That Old Ace in the Hole

In "That Old Ace in the Hole," Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Proulx introduces Bob Dollar, a disillusioned young man from Denver who finds himself in the small Texas town of Woolybucket working for Global Pork Rind. As he navigates life in LaVon Fronk's old bunkhouse and contributes at Cy Frease's Old Dog Café, he uncovers the fierce attachment of local ranchers to their land amid change. This vibrant narrative weaves together themes of history, landscape, and the complexities of love, showcasing one of contemporary fiction's most unforgettable characters.