This is a beautifully written little book which doesn't take long to read. It is Harding's first novel and won the Pulitzer Prize. He studied writing under Marilynne Robinson who is the author of "Gilead," and their writing styles are not dissimilar.
The story is about a man, George Washington Cosby who lies on his deathbed, and we are privy to his thoughts on the eight days he lies dying. There is no real plot to the story, but it is rich in characterizations as he muses on the people who have touched his life. Cosby was born in Maine to a poor backwoods family. His father was the tinker of the title, an epileptic who travels on a shabby cart from farm to farm peddling a variety of wares. This character is based on Harding's grandfather. If you are familiar with the hardy old families of Maine, stoic and thrifty, you will recognize the characters you meet here. Among the finely drawn characters in the book is an ageless Native American named "Sabbatis" who is described in beautiful detail who is understood and connected in an understated way with Howard, the father.
George comes of age in the novel and grows beyond his humble beginnings, he marries and has a family who are loving and attentive to him in his last days. In life he was a clock repairer finding solace and comfort in the fine tuning of time. We have been told Mainers are economical in their speech and George's final meeting with Howard takes place on Christmas 1953. True to form, not much is said between the men, but much is felt. Howard's final words could also belong to George as he departs life, and they provide a good ending to the novel.
I highly recommend this book for its beautiful prose and style. While it is about the process of fading from life, it is not morbid or particularly sad. Rather it is a stream of consciousness tracing various points in an ordinary man's life.
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