In The Last Ferryman, Buck Shyrock finds himself wedged between the only life he’s ever known, and unstoppable progress—a bridge across his beloved river.
In 1939—and for several decades preceding that year—the only way to cross the river at Millerville, Illinois, was by ferry. It seemed there always was a ferry in Millerville. Buck Shyrock, the local ferryman, knew that better than most. Being a ferryman was in Buck’s blood—his grandfather and father both had ferried folks across the Wabash, from the Illinois side to the Indiana side and back again. To Buck’s way of thinking, Millerville was a “ferry town … and it’ll keep on bein’ a ferry town.” Even though in recent years there was talk of building a bridge across the river, that’s all it was—just talk. Buck was sure of it.
Buck’s certainty is shaken, however, by the appearance of Floyd Bailey, a roll of blueprints tucked firmly under his arm, and by the growing awareness that Bailey is to act as project engineer on the erection of a suspension bridge—a bridge that will mean the end of Buck’s way of life.
In The Last Ferryman, author Gregory Randle has created a compelling saga that masterfully intertwines the transition from ferry to bridge with the changes that take place within the community and within Buck’s family. Buck’s son, August, is perplexed by Buck’s steely determination to hold on to what August considers a “bygone era,” even as the bridge-building begins. But August’s wife, Belle, compassionate and gently supportive, tries to help the old man accept the unstoppable progress and his place in it.
Randle has a keen eye for detail, drawing evocative images of both the situation and the people involved, as well as offering spot-on character dialogue. The Last Ferryman isn’t simply the story of progress supplanting obsolescence. The mood, the community, and the time all come alive in this rich and beautifully presented tale.
About the Author
Gregory Randle grew up on the Wabash River in southeastern Illinois. He was raised to have a wary respect for the river, hearing stories of its bounty as well as its hidden dangers. Later, when he was old enough to patch holes in an old wooden boat and operate a small motor loaned to him by his grandfather, Randle spent hours on the river reveling in its wildness and beauty. He now lives near St. Cloud, Minnesota with his wife and two sons. This is his first novel.My Review:
This was a very interesting book about how new technology and inventions leave people behind. I love my electronics, and I do not know how I would live without them. However with something new, the old is forgotten. In this book it is the men that work on the ferries that are forgotten once a bridge is built. I actually begins once the mention of building a bridge begins that the ferrymen start to dwindle. I loved that this book was about working for and in America. The author did a great job of linking past generations to the ones of today. Even when I go in grocery stores and see self-checkout lanes, I think of this man, Buck. He was doing everything his past generations did, and he did not want to change his ways. He was not ready. The family dynamics were interesting as well. Buck's son wanted to move forward and Buck's wife was in the middle trying to prepare Buck for the inevitable. The ending was something different for each of the characters. and for me it was bitter sweet. I really got to know this family and their community. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.
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