his trapper grandfather, is a scenic rival to anything in the Everglades, and he has promised to protect it from all harm. But he hasn’t counted on oil bigwig Tom Huff’s plans to wreck his bayou paradise by ramming a pipeline through it. When cajolery doesn’t sway Justin to sign the land over, Huff turns to darker methods. But Justin and his spirited wife, Grace, prove to be formidable adversaries–and the game is on.
Into the fray comes the charismatic Cajun governor Joe T. Evangeline, who seems more interested in chasing skirts than saving Louisiana’s eroding coast. The Guv, though, is a man on the edge, upended by a midlife crisis and torn between a secret political obligation to Big Oil and the persuasive powers of Julie Galjour, a feisty environmentalist. Julie is clearly out to reform more than the Guv’s ecopolitics, but will his tragicomic Big Oil deals wreck both his career and his chances with the brash and beautiful activist?
As Justin and Grace battle to stop this Big Oil assault, the plot thickens–and the Guv becomes snared in the web. Featuring a gumbo of eccentrics and lowlifes, a kidnapping, a sexy snitch, a toxic-waste-dumping scheme, a boat chase, and a fishing trip gone horribly awry, Crawfish Mountain , spiced with Ken Wells’s keen eye for locale, showcases his adventurous storytelling.
Justin Pitre’s marsh island, a legacy of his trapper grandfather, is a scenic rival to anything in the Everglades, and he has promised to protect it from all harm. But he hasn’t counted on oil bigwig Tom Huff’s plans to wreck his bayou paradise by ramming a pipeline through it. When cajolery doesn’t sway Justin to sign the land over, Huff turns to darker methods. But Justin and his spirited wife, Grace, prove to be formidable adversaries–and the game is on.
Into the fray comes the charismatic Cajun governor Joe T. Evangeline, who seems more interested in chasing skirts than saving Louisiana’s eroding coast. The Guv, though, is a man on the edge, upended by a midlife crisis and torn between a secret political obligation to Big Oil and the persuasive powers of Julie Galjour, a feisty environmentalist. Julie is clearly out to reform more than the Guv’s ecopolitics, but will his tragicomic Big Oil deals wreck both his career and his chances with the brash and beautiful activist?
As Justin and Grace battle to stop this Big Oil assault, the plot thickens–and the Guv becomes snared in the web. Featuring a gumbo of eccentrics and lowlifes, a kidnapping, a sexy snitch, a toxic-waste-dumping scheme, a boat chase, and a fishing trip gone horribly awry, Crawfish Mountain , spiced with Ken Wells’s keen eye for locale, showcases his adventurous storytelling.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2007
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95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 16, 2012
This tale of wetlands preservationists and Big Oil duking it out in the Louisiana bayous was very well written. The message was clear, but not preachy, and the story was very entertaining.
The 'Guv' , and Julie were my favorite love story in the book , though there were several - and the warm ties of friendship and family shone through.
There's even a reference to Junior from one of the author's other books, Junior's Leg, in passing- so if you read very carefully you'll learn what he's been up to since the end of that tale.
Though I really enjoyed Crawfish Mountain, I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the Mealy LaBaueve series. I would recommend this book or that series to anyone who isn't familiar with Ken Wells though - because they're all well worth the read.
The 'Guv' , and Julie were my favorite love story in the book , though there were several - and the warm ties of friendship and family shone through.
There's even a reference to Junior from one of the author's other books, Junior's Leg, in passing- so if you read very carefully you'll learn what he's been up to since the end of that tale.
Though I really enjoyed Crawfish Mountain, I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the Mealy LaBaueve series. I would recommend this book or that series to anyone who isn't familiar with Ken Wells though - because they're all well worth the read.
January 29, 2014
The political struggle between the oil company and the environmental impacts of planned work was very interesting to me. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the bayous and marshes, and the information about how their degradation impacts farther inland. The characters were very believable, and Wells did a good job writing.
There were two things I didn't particularly care for: The amount of graphic information about one of the character's sex life, and the fact that the story just ended. There was quite a build up to the climax, but in the next chapter, there was a meeting and one of the characters had orchestrated a solution that seemed to satisfy all the characters in the situation. It seemed like a quick ending when it would have been more fun to go through the process of how the character came up with the solution.
There were two things I didn't particularly care for: The amount of graphic information about one of the character's sex life, and the fact that the story just ended. There was quite a build up to the climax, but in the next chapter, there was a meeting and one of the characters had orchestrated a solution that seemed to satisfy all the characters in the situation. It seemed like a quick ending when it would have been more fun to go through the process of how the character came up with the solution.
December 17, 2018
Out in the yard, well away from the ears of Juke Charpentier, Justin said exactly what Grace had been thinking. "That's the craziest thing I've ever heard of. Can you imagine what that trench will do? Besides being a scar on our property, it'll ruin all those meanders between the salt marsh and the island and open up the north side to saltwater tides. And if we get salt water up in front of the chenier , our freshwater prairie and the whole swamp is in trouble."
Grace nodded. "In trouble? Doomed, cher. Look at what's happenin' all around us. No, we have to tell this guy in no uncertain terms that we just aren't interested."
"That illustrates two related weaknesses in much environmental policymaking: an assumption that future politicians will take a longer-term view than current ones, and an excessive willingness to discount the future costs of solving environmental problems caused today." ~~ The Economist (See full article under Further Reading links).
~~Fishing by boat around a chenier in the Louisiana bayou.
Meet Justin and Grace Pitre. Their families have lived in the Louisiana delta for generations. Justin has inherited over 500 acres of marshland from his Grandfather, including a substantial chenier dubbed Crawfish Mountain where their fishing camp sits. Grace has strong roots in her Cajun ancestry.
Unfortunately for the Pitres, a giant oil company wants to purchase a right of way for their pipeline directly through their land...and the company's executive in Louisiana, Tom Huff, has sent his pit bull, Juke, to start negotiations. When the Pitres don't immediately jump at the proffered cash deal, Huff digs for dirt in their families past in order to force a deal.
Meanwhile, Julie Galjour, another Cajun and general council for the Department of Environmental Conservation, is fighting a canal planned by the Army Corp of Engineers (and backed by Big Oil) that would have far reaching implications in the health of the coastal wetlands. She is concerned about the real threats of salt water intrusion...worries that are mirrored on a smaller scale by the Pitres. She is hoping to bring Louisiana governor Joe T. Evangeline over to her side, but he has complex and troubling connections with the oil companies.
Bottom line: Wells does an excellent job of using a fictional tale to shine a spotlight on the very real dangers to Louisiana's wetlands and estuaries. The rate of coastal erosion and land loss there is staggering. Despite the compelling premise, I felt the character development was lacking--instead players in the political drama dug into their long-held beliefs until almost unbelievable changes in the last few chapters wrapped up the conflict. The actual debates happening in Louisiana currently are much more complex than Crawfish Mountain portrays, and I doubt any of them are wrapped up so cleanly with a big red bow, and no feelings hurt. Despite my critique, I do recommend this offering as a library checkout for anyone who wants to begin reading about Cajun culture and the threats to their way of life by the rapidly declining Mississippi delta/wetlands. Given 3 stars or a rating of "Good".
Further reading: Here is an excellent article describing the current state of coastal erosion, the causes (both natural and man-made), economic and social consequences, and the bi-partisan efforts to combat land loss. https://www.economist.com/united-stat...
~~And here's an interesting exploration of Cajun culture and history--https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/...
Grace nodded. "In trouble? Doomed, cher. Look at what's happenin' all around us. No, we have to tell this guy in no uncertain terms that we just aren't interested."
"That illustrates two related weaknesses in much environmental policymaking: an assumption that future politicians will take a longer-term view than current ones, and an excessive willingness to discount the future costs of solving environmental problems caused today." ~~ The Economist (See full article under Further Reading links).
~~Fishing by boat around a chenier in the Louisiana bayou.
Meet Justin and Grace Pitre. Their families have lived in the Louisiana delta for generations. Justin has inherited over 500 acres of marshland from his Grandfather, including a substantial chenier dubbed Crawfish Mountain where their fishing camp sits. Grace has strong roots in her Cajun ancestry.
Unfortunately for the Pitres, a giant oil company wants to purchase a right of way for their pipeline directly through their land...and the company's executive in Louisiana, Tom Huff, has sent his pit bull, Juke, to start negotiations. When the Pitres don't immediately jump at the proffered cash deal, Huff digs for dirt in their families past in order to force a deal.
Meanwhile, Julie Galjour, another Cajun and general council for the Department of Environmental Conservation, is fighting a canal planned by the Army Corp of Engineers (and backed by Big Oil) that would have far reaching implications in the health of the coastal wetlands. She is concerned about the real threats of salt water intrusion...worries that are mirrored on a smaller scale by the Pitres. She is hoping to bring Louisiana governor Joe T. Evangeline over to her side, but he has complex and troubling connections with the oil companies.
Bottom line: Wells does an excellent job of using a fictional tale to shine a spotlight on the very real dangers to Louisiana's wetlands and estuaries. The rate of coastal erosion and land loss there is staggering. Despite the compelling premise, I felt the character development was lacking--instead players in the political drama dug into their long-held beliefs until almost unbelievable changes in the last few chapters wrapped up the conflict. The actual debates happening in Louisiana currently are much more complex than Crawfish Mountain portrays, and I doubt any of them are wrapped up so cleanly with a big red bow, and no feelings hurt. Despite my critique, I do recommend this offering as a library checkout for anyone who wants to begin reading about Cajun culture and the threats to their way of life by the rapidly declining Mississippi delta/wetlands. Given 3 stars or a rating of "Good".
Further reading: Here is an excellent article describing the current state of coastal erosion, the causes (both natural and man-made), economic and social consequences, and the bi-partisan efforts to combat land loss. https://www.economist.com/united-stat...
~~And here's an interesting exploration of Cajun culture and history--https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/...
December 16, 2018
A lighter book than I remember Wells' first three novels (I read them ten years ago). The Catahoula Bayou setting is the star, overshadowing the numerous characters. I would have liked more tension. The ending is tied up as neat as a Shakespearean comedy. A pleasant enough read, with some humor.
January 5, 2025
364 pages
Wonderful story of Louisiana, its politics and issues. The bayou itself is a character, which I love. The author can be proud of the authenticity of this book. I love the tagline, "Ken Wells is the Cajun Carl Hiasson!" from Tom Wolfe
Wonderful story of Louisiana, its politics and issues. The bayou itself is a character, which I love. The author can be proud of the authenticity of this book. I love the tagline, "Ken Wells is the Cajun Carl Hiasson!" from Tom Wolfe
April 1, 2020
Loved this author's previous work but this one seemed like his fresh ideas were running low. It's a decent novel, but it lacked the spark of his other books.
April 12, 2023
It’s good but not as good as his Mealy Labouve trilogy.
February 1, 2008
After finishing this book I did a little research on Ken Wells and just as I thought, the fictional "Black Bayou" community is patterned on my home town of Houma. The French names such at Petrie were, of course, familiar as they are all over the Cajun Bayou, but when the author mentioned "Ellinder" I knew. I was born in Ellinder Hospital in Houma!
I also discovered that Ken Wells worked as a journalist in Florida which explains the tone and genre of the book. Remember how I said "This book reminds me of all those Floridian comic environmental tomes?" There you go.
I actually listened to this book and although the reader at times was excellent, his reading of female voices grated on my nerves. Some male readers pull this off very well, but others...and you through in a Cajun accent. No, no, cher.
But it was a fun story with an extremely important message and I highly recommend it along with Mike Tidwell's Bayou Farewell,. See my review here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14...
I also discovered that Ken Wells worked as a journalist in Florida which explains the tone and genre of the book. Remember how I said "This book reminds me of all those Floridian comic environmental tomes?" There you go.
I actually listened to this book and although the reader at times was excellent, his reading of female voices grated on my nerves. Some male readers pull this off very well, but others...and you through in a Cajun accent. No, no, cher.
But it was a fun story with an extremely important message and I highly recommend it along with Mike Tidwell's Bayou Farewell,. See my review here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14...
February 20, 2008
I had a great time reading this book, as I was vey familiar with the locale and culture in which it takes place; I'm not sure what my reaction would have been if I were not. It was, in any case, a fun story with a vey important message. I hope that this book helps to achieve broader recognition of the serious problem of the loss of the La. wetlands.
I think that the portrayal of the cajun culture was accurate, but it was laid on a little thick; e.g. every meal eaten in So. La. is not seafood or gumbo. Please--how about an occasional hambuger or pizza? The similies and methophors were overdone, as well; can we be expected to believe that EVERY character is the book speaks in such poetic language as "troubles bigger than a sumo wrester's ass?"
I like the 3 previous novels better, but I like the message in this one, and I look forward to more from Ken Wells.
I think that the portrayal of the cajun culture was accurate, but it was laid on a little thick; e.g. every meal eaten in So. La. is not seafood or gumbo. Please--how about an occasional hambuger or pizza? The similies and methophors were overdone, as well; can we be expected to believe that EVERY character is the book speaks in such poetic language as "troubles bigger than a sumo wrester's ass?"
I like the 3 previous novels better, but I like the message in this one, and I look forward to more from Ken Wells.
May 6, 2015
The story of the little guy vs. the big guy is told here, with details about the bayou country, money movement between deep pockets, big oil, lying, cheating, stealing, fishing, and surprisingly tender romances. It's a classic story, told with just enough outrage to let the reader know that, while the book is fictional, it's also true.
Wells draws a great cast of characters (who doesn't love to hate a guy with a Napoleonic complex?) and descriptions of the bayou that make you ache to stand on a boat and listen to the birds.
Wells draws a great cast of characters (who doesn't love to hate a guy with a Napoleonic complex?) and descriptions of the bayou that make you ache to stand on a boat and listen to the birds.
January 22, 2009
I had read Meely LaBauve by Ken Wells and liked the style, so I thought I'd read another of his books. This was not nearly up to the standard. It could have been written by a high school student who knew Louisana well. What a disappointment. I stuck with it and read the whole thing, but I can't understand why I did. Characters were shallow, dialog was silly and predictable. The ending was the worst! Everything fit so neatly it made me sick!
May 14, 2008
I'm not sure what attracted me to the book but I enjoyed it somewhat, mostly for the exploration of Louisiana culture. It's an entertaining book that is suspenseful but it's over the top with the message it's trying to get across: protection of LA's wetlands. I totally agree with that but I like authors to be more subtle with their agendas.
December 22, 2008
A sweet story that takes place in Louisiana. It has a satisfying and hopelessly romantic ending. Written in the style of Carl Hiaasen's book of Florida corruption amidst heartwarming stories, Wells pulls off the same tone and feel. It almost made me interested in taking an up close look at the swamps. Almost.
November 16, 2012
I enjoy Ken Wells a lot and this book was a fun read, but not as wacky and wild as his LeBauve trilogy which includes one of my all time favorites--Junior's Leg. Crawfish Mountain was a very environmentally conscious book in the style of Hiassen.
February 19, 2008
This book is pretty slow to start. Eventually, (about 2/3rds into the book it gets very good. It just takes awhile to get there.
January 28, 2008
Very charming tale of a small city in Bayou country. Big-city politics mix with backwoods heros. Ken Wells is very familiar with his characters and can paint an excellent portrait.
February 10, 2008
The author had a good story line with the oil companies versus the marsh. But, he over-did the Louisiana politics and the characters. The story was too far-fetched.
September 11, 2008
Good ole'boys meet Oil Co. politics and greed in La. Real good so far.I finished it and am still of the same opinion.It was fun
June 3, 2008
I would only read this book if you are really into Louisiana politics or the oil industry. I didn't care much for it.
May 13, 2009
This book has it all - romance, suspense, environmental issues, gorgeous scenery & some really bad guys.
November 15, 2009
Another to add to my list of books that I've read recently with a little too much going on for one story. The characters were a little to stereotypical Cajun, but it was still an interesting read.
April 19, 2010
It wasn't quite the zaniness of Carl Hiaasen but not a bad Cajun version of that fun, with good guys to root for.
March 17, 2010
This book was great. If you know anything about Cajun life, you will get a real kick out of it.
August 18, 2010
A political, satirical pageturner about a serious subject - read for Bill's reading group at the time of the oil spill in the Gulf - totally unplanned timing but very appropriate.
May 27, 2012
The ending was a bit contrived but overall a good read. Great description of the bayous of Louisiana as well as of the Cajun people. Very entertaining as well as informative.
October 21, 2012
I LOVED Ken Wells' Meely LeBauve trilogy, and was hoping this one showed the same excellent storytelling skill. The storyline wasn't my cup of tea (or Community coffee, for that matter).
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April 22, 2015Tried to get through this book a second time. Still boring.
February 4, 2016
Really enjoyed the audiobook!
December 15, 2016
Very similar to Hiassen.
October 29, 2008
A little predictable but still a good night stand book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews