Ozzie Wright’s Reviews > Montana 1948 > Status Update

I knew Frank would commit suicide, and I was not shocked or sad. I'd say he deserved to die after everything he did. David again feels that all problems will go away after Frank's death. Would it have been different if David had done it himself? Though there is trauma left over, the family in the epilogue seems to be mostly healed, so I guess he was right. Julian should have gotten a punishment, too, in my opinion.

I was unsurprised when Julian sent Dale and the men to the house; I knew he would be violent. The mom plays a protective role for David, though he would be better with the shotgun. Luckily, Len came to the rescue. I was shocked when Gail told Wes to let Frank out of the basement, but I considered it might be best. I understand how David feels that if Frank leaves, everything will heal over time and be back to normal.

I was right! Frank was connected with Marie's death. I am not sure what it is, but he did it. David saw him leaving the house at her estimated time of death, and so did Len. Something I found weird was Wesley's reaction to Len seeing Frank: "Oh god, Len saw Frank." This confused me. Wouldn't he want the deputy to know about it? This could come back to when Wes said that the problem was solved earlier in the chapter.

I feel bad for David and what he has gone through as a 12-year-old. It was weird to me that David felt relieved after killing the bird, like he had to end something's life to release the weight of stress. Marie's death made me raise an eyebrow, because she started feeling better, and then Frank started saying things that sounded like excuses that perfectly added up. I believe her death had something to do with Frank.

There is a lot of conflict in the family, and I think it will last a long time. Gail and Wes are upset about everything, and each other. To me, the direction it will go is unclear. It's unclear how to confront Uncle Frank. Wes investigates by talking to a stoic, and highly respected "Indian" man, Ollie. I wonder how Wes will deal with the situation among the other side of the family, and hope he does do so soon.

The news about Frank was shocking and changed the book's trajectory. I am excited to continue reading. Mostly about the father. The quotes "I wish you wouldn't have told the sheriff" and "my father knew he was guilty" made me believe there was conflict, as the father did not want to put him in jail, but he felt like he had to do his job. I liked how David and his family could not see Uncle Frank the same way anymore.

The background that these characters have is showing, and especially the difference between the 2 parents. Frank and Wes make jokes about Native rituals and the "medicine man", but the mother is not amused. Wes has some racist bias that Native Americans are lazy and irresponsible, reflecting the time period. Lastly, I was intrigued by Marie not wanting to be seen by a doctor, which may come from her Native culture.

7 pages in, the story was much different from my prediction. Montana was not wild, but a "blessedly peaceful era". And Mercer County was the "rockiest, sandiest, least arable" land. I liked the touch on the difficulty of life; there was no room to cause trouble. Energy went into staying alive. It was interesting how Wes is unlike a sheriff; he never used a gun or brought the excitement that was promised with his job.