Jonathan K (Max Outlier)’s Reviews > Martin Marten > Status Update

Whether you're familiar with Brian or not and enjoy lyrical narrative with uplifting themes, I urge you to read his books. All are driven by joy in the moment, nature and all its wonder and small communities in Oregon whose people love one another as do the animals. An author who stands apart from all others and passed away young.

Not to sound like a broken record but I can't say enough about how astounding this is. Of his three novels each is unique unto its own but the lyrical phrasing, POV used and how he will stop and say, I think it's time we pause, as if he's narrating puts this in another category. I find myself shaking my head in wonder amazed at Brian's creativity

Can't ever remember seeing an author writing how one mountain was in love with another. Brian adds a parallel between Dave and his friend Cadence and the marten named Martin finding a mate. While many non fiction authors pay homage to nature we rarely see creativity such as this

Hard to put into words how remarkable this is and reading it a second time feels like the first. Brian's ability to offer POV from characters, nature, animals and as story narrator are unrivaled as is his sense of wonder and humor

As with Mink River and the Plover Brian pays homage to nature and all its creation, humans among them. Here he plays narrator of the story and will pause progress on occasion to address things like Zig Zag, a hamlet composed of cabins whose occupants vary. Among them are characters not mentioned in the story but important nonetheless. He will also talk about animals, the creek and more

Storytelling at its best!

A pure delight for the second time around. A story of teenage Dave who runs and works for Miss Moss and the marten named Martin who observes and wonders about humans

What Brian emphasizes in all his books is the role stories play in life. Whether they're human, animal or elements of Nature, stories are the fabric of life. This is beautiful when you realize few if any other authors of stories ever point this out. A song of words, lyrics of nature and joy in every chapter

This is what creative storytelling is about. Characters with quirks yet relatable. Plots that involve people and animals who bear similarity. And a lyrical narrative style that causes us to smile and wonder.

As with both Mink River and the Plover, revisiting Zig Zag where Dave and his family live along with a marten named Martin and an elk named Louis is a pleasure in all ways imaginable. The more I read the sadder I grow about the loss of Brian Doyle. As the song goes, only the good die young