The Man Who Owned Vermont

by Bret Lott

When Rick Wheeler's wife walks out on him, he nearly drowns in despair. So the RC Cola salesman throws himself into work -- setting sales records, winning a promotion, burying himself in the lonely present while he scours the past for hope. Then at last on a cold Vermont morning, a hunter and his prey show him unexpectedly, haltingly, the way back to love and faith.

Genres: Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1988

About the author

Bret Lott is the bestselling author of fourteen books, most recently the nonfiction collection Letters and Life: On Being a Writer, On Being a Christian (Crossway 2013) and the novel Dead Low Tide (Random House 2012). Other books include the story collection The Difference Between Women and Men, the nonfiction book Before We Get Started: A Practical Memoir of the Writer’s Life, and the novels Jewel, an Oprah Book Club pick, and A Song I Knew by Heart. His work has appeared in, among other places, The Yale Review, The New York Times, The Georgia Review and in dozens of anthologies.

Born in Los Angeles, he received his BA in English from Cal State Long Beach in 1981, and his MFA in fiction from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 1984, where he studied under James Baldwin. From 1986 to 2004 he was writer-in-residence and professor of English at The College of Charleston, leaving to take the position of editor and director of the journal The Southern Review at Louisiana State University. Three years later, in the fall of 2007, he returned to The College of Charleston and the job he most loves: teaching.

His honors include being named Fulbright Senior American Scholar and writer-in-residence to Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv, speaking on Flannery O’Connor at The White House, and having served as a member of the National Council on the Arts from 2006 to 2012. Currently he is nonfiction editor of the journal Crazyhorse. He and his wife, Melanie, live in South Carolina.

Reviews

[Katy M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if the main character was supposed to be likable or sympathetic, but as far as I'm concerned he was NOT. All the characters were flat and two dimensional. There was no satisfactory resolution at the end. The title comes from one incredibly stupid scene in the book. (no the book does not take place in Vermont, but Mass, mostly southern Mass at that). And the writing was junior high level. I can't count how many times the characters laughed, mostly nervously.

[Mary Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Depressing, but well written fiction story of an emotionally shallow, selfish young man's perspective of love and his wife's miscarriage. Contains language & sex.

[Barbara Melosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrenching and well wrought novel about a marriage foundering after miscarriage, from point of view of the husband.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Jewel, so when I was looking for something to read, I picked this randomly based on liking Lott’s previous book. It’s told from the perspective of a husband with marital problems. I enjoyed it even though it was a slow start. The characters were real and relatable & Rick’s experiences and interactions were believable. Sometimes it seems men don’t have a clue what women are thinking or feeling & Mr Lott did a great job conveying that cluelessness.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is terrible. The main character is an awful and unlikeable. He treats his wife terribly and the reader is supposed to feel sympathy for him after she leaves? Nope he sucks.

[Alex Chiarelott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for anyone who found movies like Blue Valentine or Marriage Story engaging

[Ian Kittle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a friend.

It is about relationships. The last page I wanted why I took the trouble to read it.

Not my kind of book.

[Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite part about this book was the fact that it got blurbed by James Baldwin. But he wasn't even the first blurb nor featured particularly prominently. I suppose that relates to its 1987 publication date.

This was a pretty solid piece of writing leaving aside plot and thematic choices by the author. Stop reading to avoid a spoil, but the book is about a straight couple who have separated because of their difficulty overcoming a miscarriage. It was told from the husband's perspective and was certainly male-centered if not sexist in its tone.

It maintained my interest though it was depressing and very much an 80s period piece.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 STARS

"When Rick Wheeler's wife walks out on him, he nearly drowns in despair. So the RC Cola salesman throws himself into work -- setting sales records, winning a promotion, burying himself in the lonely present while he scours the past for hope. Then at last on a cold Vermont morning, a hunter and his prey show him unexpectedly, haltingly, the way back to love and faith." (From Amazon)

This novel wasn't as good as Jewel but it was well-written.

[Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ultimately a love story. Recounted very tiny details in the life of an RC-Cola route salesman (learned some interesting stuff there). He and his wife became estranged after she had a miscarriage and it took him a while to realize why their relationship fell apart.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this book because I really enjoyed Lott's book Jewel. This was a good story, but nowhere near as enjoyable as Jewel.

[Christine Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

i thoroughly enjoyed lott's book, jewel. this one was also a good read, but it did not grab me as i anticipated it would.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

**

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the tradition of Richard Ford, John Cheever, John Updike.
Great writing. Good story.