Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range by Aaron Brown (2008: Red Step Press. ISBN 978-098007890-9)
For a young person, Aaron Brown possesses extraordinary powers of reflection and observation. He also happens to be one hell of a writer. This collection of new essays and recycled newspaper and radio pieces (from Brown’s work as a journalist, editor, and commentator) merits, overall, a big thumbs up. At times, the writing demands two thumbs up but, as in many collections (my own included) Brown doesn’t sustain excellence throughout all of his material. Mostly, he hits that mark. Once in a while, he doesn’t. In some ways, the fact that every story isn’t remarkable reminds me of the vinyl albums I collected in my youth: Not every cut was a favorite. But “filler” songs, like “filler” stories aren’t all bad; they allow the listener/reader to grasp genius when it appears.
Take some of Brown’s insights. His description of the competition between Range towns, despite their overall closeness in geographical terms, is one of many gems in this book.
At the same time, the strange strung-out geography of the Range creates pockets of isolation, so much so that someone in Town A takes offense at being compared to the rabble in Town B, even when everyone involved is wearing a Polaris snowmobile jacket and steel-toed work boots.
Only a native son of the Range could write such a truth and not end up, well, being kicked in the arse by a guy wearing steel-toed boots. Here’s another:
As Gilbert’s centennial approached…townsfolk wanted to stage…”Whorehouse Days”…City leaders balked…To date, you can still see defiant “I am a Whorehouse Days Supporter” bumper stickers on Iron Range vehicles.
Many of Brown’s observations concern the intersection of tradition and outside influence, as this excerpt discussing a now-closed Jamaican eatery situated on the main street of Gilbert, reveals.
When they filmed North Country on the Iron Range, Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron hung out at the Whistling Bird. For me this cements its place as a strange portal between the Iron Range and high society, where Hollywood and hematite collide.
While some of the older material from Brown’s newspaper career and his work at KAXE radio merit attention, they are not, taken in their totality, the “meat” of this banquet. It’s Brown’s original essays, such as “Bobby Zimmerman Doesn’t Live Hear Anymore” (a fairly long and creative look at why it is Dylan isn’t “all that” to Hibbingites) and “Bedtime”(the last piece in the book, a short homily to the author’s native landscape) that really sing.
The point is to live a story. To be a hero who, despite flaws and mistakes, tries to do good…And then, most importantly, we must tell the story. To our kids. To someone. We are a people of stories. Stories need settings, though, and there is no setting quite like the Iron Range…”
Indeed. Might I suggest, dear readers, that you pick up my novel, Suomalaiset: People of the Marsh and read it for some insights into the Iron Range’s past. Then buy a copy of this fine collection to gain an understanding of what the future holds for all those who call the Iron Ranges of Minnesota their home.
4 1/2 stars out of 5.
