Solomon Butcher is the only character in Prairie Visions that is developed with any depth, and even his portrait is not sharply defined. Family members, including his wife Lillie, son Lynn, and daughter Madge, are mentioned by name, but play little part in the narrative. Of more interest are the people in the stories and anecdotes of Custer County who appear briefly but add much to the entertainment value of the book. Who can forget Uncle Swain who throws himself into a snow bank to freeze in order to torment Aunt Sarah but gives up and returns to the soddy when she only laughs at him? It is the same Ephram Swain Finch who later supplies the financing which enables Butcher to finish his book. Equally interesting is the homesteader who falls down a well and spends several days contriving to climb out, as...