by
Tarry Stools
“Life is a Donner Party #2” is about Tarry Stools, a guy living in a small town where strange things and odd people are normal. In this novel, Tarry shares crazy stories about the town, government secrets, and his own rough past, including problems with the police and the Catholic Church. Tarry’s journey through weird local politics and dealing with voices in his head is full of dark humor and makes you think.
Where Tarry lives, the C.I.A. is the second-largest employer after logging, and the town is rife with strange characters like Smurph, a man with a duct-taped bag on his head due to a mysterious medical condition. The local culture is steeped in conspiracy theories, bizarre medical practices, a big sense of being watched, as evidenced by Tarry’s run-ins with government agents, cops, and his crazy experiences with psychological harassment. So how does Tarry make sense of his wild life?
The story is quite a ride. From start to the end, this book is full of interesting conversations, weird situations, and stimulating ideas. It’s mostly a long chat between the narrator and a guy named Ben, with lots of side stories and random thoughts thrown in. Here’s what stood out. The characters in this book are really unique, especially the narrator and Ben. Their banter is sharp, funny, and sometimes really deep. They talk about everything from cultural relativism to the weird guy. These characters feel real and their conversations are the kind you might overhear in a bar or a coffee shop and want to join in on.
Stools has a very casual and easy-to-read writing style. It feels like you’re sitting right there with them, maybe having a beer, listening to these guys talk. Some of the stories are funny, some are sad, and some are just plain bizarre. For example, the bit about the narrator teaching his kid not to eat French fries by being a “hypocrite” and stuffing his own face with them. It’s hilarious and kind of sweet at the same time.
The book touches on heavy themes like mental health, social justice, and human behavior. Smurph’s case for example, shows that sometimes society doesn’t know how to deal with what it can’t understand. Another theme is how communities deal with outsiders or those who are different. How people in Humboldt are trying to push the town to secede and how everyone wants to leave this “incredible place” due to a lack of gratitude and perspective. People often want what they don’t have and don’t appreciate what they do have. The book is full of humor, often dark and satirical, but it also talks about the absurdity of some social norms and the hypocrisy we often live with. Sometimes it may feel like the stories are jumping all over the place, but they also add to the charm that you’re just hanging out with the narrator like a friend.
“Life is a Donner Party #2” is a unique read about a man trying to make sense of his wild life in a town that’s anything but normal. It’s full of wit and sharp observations about life and human nature. It will make you laugh and think!
– The Moving Words Review
Official Entry: The Most Moving Book Award, Jan. 3, 2025
