Dancing at the Rascal Fair

By: Ivan Doig

Narrated by: Robert Ian MacKenzie

Length: 19 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Dancing at the Rascal Fair by National Book Award nominee Ivan Doig, captures the passion and tenacity of turn-of-the-century immigrants struggling to build new lives amidst Montana’s windswept Rockies. The tale unfolds into a contest of the heart between Anna Ramsay and Angus McCaskill—kept apart by obligations—as they and their stormy kin vie to tame the brutal land.

©1987 Ivan Doig (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Magnificent… Dancing at the Rascal Fair establishes its author in the front ranks of contemporary American writers.” ( Seattle Times)

"The settlement of Montana between 1890 and 1919 is recounted through the quiet but compelling life of Angus McCaskill, a young Scotsman who travels with his friend Rob Barclay to Montana's Two Medicine Country to homestead. Doig writes fervently of the voyage from Scotland and the lean first years, as the two share the work and hardship of establishing claims and building up flocks of sheep. He tells of their separate marriages, the severing of their friendship, and the final resolution of their conflict through death. Doig successfully recaptures the violence of the Montana elements and the staunch heritage of the Scottish settlers." ( Library Journal)

Slow start - but a sweet story

Beautifully written - poetic, poignant and powerful. I almost gave up after the first few chapters but I'm glad I stuck it out. This book delivers amazing visuals and leaves the reader thinking about one's own relationships through life's journeys.

Powerful... so powerful

There are no words in the English language that would do justice to how deeply this story affected me. Ivan Doig is a master of story tellers . The Characters he creates stay with you forever. My brother actually operates a cattle ranch in the North Fork country today. One of the most beautiful but unforgiving places on earth. I have spent time there ....so this story all the more meaningful for me. As good as this story is, the narrator with his amazing Scottish brogue, makes it twice as valuable. If I could, I would give this work fifteen stars

A life's journey.

And, without a doubt, a remarkable trip. Going back to that seemingly long ago time has led to that ironic conclusion that very little of real importance changes, only the pages of the calender are turned over, the meaningful things of human existence change not at all.

Interesting history, evocative situations, unsympathetic characters

I felt the author effectively presented the situations and risks and limitations of life in Montana at the end of the 19th C and beginning of the 20th, but I found that I did not like nor respect any of the characters, their choices nor the circumstances which they accepted.

very slow going...

It is a good book. There is just very little dynamics in it. No tempo at all. Not his best, i find. The Bartender's tale was much better.

Setting, time, and characterization

Writer is a poet filling this Montana story with amazing metaphors and simile. Narrator is talented bringing characters even more to life. History is interjected through the years up through WWI and the Spanish Flu.
Love story and primary friendship seem both unlikely and quite familiar. Bitter-sweet relationships and happenings in minute detail created a page-turner but I am grateful I heard this book in mostly Scottish accents.

I love Ivan Doug and although this one started slowly, it did not disappoint. As always, the character development, relationship

I love Ivan Doug and although this one started slowly, it did not disappoint. As always, the character development, relationships and description of homesteading life in Montana was clever, humorous, historic and absolutely entertaining.

A treat

I enjoyed this lyrical introspective encapsulating the story's main characters in their struggles and triumphs to survive Montana and each other. Great narration!

Ivan Doig is a masterful story teller

I can only tell you that I wanted this story to never end! This was one the most masterfully written and wonderfully narrated books I have ever listened to! Many others by Ivan Doig are wonderful. Also, please listen to his
“Last Bus to Wisdom” & “The Bartender’s Tale” Another wonderful listen that you will never forget “ Blind Your Ponies” by Stanley Gordon West read by Traber Burns- I think about it every day

Couldn't understand it

I stopped listening to the audio version of this book because although I enjoyed Mr. MacKenzie's accent and reading, I felt I was missing some of the beauty of the writing because I couldn't always understand. I was driving while trying to listen, so my concentration was elsewhere.

Here is my review after reading it in hard copy.
An historical fiction which takes place for the most part in Gros Ventre, Montana, this saga follows the fortunes of two young men fresh to America from Scotland in the 1800's. It details the joys and hardships of pioneering in that state with poignancy and heartfelt joy. Angus and Rob have their share of both, although the story is told only from Angus' view.

I enjoyed reading this, although it took me a long time to do so. The words and word pictures are a luxury for a reader. It invites you to stop and ponder, consider and think about the situations and the people. Doig never makes any of his characters too perfect for their own good. He presents them as real people, who grow, stumble and persevere. Sometimes this is painful, you want to shake them by the shoulders; but it is honest and in the end you love them in spite of themselves. Speaking as a person who had pioneering relatives in this era, and knew them as a young girl, it is easy to imagine that this book represents them well.