Annie Proulx

Thomas Savage

Now a major Netflix film by Jane Camption, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst: Thomas Savage's acclaimed Western is "a pitch-perfect evocation of time and place" (Boston Globe) for fans of East of Eden and Brokeback Mountain. Set in 1920s Montana, this compelling domestic drama tells the story of two brothers — and of the woman and young boy, mother and son, whose arrival on the brothers' ranch shatters an already tenuous peace. From the novel's startling first paragraph to its very last word, Thomas Savage's voice — and the intense passion and cruelty of his characters — holds readers in thrall. This new edition, with an afterword by Annie Proulx, marks the return of one of the most powerful and distinctive voices in the literature of the American West.

A Novel

The Power of the Dog

Phil and George are brothers and joint owners of the biggest ranch in their Montana valley. Phil is the bright one, George the plodder. Phil is tall and angular, George is stocky and silent. Phil is a brilliant chess player, a voracious reader, an eloquent storyteller, George learns slowly, and devotes himself to the business. They sleep in the same room they shared as boys, and so it has been for forty years. 

When George unexpectedly marries a young widow and brings her to live at the ranch, Phil begins a relentless campaign to destroy his brother's new wife. But he fails to reckon with an unlikely protector. 

First published in 1967, Thomas Savage's western novel about two brothers and the competition between them when one marries now includes an afterword by Annie Proulx.

Claire Jorgensen

I watched the film before I read this book, and it helped me visualise some of the scenes. Admittedly, some aspects of the book, such as the chemistry between characters, does come across better in the film. Not to say that this book doesn't deliver - it does. It's tense and, what I can describe only as, silent. Usually, the reader can visualise the background noise in a scene (birds chirping, the wind) - I could not. Every scene was devoid of background sound.   Despite his attitude and beliefs, I name Phil as my favourite. He was prejudiced, a mean man, yet there was something charismatic about him. He knew who he was, and he didn't pretend - one has to admire that. He did not deserve what happened to him.   The rest of the characters? I didn't care about them. None of them held my attention when in standalone scenes. I can acknowledge the cleverness behind Peter's scheme, but I wouldn't say I like it. I have an issue with the nature of the scheme and using deeply personal matters against a person. There is a line that was crossed, in my opinion.   Overall, I'm giving it a 4/5 because, while I enjoyed the book immensely and have found a character I will never forget, it took me a while to read, and I found myself uninterested at times. 

B.H. Pitt

A stunning, gripping, tense portrait of Western landscapes with brilliantly realized characters & the kind of language that will stick with me, maybe forever.

Bowie 

Obviously this book is important in terms of queer literature, but everyone ignores the big, autistic elephant in the room. For me, the portrayal of a clearly neurodivergent character and his thought processes was my biggest takeaway. In fact, I spent more time comparing and contrasting Peter and Phil in terms of neurodivergence as opposed to queerness. Anyway I would die for Peter. 

'Billed as the next Stoner, this 1967 reissue is in fact the better novel...a rich and challenging psychodrama, based on brilliant characterisation... With its echoes of East of Eden and Brokeback Mountain, this satisfyingly complex story deserves another shot at rounding up public admiration' Guardian Phil and George are brothers, more than partners, joint owners of the biggest ranch in their Montana valley. Phil is the bright one, George the plodder. Phil is tall and angular; George is stocky and silent. Phil is a brilliant chess player, a voracious reader, an eloquent storyteller; George learns slowly, and devotes himself to the business. Phil is a vicious sadist, with a seething contempt for weakness to match his thirst for dominance; George has a gentle, loving soul. They sleep in the room they shared as boys, and so it has been for forty years. When George unexpectedly marries a young widow and brings her to live at the ranch, Phil begins a relentless campaign to destroy his brother's new wife. But he reckons without an unlikely protector. From its visceral first paragraph to its devastating twist of an ending, The Power of the Dog will hold you in its grip. WITH AN AFTERWORD BY ANNIE PROULX

Gary Homewood

A gripping, taught psychological drama set during the last days of rural ranching in America. Complex and nuanced characters, subtle and vivid descriptions of landscape and place.

Francine Corry

Miguel

High Fidelity

Alithea

Richie B

Sandy

Lucy Newlinds

Michele Berman

Mat Connor

Arjo Gupto

Kate Hall

Rikke Lohse

Montana, 1924. Phil y George son hermanos y socios, copropietarios del rancho más grande del valle. Cabalgan juntos, transportando miles de cabezas de ganado, y siguen durmiendo en la habitación que habían tenido de niños, en las mismas camas de bronce. Phil es alto y anguloso, George rechoncho e imperturbable. Phil es una lumbrera y podía haber sido cualquier cosa que se propusiera, George es tranquilo y no tiene aficiones. A Phil le gusta provocar, George carece de sentido del humor, pero tiene ganas de amar y de ser amado. Cuando George se casa con Rose, una joven viuda de porte orgulloso y sonrisa rápida, y la trae a vivir a la hacienda, Phil comienza una campaña implacable para destruirla. Pero los más débiles no siempre son quienes uno cree.

El poder del perro

Miguel Angel Palmer Salva

Neil Rostance

Now a major Netflix film by Jane Camption, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst: Thomas Savage's acclaimed Western is "a pitch-perfect evocation of time and place" (Boston Globe) for fans of East of Eden and Brokeback Mountain. Set in the wide-open spaces of the American West, The Power of the Dog is a stunning story of domestic tyranny, brutal masculinity, and thrilling defiance from one of the most powerful and distinctive voices in American literature. The novel tells the story of two brothers -- one magnetic but cruel, the other gentle and quiet -- and of the woman and young boy, mother and son, whose arrival on the brothers' ranch shatters an already tenuous peace. From the novel's startling first paragraph to its very last word, Thomas Savage's voice -- and the intense passion of his characters -- holds readers in thrall. "Gripping and powerful...A work of literary art." --Annie Proulx, from her afterword

The Power of the Dog A Novel

Reviews

Highlights