Nathan Jorgenson

This was a book I randomly selected at Goodwill, drawn to the play on the title having nothing to do with the cover. From the first page, I never put this book down. Once I hit the last page, I started it again. There are a handful of books that I have ever had really speak to me, and this is one of them. For anyone who has ever felt lost in life, confused about the path you’re on, regret chances you didn’t take... this one is for you. Regardless of fiction or not, the author draws you in, methodically alters your thoughts and proves that anyone can have a do-over if they want it bad enough.… (mais)

Dr Joe Mix is in a job he hates and in a love less marriage. He is a dentist, but he never wanted to be a dentist, he just wanted to be a cowboy like his father. He has a beautiful wife, but she loves the luxury life style his profession affords, but not him. So one day he decides to walk on on his present life, and make a fresh start, leaving everything to his wife.

We follow Joe Mix as he comes to this momentous decision, and has he subsequently tries to find his way, and in the process, himself. He leaves his former life with just a few treasured possessions including his fishing gear, and his old beat up truck. He acquires little on the way other than a delightful puppy dog, but he soon begins to understand what is really important and what makes a man truly rich.

Whatever one might think of Joe's decision to up and leave, one is soon won over to this charming man. Along the way we meet some fascinating characters, including James, the likeable young and naïve cowboy; Murdo, always with a story or two of his latest amorous pursuits; and Marsh, who plays an unusual game of golf.

The Mulligan is a beautiful story, insightful and thought provoking, at times quite touching, occasionally very moving. It my not be the greatest writing, but it is a story well worth reading, and a story I am sure from which one will come away a better person for having read.… (mais)

Grant Thorson has had a good life with everything seemingly going his way; raised in a good loving family environment with a father he admires and respects, successful at college, a decent career, a beautiful and loving wife and a lovely daughter, and Will Campbell, his best best and life long friend. But as we join him he is just getting over the first of the tragedies that will beset his life, the death of his wife.

Grant leads a comfortable life, now living in the log cabin of his dreams set in five acres on the shores of Spider Lake, North Minnesota, where he spends most of his free time hunting and shooting with Will. Their remarkable friendship is unconditional, they holding nothing back, they share everything down to the tin mug they drink coffee from while fishing or shooting. This friendship sustains Grant through the loss of his wife and again when another tragedy befalls Grant. Things begin to look brighter for Grant when he falls in love again with a beautiful women, but there is yet another horror in store for him, will he be able to find the strength to get through this one?

Waiting for White Horses is a beautiful story, the friendship Grant and Will enjoy is unique, one that has seen them through college and over a quarter of a century since. Jorgenson has created two strong appealing characters in Grant and Will, along with a fine supporting cast. It is a moving, often funny, at times heart rending but ultimately positive story.

There is no doubt that Nathan Jorgenson tells a great story, but whether he is a great story teller is another matter. The characters are well drawn, the dialogue is convincing, yet there is something lacking in the writing; it fails to bring alive the sense of place, it fails to envelope the reader but remains slightly distant, as though simply recording events is enough. I enjoyed the story immensely, but I was frequently reminded of shortcomings in the writing… (mais)