Elongated Time

Phyllis Barber's new work, The Precarious Walk: Essays from Sand and Sky, spans immense time. book carries the reader childhood in post–World War II Nevada through adolescence, multiple marriages, children, relocation, ecological change, alterations faith, unfathomable loss, return. ambitious scope of works part because essays are less narrative memoir than they reflections on ideas sensations. Over duration book, can piece together core events life—and writing is very vulnerable at times. However, more a meditation it chronological story. Within an essay, Barber as likely to introduce conflict immediately jump fifteen years forward order explore idea she dive into itself, way might her fiction. Her focused finding exploring moments “elongated quiet” (85) where time “slow bend twist” (123).The quiet reflection place faith harnessed distinct Barber, who grew up Boulder City, Nevada, town created by Department Interior—her grandmother sang opening Hoover Dam—after descending line pioneers moved western United States for their faith. able view depict even preceding life genealogical awareness previous research imagining has done books such novel And Desert Shall Blossom. Walk many ways about itself—how measure it, how draw out, what adds to. What lasts despite shifting winds—core scars, love, shame.In one narrator visits St. Thomas, once entirely swallowed water, now visible again. visit solid example immensity that grapples with routinely these essays. She reflects pioneer residents vanished town, remnants (or lack thereof) left any given person after long stretch time, transformation, fallacies permanence, more, all while rendering landscape vividly. Thomas was flooded dam meant be eternal. As writes: “The engineers politicians built last forever. They colossal lake. But now, though will probably infinity, water?” (49). observes what's feel both initial desire make flourish larger purpose simultaneous see Colorado River flowing without harness, before Lake Mead created.The its strongest when maintain this reflective distance simultaneously presenting stark immediacy sensory detail. When lacks distance, questions don't resonate quite fiercely. In essay “Mt. Charleston My Mind,” example, near-death experience massive boulder just missed flattening family's vehicle rockslide. Here, voice seems caught in-between girl-then present speaker, which leads specificity clarity questions. Similarly, stretches back distant past effective anchored known relative—her great-great-grandfather, mail carrier example—as opposed someone abstract, general basket-maker hundreds ago.But other times, manages remarkably, accomplishing aspires “I lift my experiences limited boundaries transform them unique bloom perception” (188). It's difficult imagine experience—both writer—being orchestrate perceive much does deftly.The starts desert ends there, good reason. Even if return impossible, most alive. describes aftermath bicycle accident way: “Blood gravel tangled until I couldn't tell leg desert” (214). Indeed, story embedded way. images shares linger: rain so loud confused F-15 jets flying overhead, watching mushroom cloud like movie, children gathering around hear uncle “struck clean-through lightning, his boots blown out soles” (71). leaves mark strong addition impressive body work.