Sunday, March 28, 2021

Once there Were Wolves

Well, I surely never thought I would find myself captivated by a story about repopulating wolves into Scotland but this book caught me off guard, snagging me from page one.  Although I am not finished, I can tell you that the moody prose take you right into the thick of the dark woods to places where wildlife live, survive, and protect themselves at all cost.  Quiet. Haunting. Disturbing.

Really, how can you not wonder what phrases like this will bring: "There are languages without words and violence is one of them.".

The story so far: Inti Flynn arrives in Scotland with her twin sister, Aggie, to lead a team of biologists tasked with reintroducing fourteen grey wolves into the remote Highlands. She hopes to heal not only the dying landscape, but Aggie, who has suffered secrets that drove the sisters from their Alaska home.

The ecological profile of the Highlands has been disturbed by the desertion/death of the wolves.  The deer population has gotten out of control resulting in vanishing vegetation.  Of course, the farmers resist the reintroduction program, fearing their sheep, and thus their economy, will suffer.  Still, the project moves forward and the wolves thrive.  

When a farmer is mauled to death, Inti knows where blame will fall and she makes it her mission to prove otherwise.  

I will leave you with this passage and hope it will lead you into the woods....

...and then comes something else, raising the hairs on my neck.

It sounds like a distant ocean.

Or the first stirrings of a storm.

Wind in the canopy of trees.

"That's the sound of wolves whispering."...

"Two separate packs, speaking to each other as they draw near."

It is eerie and so beautiful.

Thanks for stopping by.

Stay safe. Stay well. Stay happy.

Spring is here.


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