There’s some backstory with this one. A few years ago, this was my suggestion for bookclub. It became part of a list of suggested but unchosen books that we discussed for months before finally deciding that all of the books on the list were removed from consideration. I think I’ve occasionally brought it up since. While the desire to read it never actually left, Emily finally read it, which pushed me to return to it.

Having been so long, I somewhat forgot what drew me to this book. And, to be honest, it is impossible to summarize this book with a back-cover blurb. This is an impressive debut novel. Disclaimer: there may be some triggers in this - taboo sexual topics, talk of sexual assault, physical violence, murder, conspiracy theories.

With that, Smith Henderson crafted a truly brilliant novel set in the early 1980s, and primarily in Montana. The story focuses on social worker Pete Snow, his failed marriage, his failure as a father, and his tribulations with the families he is assigned to help. There is so much going on in this novel. There are several tangential story arcs, which usually leaves me thinking that at least one or two are unnecessary, but I don’t feel that way with this novel. I feel that everything comes together to really tell Pete’s story.

One of my favorite parts is how Henderson ends the novel. A lot of endings feel rushed. Authors tell a wonderful story only to rush things toward the end to wrap things up with a pretty bow. That’s not the case here. I won’t spoil anything, but this sort of non-ending ending is perfect. It’s not what I was expecting, but I didn’t want some chintzy neatly wrapped package.

Those who know me and my reading know how highly I regard a handful of books, including “The Goldfinch”, “Call Me By Your Name” and “The Great Believers”. I’m inclined to put “Fourth of July Creek” in that same echelon.