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