Truly gritty and raw, yet deeply beautifully descriptive of the high country of the Yellowstone area. The contemporary story of brothers left to eke out a basic life in a tough place. Their sibling relationship is tentative at best, but as the author pulls us deeper into the mesh of what becomes a survival mode, they are surprised to learn they respect and honor one another. Filled with action adventure including a very close call on a very fast river intensify the plot. Overriding all, however, is the growing awareness of hope found by both brothers in a world of impossible situations. I liked it.

Beartooth is a deeply sensory novel about two brothers doing what they need to do to not only to survive, but find themselves after the death of their father. Despite its straightforward prose, the beautiful writing, complex themes, and excellent character work elicited quite an emotional reaction from me.

Thad and Hazen are two brothers living alone together in the Montana mountains, reeling with the financial strain of hospital bills after the death of their father. Facing the loss of their house, they’ve taken on small illegal poaching gigs from a strange local guy and his “daughter” to keep them afloat. Thad, being more grounded, deals with the planning and logistics of these jobs, and keeps much of the details of their financial crisis from his brother, who is more nature oriented and better at executing the tasks. When approached with a larger, riskier job, and with the unexpected return of their aloof mother, Thad and Hazen have no other choice but to accept. Due to circumstances around this job, both brothers have to grow as individuals for better or for worse. And as they do so, they both need to face a reality in which they won’t have each other anymore.

This is probably one of the most sensory books I’ve ever read. I came out of this in total awe with how well the serene, and often dangerous, nature was described, I felt like I was up there in the Cottonwoods in the Montana mountains. This paired perfectly with the subdued story which focused more on the gentle exploration of relationships amongst family among the backdrop of a sort of nature heist plot.

While the heist story line might have roped me in, it was the excellent characters that held me onto this. Everyone was so deeply complex and interesting, realistic and flawed in wonderful ways. Critics of this book might say that it is too slow paced, or that not enough happens, but I think it did a perfect job of fully exploring each of these characters as they grew. It was a truly beautiful reading experience.

A story set in the rugged landscape of Montana, focusing on themes of identity, masculinity, and the American West. We story follow the life of August, a young man who navigates the complexities of growing up amidst personal and environmental challenges. The narrative delves into his relationships with his family, particularly his father, and his journey towards self-discovery against the backdrop of a changing world. Wink's prose in Beartooth, is often described as lyrical and evocative, capturing the stark beauty of the Montana landscape. His writing style blends a deep sense of place with a keen observation for human nature. Wink's descriptions are vivid and detailed, immersing you in the setting and emotional landscape of the characters. His writing reflects a sense of authenticity and rawness, fitting the story's themes of survival and resilience. A rich tale that offers a profound exploration of personal growth and the enduring connection to the natural world, all conveyed through Wink's masterful prose and character development.

I liked the descriptive passages in this book, I could almost smell the Montana air and I really liked the characters. The two brothers Thad and Hazen live in proximity to Yellowstone Park and survive on chopping wood and selling it. They live off grid in a cabin and struggle to pay bills after the death of their father. That's it really, it's a story of survival with little plot line to follow. thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.