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)

For love of homesteading

This is an excellent book for readers who have a keen interest in the experience of homesteading in the American West. For the rare reader who loves sheep (I'm a sheep rancher), there is wonderful amount of detail about shepherding and the sheep business. The narrations is at times poetic and heartbreaking. However, the story moves quite slowly throughout the entire book and most of the turns in the plot are hinted at before they arrive. It is not a book that will grab the attention of the average reader.

Stayed with me for days after

What made the experience of listening to Dancing at the Rascal Fair the most enjoyable?

Doig's incredible writing and clever turns of phrase, his description of the landscape/climate--which became almost a central character, and the transforming relationships.

What other book might you compare Dancing at the Rascal Fair to and why?

Cannot think of one.

What does Robert Ian MacKenzie bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His male characters and the Scottish accents are vibrant. He reads at a good pace for appreciating the quality of the writing--not too fast, which I greatly appreciate. I was troubled by his interpretations of the females, especially Adair, who is a fascinating character but gets short shrift due to his inability to capture female intonation very well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I wanted to savor it, and I was sorry when it was over.

Any additional comments?

This book stayed with me for days after having finished it. I haven't had that experience in a long time. I will definitely continue with the next book in Doig's Montana Trilogy.

Wonderfully Written

What did you love best about Dancing at the Rascal Fair?

The author had a wonderful way of painting word pictures. Phrasing was delightful. It drew me into the story.

What other book might you compare Dancing at the Rascal Fair to and why?

I haven't read a book I could compare to it. I really felt like this could have been a true story. Like I was listening to a real person talk about his life.

Have you listened to any of Robert Ian MacKenzie???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Haven't listened to Mr. MacKenzie before. His delivery seems rather slow at first, but as the story progresses it becomes endearing. Good character delivery.

If you could rename Dancing at the Rascal Fair, what would you call it?

Couldn't think of a better name for it.

Any additional comments?

Really like listening to history through the eyes of an actual person. Loved it.

If you love Montana, this!

This is an incredible story and great performance. can't wait to listen to my next Doig!

New Favorite

The books starts off slow. However you will be richly rewarded with a powerful and passionate story if you stay with it. This book entices the reader with paragraph after paragraph of poetic prose. Then, the author grabs your attention with a spellbinding story that has all of the elements that make you want to begin reading and never stop. His beloved Montana comes to life such that you can hear the constant wind, feel the biting cold, taste the dust of the dry years, smell the sheep pens at shearing time, and see the vast expanses of prarie fading into the impossibly rugged mountains. This book grabbed me and wouldn't let go.

Don't judge this book by the first few hours

I started listening to this book and thought my iPod was set on "slower." With gigantic spaces between words and the narration barely creeping along, I nearly chucked it. But, I kept listening and by hour 3 was so engaged in the story, I couldn't put it down. I ended up loving the pace of the slower narration and how it contributed to the characters. It's an absolutely wonderful book. Don't give up on it. You'll be richly rewarded with a story and some vivid characters who will stay with you.

What an Enchanting Story!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book written in the voice of a young Scottish immigrant who grows throughout this book in the realities of manhood in a rugged land. A coworker who was born and raised as the son of a Montana sheep herding family originally from Scotland said this book portrayed the true reality of that life style. This writer is among his favorites. The poetic prose of the writer coupled with his touching story makes this book one of my favorites also.

Gorgeous, Rich and Vast

Gorgeous in its visuals, rich in its characters, and vast in its depiction of Montana's history. Doig's writing is so unique and wise, I was swept up and never let down, didn't want to be put down, until the sumptuous end. I'll be listening to this again, guaranteed.

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