Matt McAvoy Book Review

In the beautiful forest hills of Boulder County, Colorado, Buddy cultivates weed on his conservation land.  Whilst the growing of weed is not illegal in the state, he is unlicensed and pays no tax… suffice also to say that he grows slightly more than the few plants permitted for personal use.  Now, whilst Buddy has never bothered anybody before with his lifelong hobby and livelihood, he is suddenly attracting all sorts of unwanted attention – the wrong kind - from Colorado’s neighbouring states.  After generations of hemp use in the family business, Buddy now finds himself on the radar of powerful political officials, greedy regional energy companies and deranged Bible-bashers, keen to throw the book at his operation… and, perhaps, get their hands on his rumoured 70-kilo stash; unsurprisingly, their motives are not without ulterior agenda.  We will very quickly come to learn, of course, that corporate monopoly and zealous Christian righteousness are infinitely more dangerous than the “devil weed” they so profess their opposition to.

Very good quality writing, in a book steered predominantly by dry, witty and rallying dialogue.  It is very talky, that’s true - perhaps at times overly so - but character interaction is the whole point of this intelligent, sharply-scripted look at American history, and its contrast to modern societal dynamics.  Boulder County is so much more than an indictment of corporate America, and it is at its very best when portraying the rise of Buddy’s forefathers and direct ancestors; it is quite fascinating to read of the employment of organic natural resources in the context of European and American history, as the business family’s backstory takes shape.  Krulewitch knows his subject very well, and presents it even better, along with well researched and interesting facts about the use of hemp and its impact upon the world, whilst soap-making is affectionately explained as a true craft. 

Herein lies the true, profound tone of this book: simply put, the contrast between a world in which all was new and visionary, and our modern world, in which the rich and powerful can simply take their future from the expertise and innovation of others, is brought keenly and astutely into focus.  There are agents and guns, etc., but this is not some narco action, or a thriller in any way; nor is it a serious politico-corporate expose -  it is simply no more or less than a moral cautionary tale, and a very good one, laced with wicked humour throughout.  Krulewitch is a superb author; I enjoyed this book a lot, and I very highly recommend it.

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