The Monkey Wrench Gang: Sabotage in the Southwest

I just finish reading my first Edward Abbey book, The Monkey Wrench Gang.

I became aware of Abbey about 2 years ago when I met a man who quoted him fairly often. Now, I have finally gotten around to reading one of his most celebrated, er, rather notorious novels. And I have to say, I’m planning on reading more.

The novel is about a quartet of dynamite welding patriots who are fed up with the system systematically destroying the ecosystem. They decided to try and throw a monkey wrench in the cogs of progress. In the process, they have some mighty adventures brushing shoulders with death, government, and a lot of desert sand.

I’m quite fond of the way Abbey strings words together–he manages to bend and twist the English language just to the edge of reasonable sense. For example, on page 69, Doc Sarvis says, “Let our practice form our doctrine, thus assuring precise theoretical coherence.” Brillant.

There are rumors, and at least according to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), the book has been adapted for film and they began shooting this summer.

One man alone can be pretty dumb sometimes, but for real bona fide stupidity, there ain’t nothin’ can beat teamwork. – Edward Abbey

Should be interesting, at least.