Ernest Hebert

Reviewers have noted that in Darby, Ernest Hebert has created New Hampshire's own version of Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha County. Howard Elman, the main character in The Dogs of March, and a recurring character in the series is a working man, ignorant in many ways through his near illiteracy. He becomes unemployed, and without health insurance early in the story when the factory he's worked in all his life is sold and the jobs and machinery are moved south. He finds himself in a battle against show more change and in conflict with the new people moving into the area who have "college degrees and big bank accounts." Zoe Cutter is the newcomer who's bought the property adjacent to Howard Elman's forty acres. Zoe has come from the city with plenty of money and ideas about turning the property into an idyllic New England landscape, and running a country boutique. The junk cars and abandoned machinery that are eyesores to Zoe are as much a part of the landscape to Howard as the trees and the stone walls.

Hebert was probably the first (and may remain the only) author to masterfully, elegantly and genuinely create Granite State natives, working class people, as complete characters not just as caricatures of the stereotypical New England Yankee, used to backdrop bigger stories.

When I think about why The Dogs of March has endured for nearly 30 years, why it remains in print and why I find it as true and relevant now as I did when I first read it, I believe it's because beneath the well drawn characters, the intimate sense of place, and the taut, compelling plot, flowing throughout the story and elevating it to literature is a theme about insiders and outsiders. What has often been called regional fiction isn't regional at all. This is a universal story.

A lot of the authors I love are household names. Ernest Hebert is not as widely known, but he is one of my favorites and may turn out to be one of the best writers you've never heard of -- yet. show less

Howard Elman’s Farewell is a romping good read, sometimes hilarious, often outrageous, with a fast-paced plot that has many twists and turns (not all of which are predictable). Sinister forces within Darby are planning to obliterate the traditional New England way of life enjoyed by the townsfolk. Only the town’s unpaid constable, 87-year-old Howard Elman stands in the way of this sinister evil.

At first, things go pretty good for the forces of evil: Elman is set to retire and move to show more Texas when tree rustlers cut down the last living elm tree in Darby. The crime enrages Elman ( the elm was his “naming tree”) and he puts off his retirement. He dons his Darby constable cap and begins to investigate: strand by strand he uncovers a tangled web of deceit and treachery involving his own kin, townies, flat-lander video gamers, geek graphic artists and a fake Indian from a long forgotten New Hampshire tribe who wants Darby to approve a gambling casino on the Connecticut River. Holy Cow!

But, there is only so much a volunteer constable and his 100-year-old side-kick, Cooty, can do— in the end it all boils down to a vote of the citizens of Darby at Town Meeting. Will the lure of lower-taxes sway the Darby voters? Will they sell their birthright to corrupt developers? It could go either way, readers.

The ending is way over the top, but Howard Elman’s Farewell is a worthy wrap-up for the Darby Chronicles. Read and enjoy, and while you’re at it read the other novels in the series. Start with The Dogs of March to get the backstory on the Elman family, Cooty, the Jordans (many of whom are common criminals) and the other remarkable characters that live in Darby.

You won’t find Darby, NH on any map (except in the Darby Chronicles), but it lies, so to speak, in the shadow of Mt. Monadnock, East of Keene along the Connecticut River. Darby is the home of three generations of Elmans and Jordans.

Thanks to University Press of New England for reprinting the series in paperback and eBook formats. It would be a shame to lose this bit of New England lore. Ernest Hebert’s website is:

http://erniehebert.com

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Anyone who has crotchety old relatives, or is a crotchety old person, will appreciate the humor and sadness that Howard elman shows as he reaches the end of his life. All the characters in Derby New Hampshire are colorful if somewhat exaggerated stereotypes of people found in a small New England town. But it's not just the characters that makes this book, it's Howard's observations about how life has changed, not just in Darby which he loves, but for all working men.

This is one of the best novels that I have read so far this year. Howard Elman is an 80 something year old New Englander facing his last days with determination, humor and pride. His trusty side-kick, a 100 year old, "Cooty," is the subject of medical experiments involving memory and longevity. There is a large corporation lurking in the background who is trying to buy up all the properties in this small town in order to turn it into a resort/casino/party destination for vacationers. Someone show more cuts down Howard's prize elm tree. He embarks upon the journey to find out who did this. There is a lot of old folks humor in this charming read, silly stuff, wicked stuff and stuff stuff. Just ask the town gossip, she's got it all. Do not worry about reader the previous volumes in this series. This one makes sense on its own. My thanks to the author and LibraryThing for complimentary copy. show less