[ book tip by Den danske Bibliotek ] A wonderful, well-written and wistful must-read about Aunt Lillian, a colourful go-getter and unruly, exuberant Western enthusiast. We first meet her in 1987 at the age of forty, when together with her family, she fulfils her cowboy dream on the Swedish ‘prairie’. Aunt Lillian thrives among the ponies and firs and her family indulges her, while the reader winces in embarrassment, and not for the last time, either.

The story is told in an imaginative fashion by her niece, who after Aunt Lillian's death flies to Vietnam to bring her urn back home. There is not much of the Wild West in Vietnam, but her aunt chose to emigrate there after being deeply wounded and forsaking her family. Before that happened, she was the family's firebrand in Over Dråby. Once, for instance, she wandered around with a homemade cross and crucified Jesus tied to her back, in a protest against capitalism and the royal family. That was not received particularly well, in direct contrast to her heartfelt social engagement both locally and in the Western club “Gunslinger”, and to her rare and unique singing talent, which she showcased under her artist name 'Texas Rose', while preferably on horseback. There are plenty of examples of how people felt about her, because Aunt Lillian was fantastic and added so much colour to the world.

"Texas Rose" is a thoroughly well-written, sparklingly humorous and thought-provoking story,  that not only entertains but also penetrates the human facade. Aunt Lillian must have been one of the last honest people on earth, I think, and I wonder why it is so embarrassing and alarming to see or hear about people who are one hundred percent honest, honest to themselves and to others. And why is it in some weird way so wonderful to read about?

I enjoyed every word of this story and munched on every sentence before allowing it all to settle in my stomach. The story is like a song you can't get out of your head, and as an odd little bonus, I now know a good deal about cowboys and the Western way of life.

If only I had an Aunt Lillian.

By Zenia Johnsen

[ book info ] Plambeck, Dy: Texas Rose. (original language: Dansk) Gyldendal, København , 2008 . ISBN: 978-87-02-06749-1.