The Last Shepherd (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780874178869)

Mathieu Etchiberri wants nothing more than to leave his family's Arizona sheep ranch and go to college, but his father insists that he take over the ranch instead. Then his father is killed in an accident, and Matt discovers that he is not the heir to the ranch. So he travels to the French Pyrenees from which his father and grandparents came to settle the questions about his legacy. Instead, he discovers a vast Basque family and a mystery that drove his father to America and still festers in the mountain village. As Matt resolves the mystery of his family, he also discovers his Basque roots and learns the nature of love of family, responsibility, and the tension between individual desires and the needs of a community.

Matt's journey to manhood takes place in a vividly depicted landscape populated by lively, memorable characters. This is the powerful story of a young man's search for an identity that encompasses two cultures and one complex, scattered family.

Author: Martin Etchart
ISBN-10: 087417886X
ISBN-13: 9780874178869
Publisher: University of Nevada Press
Language: English
Published: 11/06/2012
Pages: 216
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.50lbs
Size: 7.90h x 5.30w x 0.70d
Award: Independent Publisher Book Awards - Gold Medal Winner

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 09/24/2012
Booklist 11/01/2012 pg. 23