Deadwood: Stories of the Black Hills | David Milch

Deadwood: Stories of the Black Hills | David Milch | Nice

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Deadwood: Stories ...

	Deadwood: Stories of the Black Hills David Milch Bloomsbury USA, 2006 - 232 pages average customer review:based on 22 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Great Fan Book and a Lot More

As a faithful observer of the characters in Deadwood, I picked up a copy of this book as soon as it was released and read it from cover to cover in one, long, sitting.

I think "Deadwood" renders great insights into the characters through interviews the actors who portray them and their interpretations of Milch's vision.

And while I'm on Milch's vision, I found his narrative fascinating, not only for his explanation of that vision, but also his take on life. This lends a very personal element to the book that is uncommon and very welcome.

Finally, I particularly enjoyed the actual stories of the real Deadwood about which I knew very little. I certainly knew that Wild Bill Hickock was real and met his demise in Deadwood, but I was unaware of how many of the characters actually lived and breathed there in real life.

So I thought the book satisfied my at several levels: details about the show and its characters; the creative force behind the show; and the history lessons as well. This is a must read for fans of "Deadwood".

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Nice

Was anyone ever described to you as "nice"? Scary isn't it. I am an ardent fan of Deadwood and a fan of David Milch. This book is a `nice' coffee-table addition that succeeds as a way of fondly recollecting the characters and singular moments of Deadwood. I was hoping for an extension and an amplification of Deadwood - more great Black Hill's tales from Milch's magic pen. In that respect, the book is disappointing.

It does add some insight to the Deadwood stories, that is, the Deadwood teleplay and the process of making it. Milch eloquently adds some detail and color to the Deadwood story. Since the "Deadwood story" is his interpreted and interpolated history, the story is only really complete in Milch's imagination. Those of us who would love more will buy this book and savor the bits we can get. It is not enough though, but then, it could never be enough.

The Deadwood actors also add detail and perspective in their own words. Milch's ability to blend the real actor's traits and skills with his visions of Deadwood is constantly recounted. The actors all seem to share their respect for Milch's stunning ability to shape the character to the actor and the actor from the character. Their introspections are interesting, but here again, too little and perhaps too hastily put together.

In the end, I recommend the book as a memento of Deadwood, three seasons of good television. However, if you are searching for more Deadwood stories, this is not the place. I suspect the huckster in Milch couldn't resist one more retail opportunity; I certainly do not begrudge him a dime for all the great entertainment he has afforded me. Still, I'd love to see "Deadwood, the novel by David Milch", alas, I can only hope.

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reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, page 5

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