Spatially and temporally, Doig delights in the events of life his chal lenge is to verbalize that delight the risk is that he appear little more than a skilled chronicler of a place and people. What generates all of Doig’s work, how ever, is the imaginative and verbal effort to respond to the energies of life’s surfaces. And at moments-for example, those detailing the growth of Gros Ventre or the sheep-shearing contest-Rascal Fair runs that risk. A novel which extends, as this one does, over several decades, two conti nents, and a variety of life experiences can appear to be self-indulgent if the reader does not have a reason to be interested in the characters or events, certain scenes may seem to argue for tighter editing. In fact, one of the dangers that Doig continually faces is the appearance of being little more than verbally facile, a sort of James Michener of the American North west. But Ivan Doig’s skills-and importance to western American writing- extend beyond the ability to recreate verbally memorable moments. As narrator, Angus writes out of memory of his friend and presents numerous scenes-storm on the Atlantic, a sheep shearing contest, his consummated love with Anna Ramsay, a life-threatening blizzard-which will satisfy those readers who have come to expect from Doig the interrelating of language and event. Dancing At The Rascal Fair, a narrative of events which pre cede those described in the 1984 English Creek, follows the lives of Angus McCaskill and Rob Barclay, two friends who emigrate from Nethermuir, Scotland to Gros Ventre, Montana. Language responsive to the demands and joys ofenvironment presents the initial pleasure but an even greater satisfaction is the discovery that once again Ivan Doig is taking chances. 406 pages, $18.95.) Ivan Doig’s new book will delight and challenge any reader. JAMES WARD LEE The University of North Texas Dancing At The Rascal Fair. The author is especially good at capturing the flavor of Dallas in the eighties. Terry does a good job with his main character, Bill “Bubba” Ringer, and creates some lively caricatures of the rest of the cast. Ringer, Marshall Terry’sfirst novel since Tom Northway (1968), isfunny and entertaining. It takes all the effort of the Ringer clan and their cousins to spring Joe from the trap he has laid for himself. He finally finds a backer: a West Texas lunatic who will almost certainly kill Joe if the concert fails. Reviews 169 pective backers that Willie and Waylon and Roy Acuff and Eddie Raccoon and everybody will show up for the Big Event. In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Dancing at the rascal fair