Beneath the Bonfire – Nickolas Butler

Nov 12

Nov 12 Beneath the Bonfire – Nickolas Butler

This is my third Nickolas Butler read, and I continue to appreciate his ability to capture the undercurrents of male ennui. In “Beneath the Bonfire,” each short story explores the complexities of modern masculinity in the rural Midwest.

While the author primarily focuses on the experiences of straight white men, his narratives transcend the typical masculine tropes. With raw emotional honesty, he taps into the inner workings of the male psyche, examining the impact of toxic masculinity, friendship, fatherhood, trauma, loss, identity and nature on the common man.

As a lifelong Midwesterner, Butler offers a refreshing counterpoint of men in this region, challenging the stereotypes that have dominated recent political discourse. While bigotry and ignorance exist everywhere, these pages present a more nuanced and honest view of the people I call my friends and neighbors.

Although each story follows a character on the precipice of a life change — often triggered by unexpected circumstances — the collection's appeal lies in the wide range of experiences it offers. From a night of bar hopping gone wrong to eco-terrorism and a winter scuba dive, Butler's storytelling is consistently surprising and engaging.

The shorter stories in the collection feel more complete, while the longer ones, many containing elements that would be explored in future novels, feel a tad unfinished or rushed. Only the title story was a complete miss for me. All in all, there are far worse ways to spend your time.

The highlights:

The Chainsaw Soiree: During a yearly winter solstice celebration, a friendship is irrevocably shattered, but from the ashes of the annual bonfire, a new family emerges. Packed with profound insights about fidelity and beautiful turns of phrase; I wanted more.
Rainwater: A short but sentimental narrative about a grandfather given a second chance at parenthood with his young grandson. Simple, near perfect.
Sven & Lily: Two men, vastly different in both size and personality, form an intense friendship that gets them into trouble with their wives. Similar to “Shotgun Lovesongs,” it’s about the importance of friendship in adulthood.
Morels: Three lifelong friends spend a day indulging in the pleasures of mushroom hunting, but their carefree fun is abruptly interrupted by a sobering encounter on their way home – forever changing the dynamics of their friendship. Fans of “Godspeed” will notice the similarities in themes and ideas, although this story feels slightly unfinished.
Leftovers: One of my favorite stories in the collection, it is a haunting and poignant story about a failing marriage.
Sweet Light Crude: A cancer-stricken eco-terrorist kidnaps the CEO of an oil company responsible for the recent Gulf disaster. Over three days of escalating tension, both men reach a breaking point. This slow-burn plot had me rapt, but for being the longest story in the collection the ending felt rushed.
In Western Counties: A retired police officer, grappling with early-onset dementia, decides to take matters into her own hands to save an abused woman from her violent boyfriend. This haunting story examines the lengths one will go to when there's nothing left to lose.
Train People Move Slow: A lifelong bachelor begins a relationship with a spirited, alcoholic woman with two young daughters. When she leaves, he remains dedicated to the children and adopts them as his own. This moving story examines themes of loyalty and found family.
Apples: A man who finds his greatest fulfillment in feeling useful is forced into retirement. However, he soon realizes that his sense of purpose doesn't need to be tied to his job, especially when he has the love of his wife and family. This heartwarming story, reminiscent of a character you’d find in Mayberry, is sentimental perfection.