Melissa Crytzer Fry's Reviews > Once There Were Wolves

Charlotte McConaghy has done it again, flexing the same writerly muscles she did in Migrations: deep character portrayal (and flaws), tough-as-nails female characters,
emotional roller coasters, an immersive and sensory experience with nature, and the importance of wildlife…

Yep. Hooked from page one – especially given Inti’s empathic abilities and ties to the natural world. Though I have to be honest; I was a little worried about this one, as I’m not a mystery reader, and I feared the book would be too commercial for my tastes. Unfounded concerns! The mystery element is so centrally tied to the health/success of the wolves that it simply elevates the entire story, which is so beautifully written.

For me, it took only 32 pages to feel I HAD to have answers to at least a dozen questions the author wove into the story. And, frankly, I – once again – found myself vigorously nodding my head at the environmental sentiments of the main character, Inti. It should be said these passages are few, and this book does not come off in any way sanctimonious. In fact, once again, I respect McConaghy for showing both sides of the environmental dilemma she tackles: the animal and the human. Here, she humanizes sheep farmers (in Migrations, it was commercial fishermen) while educating readers about the wolf-forest connection. I actually wanted more nature and wolves!

Some quote-worthy sentiments in the book:

Inti’s dad speaking: “Look, girls. We have to do our bit to slow the changing of our planet’s climate, to halt its degradation … We’re not here to consume until everything’s gone – we are custodians, not owners…”

The danger – or possibility of connection when two wolves meet for first time: “It is easy to tell myself that what passes between them is only biology, nature, but then who said love does not exist in the nature of all things?”

I found so much of the story realistic – in particular the community members’ reactions to the reintroduction of wolves. I sat in on a similar (but not-wolf-related) community meeting years ago when a conservation agency was asking landowners to allow the agency to steward their land for conservation purposes. We were among those (I was ALL for it), and was shocked to see how downright hostile the ranchers were to the idea. “We know how to manage our land. We don’t need you telling us what to do.” McConaghy showcases the ‘why’ behind these kinds of emotional responses to the conflicting interests of farming and rewilding/conservation.

As usual, there are lovely thematic parallels running through the story, and an exquisitely rendered – if not difficult to read – metaphor between woman and wolf. I will read anything this author writes. So bring on the next!

4.5 rounded up (knocked down for an ending with some unrealistic twists -- though I did suspend disbelief for the most part. Mostly the ending, to me, felt rushed and inconsistent with the beginning of the story, but – once again – this kind of stylistic departure makes me believe it was an editorial decision and not necessarily the author’s choice).

I had SO much fun buddy reading this book with Melissa (Bantering Books)!