Stories of growing up on a family farm in the 1950's and 1960's with eccentric, remarkable and hilarious neighbours.
Available as of June 28th, 2013 ... Let's Forefoot da Sonovabitch: True Stories from Southern Saskatchewan by Brian Nagel.
In Crane Valley, Saskatchewan, when you consume several beers and snare a four-year-old wild horse, you’ve just “forefooted da-sonovabitch.” Catching wild horses, adventures with eccentric neighbours, my great-grandmother's homebrew, pioneer diaries--life on the Nagel farm in the 1950s & 60s was never dull.
Readers will see that Saskatchewan was not only about sweeping skies, huge horizons and heartbreak on stricken farms, it was also a wonderful place for children to grow up.
Excerpt
Against all odds, both Leonard and Alex had caught the same right hind leg of the horse. For those of you who do not know much about catching horses—wild horses—the right hind leg is probably the last place you want to catch them. Horses are strong, especially in their back legs. But as Leonard would say, “da sonovabitch was fore-footed,” and so the battle between Vikings and horse began.
Professional Reviews
Ken Mitchell
“Let’s Forefoot da Sonovabitch—a great title for any book, but Brian Nagel’s masterful collage of prairie stories walks off with all the honours. It’s a cross between W.O. Mitchell’s Who Has Seen the Wind and Brent Butt’s Corner Gas. Here is uproarious humour transfused with the pains of youthful discovery. It is funnier than Holden Caulfield, rich with the foibles and furies of prairie life on the Canadian plains.”
– Ken Mitchell, Poet, Novelist, Playwright, Order of Canada and Saskatchewan Order of Merit
Neil McKinnon
“Snaring wild horses while drunk ... playing Parallel Universe with his sister ... running away from home ... learning to chew snuff ... and the ritual of the Saturday night bath, Brian Nagel captures the grit, passion and humour of rural Saskatchewan as he draws us into the joys of family and a past that won't let go. A born storyteller, he opens our eyes to another time when a tough life was managed with wit and wisdom.”
– Neil McKinnon, author of Tuckahoe Slidebottle, Finalist for Stephen Leacock Humour Award
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Reviews for "Lets Forefoot da Sonovabitch; True Stories From Southern Saskatchewan"
Reviewed by Brian Nagel
12/14/2019
Reviewed by Laura H.
12/13/2019
A time gone by. A place where children were children.
These short stories are heartfelt glimpses into an amazing childhood in an amazing place. To say this publication portrays a time of innocence --would be an understatement.
The author's ability to weave an intriguing story from a simple concept or event--is masterful.
Also the author's gift of writing in such a manner so readers feel as though they are part of the story was phenomenal.
I'm guessing there are more stories of the author's growing up in South Saskatchewan that will hopefully make it to publication some day soon.
The experience of a young adult trying to figure out what they want to do for employment or education can be overwhelming. My book will give them insight to what it means to be a carpenter. And the progress unions have made in discrimination.
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