Rattlesnakes

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Rattlesnakes by Texas folklorist J. Frank Dobie was published in 1965—a year after the author’s death.  The book is comprised of 23 articles and essays Dobie had written throughout his life.  Taken separately, they may not be bad.  But as a collection, it’s hit and miss.

At its best, the book showcases Dobie’s ability as a master storyteller with his accounts of snake encounters by humans, animals and even other snakes.  There are homespun stories about things like treatments for snakebite.  There’s even a yarn about rattlesnakes guarding a treasure of gold.

In the latter half of the book, though, the narrative begins to drag.  Among the examples, in the chapter with the unsettling title “Do Rattlesnakes Swallow Their Young?”, Dobie cites 15 nearly identical stories from friends and readers.  After four or five repetitions, you’ll find yourself bored and wanting to simply skip ahead for fresher material.  And for the curious: yes, rattlesnakes do swallow their young to protect them from predators.

According to the book’s dust jacket, Dobie had intended to compile a book like Rattlesnakes before he died.  It’s unfortunate he was unable to do it himself.  The book produced after his death just doesn’t meet the standards of polish and consistency he set in all his earlier works.

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Quotes

Old Captain Frank Bauer…always delighted in his tale of floating across Matagorda Bay on a heavy timber during the hurricane of 1887, which finished Indianola.  He occupied one end of the timber and a rattlesnake the other.

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