I love discovering new authors--or in this case, old, dead authors--whose works are vivid, powerful, and not-widely-known. As for Power of the Dog, you may have seen the movie with Benedict Cumberbatch (always worth watching!) and been either mystified or blown away by its ending. Whether you have or haven't seen the movie, it's well worth reading the book. The novel fleshes out some of the more mysterious elements of the plot and characters--especially what motivates two of the central characters, Phil and Peter. The abusive Phil of the novel is more sympathetic, and the Peter of the novel more chillingly remote.
The movie (directed by Jane Campion, best known for The Piano) is beautiful and deeply affecting, and treats us to a wholly unanticipated ending. In the novel, the ending is shocking but also deeply poignant. We question the neatness of good and bad, and experience the tragedy of simply being human.
Read the book.
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