I loved The Big Sky with its colorful characters - Boone Caudill, Jim Deakins, and Dick Summers. Caudill is probably the most complex of the characters in this novel but is doomed to "fade away" while Dick Summers learns to survive in the changing west. Nevertheless, I cherish the author's characterization of Caudill because he has turned away from civilization and is totally committed to a primitive, savage way of life. Like many of us would like to do, he exchanges a calm quiet existence for one that is exciting and challenging. Guthrie is a fine writer whose dialog helps you visualize the characters of the novel. This is a fun read with a historical basis.

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