Ivan Doig was an American author who is best known for his books set in his native home state of Montana and the way that the books celebrated the wilderness and landscape of the area, as well as the people who lived there in the post-war. Doig’s books often focused on fur trappers, town builders, miners, and others from immigrant families, and the lives they lived out west.
Doig was awarded for his illustrious career when he received the lifetime Distinguished Achievement award fro the Western Literature Association. He also had both a fiction and non-fiction book listed in the San Francisco Chronicle’s best books of the 20th century. Ivan passed away in 2015, he was survived by his wife Carol.
Publication Order of Montana Trilogy Books
Chronological Order of Montana Trilogy Books
Publication Order of Two Medicine Country Books
Publication Order of Whistling Season Books
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
If You Like Ivan Doig Books, You’ll Love…
The Whistling Season is one of Doig’s most beloved novels. This book takes place in the fall of 1909 and features Oliver Milliron, a widower, who finds a unique personal ad for a personal housekeeper. “Can’t cook, but doesn’t bite” isn’t the most enticing ad, but it grabs the attention of Oliver to help raise his three sons. She brings along her brother who is font-of-knowledge, and this group has a crazy season in the Montana prairie.
Another great Doig book is The Bartender’s Tale. This book follows Tom Harry and his son Rusty as they run a bar called The Medicine Lodge. Rusty’s mother ran off years ago and the two run the bar together. In 1960, Rusty turns twelve and his life is turned upside when one of his dad’s exes turns up in town with her daughter Francine. The women’s mother claims that she is Tom’s daughter and Rusty’s life is thrown upside down. This a great book that really captures those last moments of childhood before the world of adult behavior comes crashing in.
