I just finsished the book and all I can say is wow. This book reminded me of a great childhood I had growing in the Mississippi Delta just south of Lake Providence. I could picture the bottoms, the swamps, the cutover, the open vastness of the crop fields that remind me so much of where I grew up in this book. This book has given me the motivation and the desire to make sure my children experience everything that Gordon has made grand. I just wish there was another book in the works. Thanks Gordon for a book well written to the point that I thought I was there.
Your Friend,
Rusty Arledge
by Rusty Arledge
Mon Apr 24th, 2006 @ 11:11 pm
There aren’t too many “men” writers these days, and that’s disappointing. Anyone who has ever read The Sun Also Rises could never forget the emotional depths Hemingway painted when Jake and Bill shed the constraints of city life to fish together in the mountain streams of Pamplona. In that scene, Hemingway simply showed readers the honest cores of two regular men, but what emerged was one of the most graceful passages in all of classic literature.
Where Hemingway left off, Gordon Hutchinson continues in "The Quest and the Quarry." Two award-winning short stories form the basis of this novel, which brings readers into the life of a Mississippi farming and hunting family, and exposes them to the simple pleasures of camaraderie, family, and freedom from the constraints of city living.
The tale begins with a story of an old man’s quiet wisdom, elegant in its simplicity, decisive in its certainty. From there it expands, introducing readers to a Southern family and describing the family’s longstanding relationship with its farmland. The straightforward dignity of the lifestyle quickly entrances the reader, which is the ultimate purpose of the story. As the tale progresses, the family faces down joy and adversity in the backwoods. The men hunt, farm, and enjoy each other’s company in a uniquely male way. There’s drinking, card games, practical jokes—and true friendship. Meanwhile, the bonds between them—and between them and the reader—grow. It’s almost as though by bringing the reader along with the family, Hutchinson slowly permits the family to accept the reader.
And Hutchinson is a gifted storyteller. With an incisive eye for detail, he conveys all the little aspects of the hunt—from the bitter cold of hunting in the pre-dawn rain to the vivid tastes of the food made at camp—that are necessary for a reader to truly experience it. In so doing, he makes this story accessible to all readers; you need not have any hunting experience, or even like the idea of hunting, to appreciate his message. He changes perspectives at crucial points in the story, allowing it to evolve naturally while providing an overarching perspective of this family’s way of life. He writes with a light touch and a steady, patient rhythm that bespeaks the deep-set values embodied by the book’s family. His dialogue rings true and conveys a dialect that is at times hilarious, while at others, deeply touching. Further, he empathizes with all of his characters, showing an incredible ability to see from others’ perspectives, including—amazingly—that of the hunted deer. His tones are always well matched to the events taking place, easily shifting from mischievous, during moments of carefree revelry, to deep melancholy, as the central tragedies occur.
The dominant theme is simply the raw emotions men feel as they face the challenges of life, some self-imposed, others thrust upon them. Hutchinson expertly and honestly conveys these emotions. He seamlessly juxtaposes the thrill of the hunt and the deep, bitter regret of killing animals as majestic as deer. He captures outsiders’ desires for acceptance by an admired group. He also describes the deep longing to control one’s own destiny, as well as the concomitant joy when aspects of that control are wrenched from nature and society. Subtle is his expression of a simple yet powerful desire to be a good person—to conform to the example of one’s idol, and to properly love a woman—as well as the despair men experience when they fear that they are failing. Finally, he conveys an old man’s patient confidence that strong family bonds will always carry the day, able to heal even the deepest of wounds.
What emerges is exactly what Hutchinson aims for: the case for a simpler life, where the values of older generations survive in younger ones. Boys (and a girl) learn to lead a character-driven life by watching the men they admire simply be men. The sometimes cruel whims of nature temper men’s characters, while also cultivating bonds in ways that a more plush lifestyle simply cannot. Although many of us will never even begin to experience this reality, simply reading the book reminds us of the things we are missing, and perhaps the values we should strive for in our own ways. And although a very “male” book, "The Quest and the Quarry" has many female fans, who express gratitude at being given such an honest look at what happens when men let their guard down. In this time of “academic thrillers” and false memoirs, Hutchinson takes us back to an era of classic literature that has fallen by the wayside. I would recommend that anyone looking for a good nighttime read not hesitate for a second to order a copy. You’ll be all the better for it.
by John Kabealo
by John Kabealo
Tue Apr 4th, 2006 @ 11:44 pm
Gordon,
My sister, Cooky Browning gave me a copy of "The Quest And The Quarry" for Christmas. It looked interesting but when I get a chance to read it is always history. In fact I haven't read anything for entertainment for the past 20 years except history and primarily history of the Civil War and the Antibellum South. So when I saw this book I thought to myself, "I have thumbed through a hundred books that on the covery looked like just another hunting story." Yesterday Feb. 28th (Mardi Gras Day) my wife went in to the hospital to have some out patient surgery so I picked it up and took it with me knowing I would need something to do for several hours. After all, my sister did give it to me for Christmas and I figured some light reading just might help pass the time while in the waiting room.
Oh my goodness! Was I in for a treat or what? I bearly remember the doctor coming out and briefing me on how things went. And by the time I was taken back to the recovery room I had to be lead by the hand to keep from running into the doors and walls. I know the nurses must have thought I was crazy because one minute I would be laughing and the next I would have to swallow hard to keep back the tears. When it was time for my wife to be discharged I kept telling her just a few more minutes. She would wait a few minutes and then say, "Honey, I really would like to go home now." And I would reply,"Just one more page." Now that I look back on it, I was awful. But the book was terrific. I have never read a hunting article in any of the nationally known outdoor magazines that pulled me in as did "The Quest and the Quarry." I was there. I just could not put it down. When I was in college at LSU getting my degrees in engineering I read some of Hemmingways writings but I never felt this good when finished with one of his.
It is really a joy to know that one of the kids I went to high school with at Central has this kind of talent.
Thanks so much for the ride and the experiences. My big sister sure can pick em.
by Louis "Rusty" Chemin
by Louis Chemin
Tue Apr 4th, 2006 @ 11:42 pm
Gordon,
Just finished reading the book, and I must say that I was very impressed. It takes me back to a time that reminds me of my childhood growing up in Plaucheville Louisiana. The preferred method for hunting deer was with dogs, and horses, and as your book tells its tale something became very clear to me, I was one of the chaps who wanted to grow up and be just like all the men who got to ride the horses and shoot at the biggest deer and come back to camp with the most adventure that a deer hunt could possibly generate in the mind of a kid. I came to the big city (Baton Rouge) at the age of 14 and although I ocasionally went back to hunt in the old Avoylles Hunting Club the use of the dogs was slowly phased out and still huntig took over, so it never was the same. I am an avid sportsman, and I love to sit in a stand and take in all the sights and sounds nature offers me on each of my vigils for the ever so smart whitetail deer, but I am truely grateful that I had a little piece of my 31 years sitting on a stump listening to the hounds. This is a great book and I will highly recommend it to all of my friends, it takes me back to the most peaceful time of my like. Keep up the good work Hutch.
by Eddie J. Beard
by Eddie J. Beard
Tue Apr 4th, 2006 @ 11:40 pm
Gordon,
Just finished reading the book, and I must say that I was very impressed. It takes me back to a time that reminds me of my childhood growing up in Plaucheville Louisiana. The preferred method for hunting deer was with dogs, and horses, and as your book tells its tale something became very clear to me, I was one of the chaps who wanted to grow up and be just like all the men who got to ride the horses and shoot at the biggest deer and come back to camp with the most adventure that a deer hunt could possibly generate in the mind of a kid. I came to the big city (Baton Rouge) at the age of 14 and although I ocasionally went back to hunt in the old Avoylles Hunting Club the use of the dogs was slowly phased out and still huntig took over, so it never was the same. I am an avid sportsman, and I love to sit in a stand and take in all the sights and sounds nature offers me on each of my vigils for the ever so smart whitetail deer, but I am truely grateful that I had a little piece of my 31 years sitting on a stump listening to the hounds. This is a great book and I will highly recommend it to all of my friends, it takes me back to the most peaceful time of my like. Keep up the good work Hutch.
by Eddie J. Beard
Wed Mar 15th, 2006 @ 4:04 pm
Gordon,
My sister, Cooky Browning gave me a copy of "The Quest And The Quarry" for Christmas. It looked interesting but when I get a chance to read it is always history. In fact I haven't read anything for entertainment for the past 20 years except history and primarily history of the Civil War and the Antibellum South. So when I saw this book I thought to myself, "I have thumbed through a hundred books that on the covery looked like just another hunting story." Yesterday Feb. 28th (Mardi Gras Day) my wife went in to the hospital to have some out patient surgery so I picked it up and took it with me knowing I would need something to do for several hours. After all, my sister did give it to me for Christmas and I figured some light reading just might help pass the time while in the waiting room.
Oh my goodness! Was I in for a treat or what? I bearly remember the doctor coming out and briefing me on how things went. And by the time I was taken back to the recovery room I had to be lead by the hand to keep from running into the doors and walls. I know the nurses must have thought I was crazy because one minute I would be laughing and the next I would have to swallow hard to keep back the tears. When it was time for my wife to be discharged I kept telling her just a few more minutes. She would wait a few minutes and then say, "Honey, I really would like to go home now." And I would reply,"Just one more page." Now that I look back on it, I was awful. But the book was terrific. I have never read a hunting article in any of the nationally known outdoor magazines that pulled me in as did "The Quest and the Quarry." I was there. I just could not put it down. When I was in college at LSU getting my degrees in engineering I read some of Hemmingways writings but I never felt this good when finished with one of his.
It is really a joy to know that one of the kids I went to high school with at Central has this kind of talent.
Thanks so much for the ride and the experiences. My big sister sure can pick em.
by Louis "Rusty" Chemin
Wed Mar 1st, 2006 @ 8:10 am
There aren’t too many “men” writers these days, and that’s disappointing. Anyone who has ever read The Sun Also Rises could never forget the emotional depths Hemingway painted when Jake and Bill shed the constraints of city life to fish together in the mountain streams of Pamplona. In that scene, Hemingway simply showed readers the honest cores of two regular men, but what emerged was one of the most graceful passages in all of classic literature.
Where Hemingway left off, Gordon Hutchinson continues in "The Quest and the Quarry." Two award-winning short stories form the basis of this novel, which brings readers into the life of a Mississippi farming and hunting family, and exposes them to the simple pleasures of camaraderie, family, and freedom from the constraints of city living.
The tale begins with a story of an old man’s quiet wisdom, elegant in its simplicity, decisive in its certainty. From there it expands, introducing readers to a Southern family and describing the family’s longstanding relationship with its farmland. The straightforward dignity of the lifestyle quickly entrances the reader, which is the ultimate purpose of the story. As the tale progresses, the family faces down joy and adversity in the backwoods. The men hunt, farm, and enjoy each other’s company in a uniquely male way. There’s drinking, card games, practical jokes—and true friendship. Meanwhile, the bonds between them—and between them and the reader—grow. It’s almost as though by bringing the reader along with the family, Hutchinson slowly permits the family to accept the reader.
And Hutchinson is a gifted storyteller. With an incisive eye for detail, he conveys all the little aspects of the hunt—from the bitter cold of hunting in the pre-dawn rain to the vivid tastes of the food made at camp—that are necessary for a reader to truly experience it. In so doing, he makes this story accessible to all readers; you need not have any hunting experience, or even like the idea of hunting, to appreciate his message. He changes perspectives at crucial points in the story, allowing it to evolve naturally while providing an overarching perspective of this family’s way of life. He writes with a light touch and a steady, patient rhythm that bespeaks the deep-set values embodied by the book’s family. His dialogue rings true and conveys a dialect that is at times hilarious, while at others, deeply touching. Further, he empathizes with all of his characters, showing an incredible ability to see from others’ perspectives, including—amazingly—that of the hunted deer. His tones are always well matched to the events taking place, easily shifting from mischievous, during moments of carefree revelry, to deep melancholy, as the central tragedies occur.
The dominant theme is simply the raw emotions men feel as they face the challenges of life, some self-imposed, others thrust upon them. Hutchinson expertly and honestly conveys these emotions. He seamlessly juxtaposes the thrill of the hunt and the deep, bitter regret of killing animals as majestic as deer. He captures outsiders’ desires for acceptance by an admired group. He also describes the deep longing to control one’s own destiny, as well as the concomitant joy when aspects of that control are wrenched from nature and society. Subtle is his expression of a simple yet powerful desire to be a good person—to conform to the example of one’s idol, and to properly love a woman—as well as the despair men experience when they fear that they are failing. Finally, he conveys an old man’s patient confidence that strong family bonds will always carry the day, able to heal even the deepest of wounds.
What emerges is exactly what Hutchinson aims for: the case for a simpler life, where the values of older generations survive in younger ones. Boys (and a girl) learn to lead a character-driven life by watching the men they admire simply be men. The sometimes cruel whims of nature temper men’s characters, while also cultivating bonds in ways that a more plush lifestyle simply cannot. Although many of us will never even begin to experience this reality, simply reading the book reminds us of the things we are missing, and perhaps the values we should strive for in our own ways. And although a very “male” book, "The Quest and the Quarry" has many female fans, who express gratitude at being given such an honest look at what happens when men let their guard down. In this time of “academic thrillers” and false memoirs, Hutchinson takes us back to an era of classic literature that has fallen by the wayside. I would recommend that anyone looking for a good nighttime read not hesitate for a second to order a copy. You’ll be all the better for it.
by John Kabealo
Mon Feb 13th, 2006 @ 10:04 pm
Being the mother of four sons and coming from a family of small-game hunters, I was looking for a book that would introduce my youngest son to the world of big-game hunters. With Quest and the Quarry we got that and much more. This book speaks of a time when men were men and boys wanted to be those men.
Hutchinson takes us with ease and realism from the mind of the hunter to the mind of the deer. His writing is akin to a beautiful ballet of the woods, where the dance ends victoriously for either the prey or the predator while weaving the lifelike drama of southern realism throughout.
My son and I know more about deer and deer hunting than we did before, but we got our education while looking through the eyes of a southern culture rapidly growing dim. It is my deep hope that Hutchinson will reach in his bag of short stories and pull together another great book that will take us as deep into another realm of the forgotten south.
by Wendy Wilson Billiot
Wed Dec 28th, 2005 @ 12:29 am
This sounds amazingly similar to a hunting club Gordon used to hunt in. This was in Jefferson County Mississippi. Hopefully he will read this and write me back and we will talk about the good old days at Cypress Grove.
by Mike Yearick
Fri Oct 7th, 2005 @ 8:58 am
I must say, when first opening the novel The Quest and the Quarry by Gordon Hutchinson, I was skeptical. I am not a hunter, and the only experience I have had involving the hunt consisted of a single hunting trip where I fired a rifle only once at an unmoving metal can. After reading a review by Alan Clemons, where he thanks Hutchinson for “taking [him] to [his] own beginnings of deer hunting with [his] father,“ I wondered if I would be able to connect to the characters as well as someone who had these memories to fall back on. Once beginning the novel, however, I discovered that you don’t need your own hunting memories to borrow the vivid and moving tales Hutchinson so generously lends and make them your own. The story unfolds expertly, following the lives and experiences of several members of a rural Mississippi family. The point of view changes throughout the novel, allowing a broad look into the lives of all the characters, each connected by the strongest bond of all - family strength. This novel is about hunting, filling the mind with the excitement and thrill involved in winning a trophy buck while on horseback after weeks of preparation, but it also delves deeper than the mere passion of the hunt itself. Encompassing a tale of a young boy growing into a wise “old timer”, Hutchinson reveals the true story hidden in the excitement of the hunt. The lessons taught to young chaps by their fathers and grandfathers as they learn to fire rifles and ride horses are innumerable and irreplaceable. With chapters that will make you cry, chapters that will make you laugh out loud, and chapters that will make you do both at once, The Quest and the Quarry brings the strength that belongs to this rural Mississippi family to life. I am a city girl with a country heart, and this novel brought me in and gave me the privilege of becoming a part of this remarkable, strong and cohesive family.
by Kerry Jenkins
Mon Aug 1st, 2005 @ 1:07 pm
Gordon Hutchinson does what few authors can: take you back to a specific memory, an exact place, a moment in time and help you relive it again with the vividness of when it occurred. The clasp on a shoulder from an adult signifying a job well done, laughter and a rough joke in deer camp after supper, the "growing up" of boys to men in rituals handed down through generations. Thank you, Gordon, for taking me to the Delta with your family and to my own beginnings of deer hunting with my father all those years ago.
by Alan Clemons, The Huntsville (Ala.) Times
Thu Jul 21st, 2005 @ 2:17 pm
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