Thunder Mountain is a novel of magical 
realism by former Western New Mexico 
University professor and eccentric mountain 
man, Uncle River. Set in the mythical south
western New Mexico mountain town of Elk 
Stuck, the book details mundane and mystical 
events that revolve around the main character, 
drifter Harry Upton, and his quirky, adopted 
family.

After a time of contentment in the lush highland village, peace is disrupted by the arrival of a 
sinister spirit which brings with it a mysterious corporation seemingly allied with covert governmental forces. Environmental rape and 
abuse of the mountain soon spread to threaten 
Elk Stuck's very existence. As Upton and his
cohorts work stealthily to understand the 
company's motives and halt its activities, they 
are aided by the mountain's guardian spirit 
which sends guidance in the form of dreams, 
visions, and even herself. The confusion and calamities spurred by the battle between good 
and evil unravel a study in how character 
drives action and choice determines fate.

Uncle River describes the gritty, high-country 
life with a clarity and detail that can only come 
from living it. Along with appreciation for 
hardy mountain folk and their fringe lifestyle, 
the story invokes the realization that open eyes 
can be both wary and filled with wonder.