Thomas Savage’s “The Power of the Dog,” a novel published in 1967, offers a profound and unsettling exploration of masculinity, repression, and desire within the rugged landscape of a 20th-century American ranch. This review delves into the intricate psychological dynamics that drive the narrative, making it a compelling read even decades after its initial release. The story’s enduring power lies in its nuanced character portrayals and its unflinching examination of societal pressures.
The novel centers on the Burbank brothers, Phil and George, who own the largest ranch in their rural corner of America. Their personalities are starkly different: George is quiet, kind, and unassuming, while Phil is brilliant, charismatic, yet deeply intolerant. Their lives on the isolated ranch are disrupted when George marries Rose, a gentle widow with a teenage son named Peter. Phil, harboring a secret self-loathing and projecting his internalized homophobia onto others, immediately takes a disliking to Rose and her effeminate son, seeing Peter as the embodiment of everything he despises. This sets the stage for a complex power play, filled with subtle emotional abuse and simmering tension.
Phil Burbank is a masterfully crafted character, a study in contradictions. He is a man who “loathed the world, should it loathe him,” embodying a toxic form of masculinity fueled by deep-seated repression. While the “homophobic homosexual” trope can be problematic, Savage’s portrayal predates widespread discourse on the subject and offers a powerful, albeit disturbing, look at the internal battles of a man struggling with his identity in a heteronormative Western setting. The novel delves into the devastating impact of Phil’s cruelty, not to excuse his abusive behavior, but to highlight how societal constraints can shape individuals into destructive forces.
The narrative expertly weaves in the stories of supporting characters, adding layers of context and depth. Rose’s struggle with Phil’s psychological torment, and her tentative, hopeful relationship with the solid George, is particularly devastating to witness. The inclusion of characters like Edward Nappo, whose story touches on the displacement of Native American tribes, broadens the novel’s scope beyond the immediate domestic drama. These interwoven narratives prevent the story from becoming overwhelmingly insular, offering a richer tapestry of life on the frontier.
“The Power of the Dog” is more than just a psychological thriller; it’s a deeply felt exploration of love, cruelty, and unspoken desires. Despite the characters’ limited physical contact, an uncomfortable yet undeniable sensuality permeates the narrative. The novel’s power lies in its intricate character development and the unfolding of its psychodrama, which is deeply satisfying without being overtly explicit. The author’s masterful prose creates a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the final page.
The audiobook, narrated by Chad Michael Collins, is highly recommended. His gravelly cowboy drawl, reminiscent of characters from “Red Dead Redemption 2,” brings the characters to life with remarkable authenticity. The narrator’s skillful performance enhances the moments of beauty, hope, and tenderness, making the emotional impact of the story even more profound. The relatively short length of the audiobook suggests a taut, tightly constructed narrative that grips the listener from beginning to end.
While the ending might feel somewhat abrupt to readers invested in the characters’ fates, it serves the story’s purpose, concluding exactly as it needed to. “The Power of the Dog” is a testament to the power of literature to explore the complexities of the human psyche. It is a book that offers a significant scope and a rich interior life for its characters, likely providing a different and perhaps even deeper experience than its film adaptation. The novel’s symbols, particularly the willow trees, take on new meaning, representing the subtle and often hidden currents of queer desire. This is a must-read for anyone interested in character-driven narratives and the darker aspects of human nature.
