Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich
Published by Putnam
Publication date: July 7, 2015
Genres: Debut, Fiction, Suspense
IndieBound, Amazon, Powells
The first words that come to mind when I think about Brian Panowich’s debut novel Bull Mountain, are: blown away. Every day for a week after finishing it whenever I thought of it, I shook my head. It’s that good. It’s the story of three generations of the Burroughs family living in north Georgia. For decades they’ve lived outside the law by running moonshine, then marijuana, and now meth throughout the South from their secluded land on Bull Mountain. Now there are only two brothers left: Halford, who runs the mountain and the drug enterprise, and Clayton, who split off from the family to become the county sheriff in the small town of Waymore Valley. It’s 2015 and a federal agent has appeared in Clayton’s office to let him know Halford’s empire is about to come crashing down unless Clayton helps.
Like any other well-written family saga, the past is needed to explain the present. Panowich does this with carefully separated chapters, filling in the family history. The novel opens all the way back in 1949 when 9-year-old Gareth watches his father kill his uncle in order to keep the family land from being sold to developers. He then has to help bury the body. I haven’t read such a shocking beginning to a novel since Sara Taylor’s The Shore. But it’s not just shock that makes Bull Mountain addictive. That’s the easy way out. Instead, Panowich deftly moves the characters and the timeline between past and present, making for a story filled with plot points and people who seem to have no relevance until you step back and are stunned to see a perfect landscape.
Perfect in its composition, but otherwise, a hellscape of violence. This novel has been called hillbilly noir and it’s a good description because Bull Mountain is dark and rough. Brutality is commonplace in the Burroughs’s world, so even though I’m not a fan of violence, in Bull Mountain there is no other choice. For me, the story was more than enough to overcome any squeamishness, as evidenced by my 5-star rating. Panowich creates a world and drops the reader smack dab in the middle of it with no way out until the final sentence.
Susie | Novel Visits says
April 29, 2019 at 6:47 amGreat review of a tough book, Catherine. I definitely loved Bull Mountain when I read it. (I checked and gave it an A rating.) I know the sequel is out there and you and Sarah both liked it, but I just don’t feel ready for the darkness right now. Maybe in the summer.
Catherine says
April 29, 2019 at 4:17 pmI checked your blog before I got it at the library! I figured if both you and Sarah liked it that much I had to give it a shot. As for the sequel- Sarah DNFed it. I’m reviewing it o nFriday, but can tell you, you don’t need that much darkness.
Lauren says
April 29, 2019 at 7:17 amI really liked this one. I had some small issues with it that kept it from 5 stars, but they aren’t even things I could explain. I thought Panowich did things that were gutsy and different and I loved that. I still intend to get to the followup, but haven’t managed yet. As far as writing goes, the dude has the chops and is a super nice guy and I like to see nice people get the props.
Catherine says
April 29, 2019 at 4:15 pmThat’s good to hear! I felt the same way- coming out that strong on a debut? I appreciate it. Normally, I wouldn’t give 5 stars to something so violent, but he went beyond it, if that makes sense. I read the sequel and will be reviewing it on Friday.
Lauren O'Brien says
April 29, 2019 at 4:28 pmI think I have a higher violence acceptance quotient than you do. I was going to ask about the new one, but I can just shut my trap and wait until Friday. 🙂 Hope it was a good one!
Catherine says
May 1, 2019 at 12:45 pmI would say you’re right, but lately I’m in a head space that has me re-visiting the Game of Thrones episode where Sansa watches Ramsey Bolton being killed. And I find it fabulous. Probably need to check in with my shrink.
Lauren O'Brien says
May 3, 2019 at 3:17 pmThis may be more alarming than comforting, but I think you’re just fine.
Catherine says
May 3, 2019 at 3:47 pmI find that alarmingly comforting.
Running 'n' Reading says
May 2, 2019 at 12:36 pmFIVE STARS!!! YES!!!!
Catherine says
May 3, 2019 at 3:49 pmI could not think of a single thing about this book that I would change so it had to be 5 stars. I wish I felt the same about Like Lions.