Dust

After reading the graphic novel "The Storm in the Barn," a horror story set during the Dust Bowl days in the American Midwest, someone recommended this book to me. It had a similar premise -- a horror story set during the Dust Bowl, this time in Canada -- but I figured it would be different enough to give a new take on the concept. And it certainly is a creative and chilling book, bringing a strong dose of Lovecraft-inspired terror to an unlikely era and place... but the writing style feels a little scattered, and the story moves slowly until the last third of the book.

In a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada, a young boy has gone missing... and though the adults seem to have given up hope of finding him, his older brother, the book-obsessed Robert, is determined to keep searching. But interest in looking for the lost boy fades when a mysterious stranger drifts into town and offers to end the brutal drought by building a "rainmill," a machine that can generate storms and provide rain for the crops. Most of the adults in town throw themselves into the work... but Robert sees that the stranger is drawing the town into his thrall for a sinister purpose, and believes that he's responsible for his brother and for other missing children. Can Robert stop the stranger's plot and save his brother before disaster strikes?

I can understand authors wanting to keep their writing style simple for younger readers, but even for a younger reader the prose in "Dust" feels oddly simple and plain. The text frequently pauses to define larger words for the reader instead of letting their meaning come out in the story, and at times it felt like things were being repeated and over-explained. Most kids, especially those who read a lot, aren't idiots, and authors really don't have to talk down to them in their writing... and I firmly believe that even young kids can appreciate clever and beautiful writing.

The story's pacing is fairly slow for most of the book, and things don't really pick up until the last third. But Slade uses the slow pace to gradually build up the unsettling elements and to instill a chill that builds to a thrilling climax, so that's not entirely bad. There's a quiet menace that infiltrates this book, with subtle hints at unseen horrors that work more effectively than just throwing the monsters at us right away would have been, and fans of H. P. Lovecraft's work will appreciate the nature of the horror that menaces the town. And if you like butterflies, you might never see them in quite the same light again after this novel...

While not an amazing book, "Dust" is still a good read, a chilling historical-horror story that's not gory or graphic at all but still manages to unsettle and spook its reader. Probably best for younger readers who want something a little more advanced than "Goosebumps" but still want to be spooked by what they read.

Set in a dry, dusty Canadian town during the Depression Era, young Robert Steelgate is missing his young brother Matthew. Yet the disturbing thing is that he seems to be the only person missing him. A stranger comes to town promising rain and that is the same time kids start disappearing. Coincidence, or not?

This book was like a really good episode of The Twilight Zone. Things start off so plain, so dried out, so matter-of-fact. Then young Matthew, who insisted he be allowed to walk to town that day (instead of riding in the cart with his mom), meets a pale stranger (Abram Harisch) on the road. Meanwhile, Robert is left at home to read his science fiction story (The Warlock of Mars) that his uncle lent him. Reluctantly, Robert sets his book aside to see to the chickens like he promised only to find some scared chickens and some nasty blood eggs. Yuck! That’s when Sargent Ramson and Officer Davies show up to take Robert to town to be with his family as they begin the search for Matthew.

With a blend of historical fiction, mystery, and science fiction, the author spins a tale of a town hoping too hard for good rains, of good people willing to let their memories of lost children slip from them, and of how one boy with a strong, questioning imagination may be the only one to save them. Quite frankly, it was those scared chickens and their blood eggs that sucked me into the story. It was spooky and yet the biologist in me wanted an egg to examine. But I couldn’t have one of those eggs, but I could examine this story. From there, I wasn’t disappointed.

Abram with the odd eyes (I think he’s an albino) sets up a movie screen and the town gathers to see the attraction. Once the stranger has gained some small amount of trust with the town, he starts setting in his motion his bigger plan: promise the rains & happiness, take their wealth & memories, keep his end of the bargain with an unknown entity (which means more children disappear). At one point, Abram confides a bit in Robert because Robert has this innate ability to see through Abram’s charms. That was an eerie scene!

The ending reveals the master plan of Abram while also keeping some things up to the reader to decide. I liked that there was a little mystery left over at the end. We have everything resolved that counts, but the exact how and why of it may never be fully understood. Also, there is some wonderful imagery involving butterflies and moths. It’s a recurring small touch that kept me hooked. I was quite pleased with the ending. Not everything ended in rainbows but enough did for me to say it was a happy ending for our main character, Robert.

I received a copy of this book at no cost from the author with no strings attached.

Narration: Arthur Slade was pretty good as a narrator for this story. He had distinct voices for each person and decent female voices. I especially liked his voice for Robert’s uncle who was always giving him SFF books that his mom might not approve of.

What a fantastical journey of the strength and soul of Robert Steelgate 11 yrs old the brother of Mathew younger who had disappeared along with other children in town after a strange man Abram comes with promises of rain and prosperity in a Dusty Canadian town during the Depression era, is where we see the story unfold.
Robert Steelgate is an unusual hero,he has an insight or talent that allows him to see what others don't if it be threw the omen of blood eggs or the ability to see through what others want him to believe about their good intentions and helpful nature.
He is the only one who can find his missing little brother, there are strange forces taking over the town's people if it be a form of mesmerizing or dark forces, they seem obsessed over one thing and seldom remember that there are children missing.
Other than Robert the only other adult that has not bought into Abram is the Monty Sargent Ransom.
This story was fantastical in both the events that unfold and the vocabulary used to tell the story.The ending leaves just the right amount of mystery for the reader to continue what was going on in the end. The narrator did a great job with this story and I think it will be a book that schools could use in Middle grade to further language and vocabulary skills of their students.
Arthur Slade bid a great job of both writting the story and narrating it.

It is depression times and the farmers are in the middle of a drought. Young Robert's brother has disappears and months latter it is like Robert is the only one that remembers his brother even existed. A odd man shows up in town promising he can make it rain if the towns people help him build a rainmill. Robert's father signs right up but Roberts uncle refuses not trusting the man. Things get even stranger from there, but somehow Robert is not affected and must help save his brother, family, friend, and possibly the whole town.

This book started right off with high octane suspense and never stopped. The characters are all very well put together and very interesting. I had the audio version which the author narrated himself and did a awesome job. The different voices for the different characters were really good and he really made the story come alive for me through the eyes of young Robert, it was amazing. I hope there are more books like this because I really enjoyed this audio and will definitely look for from this author.

This book starts out with the question "do you like being young?" Young Matthew says, yes I do. And there starts the tale. The setting of this story is in depression-era Upper Canada, a time of drought. A little brother disappears, a mysterious stranger arrives, and an 11 year old boy wants to bring home his sibling. Wonderfully told, excellent descriptions, characters that I could sympathize with, and a Canadian Mountie to boot. A very interesting, spooky tale of a quest for eternal life and a young child that wants to set things right and bring lost children home.

I was fortunate enough to enjoy the Audible version of this book, which is read by the author himself. I recommend reading/listening to it. Perfect read for this Halloween time of year.

Arthur Spade did a good job with this book. There is a lot of suspense and mystery. It starts with a boy named Matthew that was walking to town to get some candy (his parents wanted his brother Robert to go with him yet he wanted to stay home alone), and a truck pulled up and offered Matthew a ride. His parents tell Robert that they are going into town. Robert goes out to feed the chickens and he doesn't see them, he goes inside the shed and the are all hunched up in a corner as if they are scared. He pulls them away from each other and finds 3 eggs, he accidentally drops one and it was a blood egg. Anyway, the sheriff comes by to get Robert and he is taken to town. He sees his parents looking thin and frail and learns of his brothers disappearance. Other children have been also been disappearing. After this is when you will discover little by little what is happening. People in town will start to forget things and act differently (they don't mention the missing children, it's as if they don't remember their own children). Robert is left to find out the truth. Will he find the missing children or are they all dead?

Creepy and unsettling, this is one of those stories that is so hard to classify by genre. Whether you call it magical realism, historical suspense or a piece of light horror, this book is fantastic. Despite the length and age of the main character, this book is written for all ages, not simply young adults. Slade is a skilled writer with well developed characters. Set during the Great Depression era, the Canadian prairie drought was vividly described, becoming another character in the story. I highly recommend this unique and memorable story to a wide range of readers.

Until I read the nominations and awards particularly "An American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults" I did not realise that this was a book aimed at young adults and being far from young I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The book gets off to a slow start and slowly develops drawing the reader into the story. I liked the way it was written from a child's point of view with his fascination for words and the way their meanings were interpreted by him. The description of the characters and the locations was very good. Fairly early in the story Robert's (the central characters) brother goes missing and until I read further I thought it strange that no one seemed particularly interested however all becomes clear as the story developed. It is a fairly short story but I would have liked it to be slightly longer so the ending although satisfactory could have had a bit more detail.
In summary a great book suitable for all ages, don't be put off because it is a young adult book.

The children are going missing, The town is forgetting. What the heck is going on. A new man moves into town and brings vision of rain. Rain that tastes like sugar. All the adults are working on his “rainmill” and they are forgetting the missing children. One little boy vows to remember his missing brother even if his parents don’t. One child notices the evil the rain maker is bringing. Can he save the town? Read to find out how he saves the missing children of horshoe.
Reviewers note…
The author left me hanging on several things… One the mirror? What was it? Did it really show your hearts desires? 2… The author noted at the main character seeing the future… 3. Ummmm ok then what the hell happened at the end?
3 on the boredom scale!!

Gave this book five stars...wonderful storytelling. Have me the familiar feeling of reading a Stephen King book! Would love to see this made into a movie. Only thing I didn't like was that towards the end, the storyline seemed a bit rushed; and our little hero suddenly knew what he had to do, whereas for so long he chose no action. The ending was just too quick, and could have had a better build up to the climax and ending. Overall, tho, a great read! If you like the unknown, you'll enjoy this book.

If Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes met Phillip Pullman's The Golden Compass in the world of Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath, you might end up with something like Arthur Slade's YA novel Dust. Or at least, you might end up with the basic premise, setting, and tone/style. Falling short of these classics is no great fault, but unfortunately I'd say Dust falls a bit short even in less rarified company. It isn't a bad book by any stretch; it is in fact quite solid and has some lovely moments, but overall it fell a bit flat for me.

Set in the Canadian prairie during the Dust Bowl 30's, the book opens up with a chilling introduction to a small child about to go missing. Later we meet the young boy's older brother Robert, who will be the protagonist of the novel. At first his parents and the townspeople are traumatized by the disappearance as one might expect, but when a stranger (Abram) arrives in town promising to build a machine that will bring the rains, Robert's brother is seemingly forgotten even by his parents. Even when more children start disappearing, the townspeople--adults and children--don't seem to notice. The one exception is Robert, who seems at least partially immune to Abram's mesmerism. Determined, suspicious, and growing into maturity and independence, Robert learns Abram's dark secret, as well as the horrifying reality of what is happening to the town's children. Though Robert prevails in the end, the victory is far from wholly happy.

Robert's characterization throughout is one of the book's strengths. From the very beginning, when he's introduced to us as a boy sneaking unapproved reading (John Carter of Mars, Treasure Island) given him by his more-lenient uncle to the way he walks "the cusp" as one characters says between "dreaming and reality," between childhood and adulthood, to his stubborn determination to find out what happened to his brother, he is a character that feels wholly real and worth following. His Uncle Alden, who not only reads but writes science fiction and weird tales, is another well-drawn, if relatively minor character. Abrams, meanwhile, has at times some of that delicious Bradbury-like sinister magic surrounding him. Unfortunately, at other times he comes across as flat or overly-explained or worse, overly-expository. Other characters, such as Robert's parents or school friends, are comparatively flat, even before they are "mesmerized" and are supposed to act that way.

The plot itself is equally mixed. At times there are wonderfully tense moments and the very end of the book is both tense and moving. On the other hand, the story moves a bit slowly in places and the culminating conflict between Robert and Abrams is strangely plotted so as to rob it of a lot of excitement. At times, the book is a little slowed by over-exposition, and sometimes Robert's point-of-view slips the constraints of a child's mindset. The prose is mostly solid if not eye-opening for the most part. But when Slade is describing the physical and mental details of the setting itself--the plains and the drought--the prose snaps into sharp, searing precision, as when he describes the grasshoppers that seem smaller than last year due to the lack of rain or the way a truck appears out of the road's heat haze.

Dust has a likable main character, a very intriguing setting, and if the style and plot is a bit mixed, it leans over more on the positive side than the negative. It is, however, one of those YA books that is really best read and enjoyed by that YA audience, as opposed to one of those with more crossover adult appeal.

Set in Horshoe, Canada during the Depression, this novel is as spare and practical as the dustbowl farms it describes. Robert is an 11-year-old, who loves reading and enjoys words to the extent that you can practically see him rolling a tasty word around in his mouth like a fine wine. One day his little brother Matthew disappears on the way to town, and Robert seems to be the only one who remembers Matthew or cares that he's gone. His parents, after their initial panicked search for Matthew seem to forget he ever existed. A new man, Abram Harsich, comes to town around the same time and promises the townspeople that his new machine will make it rain and save their farms, save their entire lives. The whole town pitches in to work on the rain machine, almost like they are under a hypnotic spell. Only Robert is able to resist, but can he make the town and his parents remember their missing children? Where are the children and what is Harsich up to?

A quick read, the sparse language manages to describe so much, with so few words. It's hauntingly beautiful and not overly explained. The reader is left to sketch in some of his or her own explanations. For some kids, that's great, it's a jumping off point, some kids really want things completely explained and may want to talk about this afterwards. The whole question of "could my parents really totally forget me" could be upsetting for younger children.

A good, quick, quality read.

A relatively slow paced book. Not bad, but it felt too subtle and understated for its own good. There were times when I expected things would get tense, but it never felt like it did. I imagine if this were to be made into a movie, there would be lots of scenes of the charcters looking very meaningfully into the camera, or off into the distance. Without that though, what's here doesn't really bring that out.
I also felt that while the villian was doing appropriately horrible things, I never got the sense that he was doing more than a nine to five job. Not sure how else to explain it; maybe if the boy had seen or sensed more of the evil in Abram, things would have been more interesting.

Although published in 2004, I just became aware of this title, and I really don't know how I missed it when it was released.

Somewhat reminiscent of a Dean Koontz or Stephen King work, Dust begins with the disappearance of seven-year-old Matthew Steelgate from a small, farming town. There are no witnesses, no clues, no answers. Shortly thereafter, a stranger appears in the town, and the people in the town begin to change. Children are still disappearing and no one but Matthew's 11-year-old brother, Robert, seems to care...or even remember the disappearance.

A well-written book that I thoroughly enjoyed and read in a day. My only major complaint is that it was too short.

Recommended for lovers of books with a supernatural flavor.

I was very impressed with the voice of the character and the perfect balance of description and action in this book. The dusty setting is so realistically portrayed that I got thirsty while reading and even sneezed! The story satisfies on many levels as a paranormal mystery, an immersion experience in the life of a farm boy, and also as an exploration of the power of dreams as motivation and inspiration. Though this book is targeted to young people, I recommend it to anyone who wants to escape the real world for a while, and then rejoin it with a new perspective and appreciation.

During the Great Depression, Robert's younger brother Matthew disappears from a small dusty prairie community in Saskatchewan, after Robert refuses to walk into town with him. Plagued with guilt, Robert finds himself at first drawn to the new stranger in town, Abram Harsich, who claims he can help the town's dry spell by building a "rainmill." However, as the rest of the townspeople fall under Abram's spell, Robert and his Uncle Alden seem to be the only ones who think that Abram isn't who he says he is. More children start to disappear and eventually Robert starts to piece together the mystery. The premise of the book was interesting, but all the supernatural elements were kind of strange. And the ending was just unfulfilling.

Dust won the Governor General award for children's literature in 2001, and rightly so. This novel is refreshingly different, with strong character development, and unexpected plot development. I couldn't put it down.

Magical Realisim at its best. Robert's younger brother vanishes on the way to town. A rainmaker soon appears. Things aren't what they seem and people are forgetting what they ought to remember. All but Robert. Arthur Slade imbue's DUST with magic to spare. A wonderful read and not easily forgotten.

I had high expectations concerning Dust, and was quite disappointed.
It was certainly well written, and at the beginning I was hooked and wanted to find out what was happening. But it degenerated into something unrealistic, weird and silly. The ending was a complete let down.

Grips you from the very beginning to the end. Well defined characters and a very interesting plot. I cannot remember when I enjoyed reading this much! I am surprised that I haven't heard of this book or author before, but will keep my eyes peeled for more adventures.

This book starts out with the question "do you like being young?" Young Matthew says, yes I do. And there starts the tale. The setting of this story is in depression-era Upper Canada, a time of drought. A little brother disappears, a mysterious stranger arrives, and an 11 year old boy wants to bring home his sibling. Wonderfully told, excellent descriptions, characters that I could sympathize with, and a Canadian Mountie to boot. A very interesting, spooky tale of a quest for eternal life and a young child that wants to set things right and bring lost children home.

I was fortunate enough to enjoy the Audible version of this book, which is read by the author himself. I recommend reading/listening to it. Perfect read for this Halloween time of year.

After reading the graphic novel "The Storm in the Barn," a horror story set during the Dust Bowl days in the American Midwest, someone recommended this book to me. It had a similar premise -- a horror story set during the Dust Bowl, this time in Canada -- but I figured it would be different enough to give a new take on the concept. And it certainly is a creative and chilling book, bringing a strong dose of Lovecraft-inspired terror to an unlikely era and place... but the writing style feels a little scattered, and the story moves slowly until the last third of the book.

In a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada, a young boy has gone missing... and though the adults seem to have given up hope of finding him, his older brother, the book-obsessed Robert, is determined to keep searching. But interest in looking for the lost boy fades when a mysterious stranger drifts into town and offers to end the brutal drought by building a "rainmill," a machine that can generate storms and provide rain for the crops. Most of the adults in town throw themselves into the work... but Robert sees that the stranger is drawing the town into his thrall for a sinister purpose, and believes that he's responsible for his brother and for other missing children. Can Robert stop the stranger's plot and save his brother before disaster strikes?

I can understand authors wanting to keep their writing style simple for younger readers, but even for a younger reader the prose in "Dust" feels oddly simple and plain. The text frequently pauses to define larger words for the reader instead of letting their meaning come out in the story, and at times it felt like things were being repeated and over-explained. Most kids, especially those who read a lot, aren't idiots, and authors really don't have to talk down to them in their writing... and I firmly believe that even young kids can appreciate clever and beautiful writing.

The story's pacing is fairly slow for most of the book, and things don't really pick up until the last third. But Slade uses the slow pace to gradually build up the unsettling elements and to instill a chill that builds to a thrilling climax, so that's not entirely bad. There's a quiet menace that infiltrates this book, with subtle hints at unseen horrors that work more effectively than just throwing the monsters at us right away would have been, and fans of H. P. Lovecraft's work will appreciate the nature of the horror that menaces the town. And if you like butterflies, you might never see them in quite the same light again after this novel...

While not an amazing book, "Dust" is still a good read, a chilling historical-horror story that's not gory or graphic at all but still manages to unsettle and spook its reader. Probably best for younger readers who want something a little more advanced than "Goosebumps" but still want to be spooked by what they read.