In a Dark Time by Larry Watson

by Larry Watson

A powerful voice in contemporary American fiction, Larry Watson is the award-winning author of Montana 1948, hailed as "a work of art" (San Francisco Chronicle), and White Crosses, praised as "one of the most irresistible novels of the year" (The Globe and Mail). In this, his debut novel, Watson explores the themes that established him as a master protrayer of small-town America. Another female student has been found strangled—the body count is up to three, and everyone suspects there will be more. But for Peter, a reticent teacher at Minnesota's Wanekia High School, his own morbid fascination with the murders haunts him more than the morning headlines. Keeping a detailed journal of his community's action—and his own—Peter discovers a disturbing ambivalence toward violence in the midst of uncommonly savage acts. A taut suspense novel that is at once compelling and thought-provoking, In a Dark Time ingeniously explores our culture's complex relationship with violence—and paints a vivid portrait of America too often color-blind to the bloody hues that tinge its landscape.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Larry Watson was born in 1947 in Rugby, North Dakota. He grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota, and was educated in its public schools. Larry married his high school sweetheart, Susan Gibbons, in 1967. He received his BA and MA from the University of North Dakota, his Ph.D. from the creative writing program at the University of Utah, and an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Ripon College. Watson has received grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts (1987, 2004) and the Wisconsin Arts Board.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Larry Watson’s debut novel. Don’t judge him by this book, this was testing the waters. Then he cranks out some strong 5 star reads.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish. It was just an overall boring read. It was supposed to be about murder instead it's about a jerk who seems more concerned with getting laid and being as boring as possible. I made it about halfway through before giving up. This story would have been made much better if the killer would have strangled the main character instead of teenage girls who would have eventually been punished enough by having to sit through this guy's class.

[Amber Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story line but the mystery was a disappointment

[Jo Weyrauc · Rating 1 out of 5]

My very least liked book by this author.

[Joe Stack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in the first person, this is an engrossing story that examines the effects of violence and its seductiveness. The writing is engaging and graceful. The conduct of the characters shows that Mr. Watson is an astute observer of human behavior. He brings the characters vividly to life. I enjoyed the story because of how he immersed me in the inner being of the main character. The story also has an underlying theme about life in a small midwestern town.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vaguely interesting but there is nothing to grab me.
I got half way through and asked myself, Do I want To Continue?
I don’t.
I will give away this book for someone else to get bored.

[Laura Planton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter is a teacher at Wanekia High school. Three girls over a period of weeks are murdered in the school. Peter keeps a journal of how he feels during this time. The fear, the suspicions, the relationships that grow stonger during this time including a romance with a woman (Alexandra) he thought he had no chance with prior to the murders. A very interesting look. Rather that focusing on the murders this novel focuses on the people affected and dealing with life after the murders and before the killer is caught. Everyone in the small town is affected none more so than Peter.

[Swan Bender · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I would have given Watson a second chance if this had been the first book I read by him. However I have read other works penned by this author and I have a such a high respect for his writing and characterization that I will overlook the traits of the main character he explored in his debut novel. Peter is not a likeable person on a level of high integrity so to have to read his personal analysis of things is a bit disturbing.

[Pmcdnld2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 girls are murdered in a high school in a small mid-western town. The book is a description of what the murders do to the town as told by a young English teacher's journal of the days following the killings. The teacher also analyzes himself as he writes about the town. Different kind of mystery.

[Angie Sechler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. Living in a altered world after violence has occurred made for a compelling read. Found myself being more sensitive to current world events and the violence associated with most of them. Some of us coping with it better than others, I think.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an engaging novel. It really held my interest and the writing was excellent, which is not a surprise considering the author. The end came rather quick and I wanted a bit more at the end and what happened after, but it was still an excellent book.

[Doug Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another female high school student has been strangled. That's three.