Montana Women is a beautifully written novel. Ms. Volk's portrayal of the female psyche is stunning, making her characters remarkably real. I especially love Etta. Even Buck, the story's "bad guy," is so vulnerable in Ms. Volk's hands that one can't help but forgive his humanness.

I found Montana Women especially engaging for its portrayal of the ongoing acts of violence that take place in the lives of women--some so subtle that they are taken for granted--and for the characters' strength and courage to thrive nonetheless. Volk's skill at rendering characters makes them memorable, believable, and, oh, so likeable. My heart even went out to Buck and his struggle to outrun the demons constantly at his heels. He is so credible, he almost steals the show. But these female characters can hold their own.

Maybe Toni Volk only has one good novel in her, because Maybe in Missoula isn't just inferior to her first novel, it's downright bad. The characters are flat and empty and the plot is dull. Annie is a woman with no direction--she takes a big step leaving her husband and then just seems to drift along in life, making very little decisions about her own life. The only positive thing I can say, is that the reader does get a nice feel for life in Montana. Volk obviously knows and loves the area.

This novel, Maybe In Missoula, is beautiful, and its rich landscape and lovable, eccentric characters irresistible. Introspective Annie addresses many of the questions and dilemmas I, as a women, have grappled with myself, sex equality and its possible consequences, for example. Though the author speaks openly about women's issues, her treatment of the male characters shows a great compassion and understanding of the male point of view. In fact, it is Annie's ex-husband Morton who evolves the most of the three main characters. Definitely a must read.

Just finished re-reading "Maybe In Missoula". What a good read! I'm enjoying it even more the second time. I absolutely love all the characters and the way they think. Ms. Volk is so good at picking quirky little stories that each character is thinking about that tell so much more about the character than any direct information ever could. I'm just so impressed with her writing! Volk has this subtle sense of humor and wisdom that pervades everything she writes. It's as though she sees the truth about human nature in its occasional bumbling fallibility but nevertheless essential goodness, and she just has to smile about it. You will too, I'm sure! Also, when you've finished this one, check out "Montana Women". It's a winner, too.