Once There Were Wolves

The wolf parts and information was great, however, authors please stop beating us over the head with your message and obvious political opinions.

This book was a dark, atmospheric fairy tale about how it isn’t the Big Bad Wolf we should be afraid of…maybe, it’s each other? I loved how this story grabbed me by the throat from the first sentence and then seeped into me, page after page, holding my interest until the end. In small sections, this book reminded me of David Lynch with its dream-like/fugue state imagery. Although there is a mystery surrounding the death of a local farmer who is against the re-population of wolves, it didn’t feel like a real murder mystery and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone looking for that. Also, warning that there is mention of sexual violence. Nothing graphic. This was a good blend of a noir-ish fairy tale and eco-fiction without tipping into the everything-will-die doom and gloom displayed by some books in this genre (including this author’s previous novel). Because I enjoyed how the author told the story of a biologist bringing her twin sister and grey wolves to the Scottish Highlands to save them all, I forgave little things. Or that the issue of bringing wolves back to the Scottish Highlands after they were hunted to extinction wasn’t delved into deeper. I wanted to know more but I loved how this book made me think, think hard, about my place in the natural world around me. There was so much to savor while reading (that underground, tree roots tangle all together, making a family that helps each other to thrive; how wolves usually mate for life; and learning about “mirror touch synesthesia,” a condition that results in someone feeling the sensations experienced by those observed), but what I enjoyed the most was the conversation it sparked: 1) That making the wolf a boogeyman allows us to deflect our own capacity for violence. 2) Can we talk about how “mirror touch synesthesia” is a real thing?! 5% of the general population have it - people like Marilyn Monroe and Vincent Van Gogh are believed to have had this condition. 3) Perhaps, one flawed soul could only be comfortable with another soul just as flawed. 4) What is the natural state of man? Maybe, because man has damaged his environment, both the natural one and the ones he created, there can be no peace until man reconciles himself with nature. 5) The author seemed to be asking through the parents - do gentle people wanting to do good become victims of harsh realities? Does one need to “toughen up” in order to survive this world? Some members said too much was thrown into this story for it to be great, but I felt it all boiled down to violence and how much is acceptable. While the twins names are Init (sun) and Aggi (good, pure, holy), there's lots of darkness for them both. There’s no riding off into the sunset in a happily-ever-after to be found here. But maybe this isn’t a bad thing? I walked away with an upbeat view that Mother Nature is immune to man’s pettiness and will fight to find a way. And that if we all do something small to help the environment, it has the potential to turn into something big. Wisdom from the Scottish knitters. I’ll take it and remember this book for some time.

I loved this book!

What a beautiful, thrilling and capturing read! I adore the human - nature relationships described. I celebrate the rewilding on all levels, the purity, the strength and the foresight into how things may be if we start to trust. The hope, that is transcending time and space, despite of cruelty, pain and loss. We have to atune ourselves to nature, find our space within the interconnected ecosystems, and be aware of an endless circle of life. Let's go and rewild! I am feeling mightily inspired.

I don't remember the last time I finished a book so quickly. I was hanging onto every word. I am sad it's over but I'm also so glad I got to experience such a beautiful wild story.