David Rhodes and his Novels About Driftless Wisconsin
By Bruce Shawkey David Rhodes, published his novel, Driftless, in 2008 after a long hiatus from writing. This book marked his return to fiction after thirty years, following a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Background — David Rhodes was paralyzed from the chest down due to a motorcycle accident in 1977, which significantly impacted his life and writing career. Setting — The novel is named after the Driftless Area, a region in the Midwest known for its unique geological features, devoid of glacial drift. Critical Reception — Critics have praised "Driftless" as one of the best works of fiction to emerge from the Midwest in recent years, highlighting its vivid portrayal of small-town life. I saw David Rhodes at a reading in the Madison, Wis., public library
