Nothing but Blue Skies

Frank Copenhaver is not having a good season. His wife left him (for reasons that never really become clarified), his college-age daughter has taken up with a man more than twice her age, and Frank’s many business interests are falling apart in the face of his current indifference.

McGuane uses this setup to follow his character as he wanders through a lovingly-described Montana landscape, drinking, fornicating, fishing, stealing the occasional vehicle, and making several stabs at a reconciliation with his wife. Parts of this feckless hero’s physical and mental meanderings are amusing, but overall there’s not much plot, and some readers may find it a chore to get through it all.

By page 306, when Frank considers the idea that show more “nothing really was important”, those readers are apt to say to themselves – “You’re just now figuring that out?” show less

To enjoy this book it helps to be a male and in your middle years. That being said, like most Thomas McGaune books, Nothing But Blue Skies, is the type of book you enjoy and savor, rather than plow through. The main character-Frank is coming apart at the seams. He is separated from his wife, not sure what is going on with his daughter, sleeping with every equally loose woman he can find, all the while his many business interests are all turning to shit. You can't help but root for things to turn out positive for Frank, even though things mostly don't.

I remember reading this while I was going through a divorce and it was the perfect book for that tumultuous time in my life.