“The Big Sky” by A. B. Guthrie Jr. follows Boone Caudill, a young man who leaves his Kentucky home in the 1830s for the untamed West. Set against Montana’s sprawling landscapes, the story captures the rugged life of fur trappers and hunters.
Boone crosses paths with complex characters like Jim Deakins and Dick Summers as they navigate survival, freedom, and tense relationships with Native American tribes.
The novel paints a vivid picture of the wilderness and explores the fierce independence of those who lived in it.
Larry Watson’s “Montana 1948” tells the story of a young boy named David Hayden who uncovers dark secrets about his family in a small Montana town.
Set in the late 1940s, the novel explores themes of justice and loyalty as David’s father, the town sheriff, faces a moral dilemma after learning disturbing truths about his brother.
The story captures the tension of family bonds and the weight of doing what is right in a tight-knit community.
“Fools Crow” by James Welch tells the story of White Man’s Dog, a young Blackfoot man in 19th-century Montana, as he comes of age while his people face the threat of white settlers and disease.
The novel explores his personal growth, the traditions of the Blackfoot tribe, and the devastating changes brought to their way of life. Rich in cultural detail, the book offers a look into the challenges and resilience of his community.
“Winter in the Blood” by James Welch tells the story of a nameless narrator living on a reservation in Montana. He struggles with loss, identity, and a sense of disconnection from his family and heritage.
The book opens with him returning home to find his girlfriend has left, taking some of his belongings with her. Through his journey, the stark beauty of the Montana landscape contrasts with the narrator’s internal turmoil.
The narrative captures moments of pain and insight, shaped by his relationships and memories of his past.
“Hattie Big Sky” by Kirby Larson follows a sixteen-year-old girl named Hattie Brooks, who moves to Montana in 1917 to prove up on her late uncle’s homestead claim.
Hattie faces harsh winters, hard work, and the challenge of making a life for herself while dealing with the pressures of World War I. The story highlights her determination and the friendships she builds in the rugged Montana landscape.
The novel “The Power of the Dog” by Thomas Savage takes place on a ranch in 1920s Montana, where two brothers, Phil and George Burbank, lead very different lives. Phil is cold and sharp-tongued, while George is quieter and more thoughtful.
When George marries Rose, a widow, the family’s dynamics take a dark turn as Phil fixates on tormenting her and her son Peter.
The story paints a vivid picture of the harsh landscape and the complexities of family ties, with tension building between characters as subtle secrets unfold.
The novel “The Surrounded” by D’Arcy McNickle tells the story of Archilde Leon, a young man who returns to his Salish Indian reservation in Montana after living in the outside world.
He struggles with the pull between his cultural heritage and the pressures of the dominant white society.
The book paints a vivid picture of life on the reservation, with moments like a hunting trip with his father that carries both tension and connection, and the complexities of family relationships that define Archilde’s journey.
“A Yellow Raft in Blue Water” by Michael Dorris tells the interconnected stories of three generations of Native American women: Rayona, her mother Christine, and her grandmother Ida.
Each woman’s perspective reveals complex family relationships, struggles with identity, and secrets that shape their lives.
The novel begins with Rayona, a mixed-race teenager, who feels out of place in a tangled family dynamic, and her journey sets the stage for uncovering the layers of her family’s past.
The Montana setting adds depth, from the reservation to the landscapes that surround their lives.
“Backtrack” by Milton Lott is a Western centered on a seasoned cattleman named Brownie, who takes on the grueling challenge of leading a massive cattle drive across Montana.
Along the way, he faces harsh landscapes, relentless weather, and clashes with other men testing his leadership. The story captures the tension between personal ambition and the loyalty to those traveling with him.
“Let Him Go” by Larry Watson is about a grandmother and grandfather who set off to retrieve their young grandson from a dangerous situation.
Set in 1950s Montana and the Dakotas, the story follows Margaret and George Blackledge as they track down their late son’s widow and her new family. Tension builds when they face the violent and controlling Weboy clan.
The book paints a vivid picture of rural life and explores family bonds, loss, and grit.
The novel “The Miseducation of Cameron Post” by Emily M. Danforth follows Cameron, a teenager growing up in a small Montana town. After her parents die in an accident, Cameron is sent to live with her conservative grandmother and aunt.
When her secret relationship with a girl is discovered, she is sent to a conversion therapy camp. The story explores her struggles with identity and the ways she begins to push back against the expectations placed on her.
The novel “A Bloom of Bones” by Allen Morris Jones focuses on Eli Singer, a rancher and poet living in the Montana plains. His quiet life takes a turn when a long-buried secret surfaces after a skeleton is found on his land.
The story weaves his connection with a reporter, Gwen, as the discovery forces both to confront their shared past. It’s a story about the weight of choices and the ties between people and the places that define them.
Nicholas Evans wrote “The Horse Whisperer,” a story about a young girl named Grace and her horse, Pilgrim, who are both deeply affected by a tragic accident.
Grace’s mother, desperate to help her daughter heal, takes them to Montana to seek the help of Tom Booker, a man believed to have a unique way with horses.
As Tom works with Pilgrim, the lives of everyone involved begin to change in unexpected ways, revealing struggles, love, and resilience.
“The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet” by Reif Larsen follows a 12-year-old cartography prodigy named T.S. Spivet. After receiving an unexpected award from the Smithsonian Institution, he sets off on a cross-country journey from his family’s ranch in Montana to Washington, D.C.
T.S.'s story is filled with quirky illustrations and maps as he narrates his adventures, his family, and his love of science. Along the way, his observations reveal humor, sadness, and an insight into the world seen through his unique perspective.
“Truth and Bright Water” by Thomas King tells the story of two cousins, Tecumseh and Lum, who live in neighboring towns along the U.S.-Canada border. The book begins with the boys witnessing a mysterious woman throwing a bundle into the river.
As they investigate, they uncover family secrets, personal struggles, and hints of dark history tied to their community. The story weaves through moments of humor, heartbreak, and a search for identity in a landscape filled with beauty and melancholy.
“Wildlife” by Richard Ford is set in 1960s Montana and centers on a teenage boy named Joe Brinson. When Joe’s father loses his job and decides to fight wildfires threatening the nearby forests, his mother drifts toward another man.
The story captures the tension in their family as Joe tries to make sense of the fragile and shifting dynamics between his parents.
Rex Stout wrote “Death of a Dude,” a mystery featuring his famous detective Nero Wolfe. This time, Wolfe is far from his usual New York City setting, visiting the rugged landscape of Montana at the insistence of his assistant, Archie Goodwin.
While there, Wolfe becomes entangled in a murder case involving a local man accused of killing a shady outsider. The book mixes elements of Western life with Wolfe’s sharp wit and methodical crime-solving style, creating a unique twist on the classic Nero Wolfe formula.
“Mission to America” by Walter Kirn follows the journey of two missionaries, Mason and Elias, who leave their secluded religious community in Montana to recruit new members. Their mission leads them into the modern world, where they face culture shock and temptation.
The novel paints an unusual and quirky picture of their travels, touching on the clash between their sheltered upbringing and the world outside.
“Those Who Wish Me Dead” by Michael Koryta is a tense story about a teenage boy named Jace who ends up hiding from two ruthless killers in the Montana wilderness. Jace is placed in a survival program to keep him safe, but the killers are relentless in tracking him.
The book captures the raw dangers of the wilderness and the suspense of a deadly pursuit.