The book is written in a different, but effective way. It flows from Will's current life to Will's past life in separate paragraphs continually throughout the book. This style of writing is very effective because each paragraph flows into one another. The novel begins with Will reading a letter that his father has written to his mother. The paragraphs switch back and forth from the letters to where he actually is for the first couple of chapters. Will's father is on the professional rodeo circuit and is no longer apart of Will's or James's life, who is the younger brother of Will. Rose, Will's mother, keeps the letters that her husband writes in a chest and does not show her sons any of the letters. Rose does not want her husband to be any part of her sons lives or any part of her own. The letters clearly note show in an indirect way that he does not want to pay any child support and he continues to make up excuses about where his money is going. Will does not realize, but it is easy to tell that his father is not a role model.

Over time Will and Louise become closer and closer. Will eats supper at her place at least once a week, but Will is not brave enough to show Louise his true feelings. Louise decided it was time to move out to a bigger place. This place had a photo studio in the basement and Harlen was positive that she got this for him. Harlen was always sure he was right and pressured Will a lot into asking Louise to let her let Will move in. The place was definitely big enough for Louise, South Wing and Will, but Will said that he liked living on his own. Will spent the first week at Louise's new house right after she moved in and she even brought up living with her. Will wanted to do something as a family for Christmas but Louise had plans to go and visit South Wing's father. South Wing's father proposed to Louise at supper one night, but Louise said no to him and came home the next day. Louise obviously loved Will too much to do that to him, but they never did get married or move in together.

Will had never, as far as he can remember, had a father figure in his life. His father was in his life as a very young child but left to pursue other interests. As Will ages he begins to lie about what his father does. He makes up imaginative occupations to people he talks to that would not know his situation. Will creates his father to show that he belongs to a normal family. After many elaborate stories and occupations his father begins to take on a distinctive look and Will has somewhat of a father figure in his life. He looks forward to every time he travels so that he can make up more stories about his father. Will is also very lonely when he begins to make up these stories. His mother is dead, he has never seen his father and his younger brother James is traveling.

Will discovers another type of family in Medicine River. He is a part of the community's basketball team. The team goes through its trials and tribulations, but in the end they all come together as a team and win the championship. No one on their team believed they could do it without their star player Clyde Whiteman. He was thrown in jail for the third time and was unable to compete for th

Some common words found in the essay are:
Medicine River, Wing Susan, South Wing, Harlen Bigbear, Clyde Whiteman, Harlen Harlen, Rose Will's, South Wing's, Zealand Australia, medicine river, Standoff David, south wing, louise south, louise south wing, basketball team, father figure life, south wing's, wing's father, will's home, role model, figure life, father figure, south wing's father,
Approximate Word count = 1464
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)