John Gregory Brown

John Gregory Brown's Audubon's Watch (2001) is a highly-imagined and elegant work of fiction, providing an imagined backstory to one of the most bizarre and famous episodes in John James Audubon's life (the New Orleans portrait) through Audubon's own vague, addled reminiscences and from the perspective of Emile Gautreaux, a New Orleans anatomist with secrets of his own.

Audubon's portions of the story are told in the form of musings to his daughters, both of whom died in infancy. Rather a show more strange narrative choice, but Brown manages to carry it off without the whole thing coming across as too macabre. Tying together strong elements of remorse and yearning, confusion and memory, time and guilt, Audubon's Watch is a recommended read for those interested in Audubon, or as a good summer afternoon's tale for just about anyone.

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I finished reading this book this morning and I am still feeling the effects of it this evening. From the very first sentence to the last the words it continued to flow as if to music. The imagery was touchable. The emotions deep. It is a book I won't forget. A book that will stay on top of my favorite book list. Describing the story would not do it justice. It's more than a story. I connected so close with the main character, as a child and as a man. Just when I thought I knew the other show more characters, I found out something new about them drawing me in deeper. It is one of the most touching stories I have ever read. If I could I would give it a million stars. show less

I stumbled upon this book after reading a review of The Moviegoer by Walker Percy. Really a heartfelt story. Short but slow going to soak up the great prose.

A fascinating story of family told in a most unique way.