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The Wild Heavens
It all starts with an impossibly large set of tracks, footprints for a creature that could not possibly exist. The words sasquatch, bigfoot and yeti almost never occur in this novel, but that is what most people would call the hairy, nine-foot creature that would become a lifelong obsession for Aidan Fitzpatrick, and in turn, his granddaughter Sandy Langley.
The novel spans the course of single winter day, interspersed with memories from Sandy’s life—childhood days spent with her distracted, scholarly grandfather in a remote cabin in British Columbia’s interior mountains; later recollections of new motherhood; and then the tragic disappearance that would irrevocably shape the rest of her life, a day when all signs of the mysterious creature would disappear for thirty years. When the enigmatic tracks finally reappear, Sandy sets out on the trail alone, determined to find out the truth about the mystery that has shaped her life.
The Wild Heavens is an impressive and evocative debut, containing beauty, tragedy and wonder in equal parts.
The novel spans the course of single winter day, interspersed with memories from Sandy’s life—childhood days spent with her distracted, scholarly grandfather in a remote cabin in British Columbia’s interior mountains; later recollections of new motherhood; and then the tragic disappearance that would irrevocably shape the rest of her life, a day when all signs of the mysterious creature would disappear for thirty years. When the enigmatic tracks finally reappear, Sandy sets out on the trail alone, determined to find out the truth about the mystery that has shaped her life.
The Wild Heavens is an impressive and evocative debut, containing beauty, tragedy and wonder in equal parts.
272 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2020
6 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Louise Butler
4 books25 followersSarah Louise Butler is a former treeplanting cook with a degree in geography and environmental studies.
Her debut novel, The Wild Heavens, introduces an element of magic realism as it plays with the connections between the various human and non-human inhabitants of an imagined version of BC's Inland Temperate Rainforest.
Rufous and Calliope, her second novel, follows a middle-aged cartographer with a novel and early-onset form of dementia as he journeys over a rugged mountain pass toward the treehouse where he spent one memorable childhood summer on the run with his siblings.
She lives with her teenaged son in the staggeringly beautiful mountain town of Nelson, BC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 9, 2023
A beautiful book in every way. A captivating story about changes, transformations, impermanence—and the unshakeable yearning to seize the ineffable.
Physically, this volume was a joy to read, so well laid-out and seemingly designed for readers. (Isn't every book designed for readers? One would hope so, but hope in vain.)
I loved all the mentions of birds and animals, how they appear and disappear, how their tracks are ephemeral. The section about toadlets reminded me of how in my childhood there would be a day each summer when we were overrun with baby toads leaving the pond to find new homes. There was even a mention of alligator lizards, and I remembered how excited I was to discover such a creature basking in the sun in the mountains of British Columbia. An alligator!
I finished this book last night, staying up late, so my feelings are still percolating, and I don't quite know what to say. There are layers of mystery here, the interplay between past and present, and the reader is gently, teasingly, confronted with all that we do not know—the ultimate mysteries of nature and life itself.
I do know this book deserves all the stars.
Physically, this volume was a joy to read, so well laid-out and seemingly designed for readers. (Isn't every book designed for readers? One would hope so, but hope in vain.)
I loved all the mentions of birds and animals, how they appear and disappear, how their tracks are ephemeral. The section about toadlets reminded me of how in my childhood there would be a day each summer when we were overrun with baby toads leaving the pond to find new homes. There was even a mention of alligator lizards, and I remembered how excited I was to discover such a creature basking in the sun in the mountains of British Columbia. An alligator!
I finished this book last night, staying up late, so my feelings are still percolating, and I don't quite know what to say. There are layers of mystery here, the interplay between past and present, and the reader is gently, teasingly, confronted with all that we do not know—the ultimate mysteries of nature and life itself.
I do know this book deserves all the stars.
April 15, 2020
A walk in the woods like no other.
I'm grasping for words to describe Butler's debut novel--magical, ethereal, heartbreaking, heart-mending, mysterious, philosophical, whimsical, all of those all at once? Full disclosure, I was privy some early bits of the manuscript when it was still very much a work-in-progress but, even then, I was captivated and could not wait to read the finished book. The Wild Heavens did not disappoint, in fact, it far exceeded all my hopes and expectations! Worth the wait and then some.
Butler knows her wilderness and she will take you there, through her protagonist, Sandy, in awe-inducing detail. This is a story of faith, lost and found; of discovery and mystery; of grief and acceptance; of transition and transformation, all set in the most holy of churches: the forest. It is a lifetime and a single day, all at once. The language is divine and the details are perfectly rendered.
I would recommend this book any time but especially right now as so many of us are struggling with sudden, world shaking change and grieving for our old lives. Sandy's journey is ours.
Kudos to the author and let's hope for many more books to come!
I'm grasping for words to describe Butler's debut novel--magical, ethereal, heartbreaking, heart-mending, mysterious, philosophical, whimsical, all of those all at once? Full disclosure, I was privy some early bits of the manuscript when it was still very much a work-in-progress but, even then, I was captivated and could not wait to read the finished book. The Wild Heavens did not disappoint, in fact, it far exceeded all my hopes and expectations! Worth the wait and then some.
Butler knows her wilderness and she will take you there, through her protagonist, Sandy, in awe-inducing detail. This is a story of faith, lost and found; of discovery and mystery; of grief and acceptance; of transition and transformation, all set in the most holy of churches: the forest. It is a lifetime and a single day, all at once. The language is divine and the details are perfectly rendered.
I would recommend this book any time but especially right now as so many of us are struggling with sudden, world shaking change and grieving for our old lives. Sandy's journey is ours.
Kudos to the author and let's hope for many more books to come!
April 23, 2020
Wonderful read, the imagery pops off the pages. If you love nature you're sure to enjoy this. The author has a real easy way with her writing, very fluid and poetic.
April 14, 2020
This was a very enjoyable read. The characters invited me in and made me see their landscape as my own. The author’s love of all things natural was clear and refreshing. I hope to read more of her work.
January 15, 2021
I rarely buy books without first looking up the ratings and reviews on goodreads or checking out the hype about it. I like to stay on the pulse and read new and upcoming books, but I've been trying to stop reading books solely because of the hype and focus more on finding stories that intrigue me and that I think I will really like.
I love exploring local indie bookshops because the owners always have a deep love of reading and spend a lot of time crafting their inventory. I also love them because they're a great place to find Canadian lit and books by local authors. The Wild Heavens was a purchase from a pop-up bookshop that showed up in my neighbourhood over the holidays and I was immediately drawn to the cover, which is gorgeous, and then the synopsis, which is set in BC.
I loved this book. It is a classic slow burn character driven novel, which is one of my favourite kinds of books, and I adored everything about it. It's an extremely atmospheric book set in BC's interior mountains and covers most of Sandy Langley's life spent living there. Her grandfather settled in a cabin in the woods in the 1920's and after the death of her mother, Sandy is brought up by her grandfather and becomes close friends with the only other kid in a neighbourhood, a young boy named Luke.
They grow up together exploring the wilderness and eventually become privy to one of Sandy's grandfather's greatest secrets - the encounter he had with a large 2 legged creature when he was wondering the mountains in the 1920's and has spent the rest of his life trying to understand. The creature is known to Sandy as Charlie, but to the rest of us, names like Bigfoot or Sasquatch might sound more familiar.
Did I expect to fall in love with a book about Bigfoot? Definitely not, despite my intrigue at the story, the concept did sound just a little bit weird to me. But like any good book, the story is not always about what we think it will be about and even though Charlie formulates the narrative of the story, ultimately it's not really about him. Rather it's a story about growing up and growing old. It's about the ways that life will challenge us and how our early experiences shape us into the people we become. It's about finding love and losing it, the people who influence us, and the moments that make up a life - both happy and sad.
It's a totally different story, but it some ways it reminded me a little of The Great Alone, which I also love. Setting is a critical part of the story and the isolated cabin in the mountains contributes to a deeply atmospheric feel that permeates the whole novel. More than anything, setting formulates these characters and I got completely lost in the romanticism of it. I love the mountains and the forests and the lakes and the snow. Despite not having a Charlie of my own to inspire me, I understood how a sense of place influenced and motivated these characters.
It is a heartbreaking story, but the characters moved me. The plot is subtle and if you're looking for a fast paced novel, this is not it. But if you're looking for a reflection of a life lived and a place loved, pick up The Wild Heavens and get lost in the story and setting within.
I love exploring local indie bookshops because the owners always have a deep love of reading and spend a lot of time crafting their inventory. I also love them because they're a great place to find Canadian lit and books by local authors. The Wild Heavens was a purchase from a pop-up bookshop that showed up in my neighbourhood over the holidays and I was immediately drawn to the cover, which is gorgeous, and then the synopsis, which is set in BC.
I loved this book. It is a classic slow burn character driven novel, which is one of my favourite kinds of books, and I adored everything about it. It's an extremely atmospheric book set in BC's interior mountains and covers most of Sandy Langley's life spent living there. Her grandfather settled in a cabin in the woods in the 1920's and after the death of her mother, Sandy is brought up by her grandfather and becomes close friends with the only other kid in a neighbourhood, a young boy named Luke.
They grow up together exploring the wilderness and eventually become privy to one of Sandy's grandfather's greatest secrets - the encounter he had with a large 2 legged creature when he was wondering the mountains in the 1920's and has spent the rest of his life trying to understand. The creature is known to Sandy as Charlie, but to the rest of us, names like Bigfoot or Sasquatch might sound more familiar.
Did I expect to fall in love with a book about Bigfoot? Definitely not, despite my intrigue at the story, the concept did sound just a little bit weird to me. But like any good book, the story is not always about what we think it will be about and even though Charlie formulates the narrative of the story, ultimately it's not really about him. Rather it's a story about growing up and growing old. It's about the ways that life will challenge us and how our early experiences shape us into the people we become. It's about finding love and losing it, the people who influence us, and the moments that make up a life - both happy and sad.
It's a totally different story, but it some ways it reminded me a little of The Great Alone, which I also love. Setting is a critical part of the story and the isolated cabin in the mountains contributes to a deeply atmospheric feel that permeates the whole novel. More than anything, setting formulates these characters and I got completely lost in the romanticism of it. I love the mountains and the forests and the lakes and the snow. Despite not having a Charlie of my own to inspire me, I understood how a sense of place influenced and motivated these characters.
It is a heartbreaking story, but the characters moved me. The plot is subtle and if you're looking for a fast paced novel, this is not it. But if you're looking for a reflection of a life lived and a place loved, pick up The Wild Heavens and get lost in the story and setting within.
June 15, 2020
I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The publisher had indicated they thought I would enjoy the book because I had given a positve review of Swamp Angel however I found the tone and mood of the book much more similar to The Snow Child
The author's knowledge of the plants and wildlife of the interior of British Columbia immerses the reader into the character's world. The magical realism aspect of the story is melded into the scientific and spiritual that the reader is pulled into this world and becomes a believer.
The story weaves back and forth between past and present, and there were a few times I had to reread the opening paragraph of a chapter to figure out where in time the story was, this may be a problem if listening to an audio version of the book.
Ultimately it is a story of family, relationships, loss, hope and survival. Although the ending I was hoping for never came.
The publisher had indicated they thought I would enjoy the book because I had given a positve review of Swamp Angel however I found the tone and mood of the book much more similar to The Snow Child
The author's knowledge of the plants and wildlife of the interior of British Columbia immerses the reader into the character's world. The magical realism aspect of the story is melded into the scientific and spiritual that the reader is pulled into this world and becomes a believer.
The story weaves back and forth between past and present, and there were a few times I had to reread the opening paragraph of a chapter to figure out where in time the story was, this may be a problem if listening to an audio version of the book.
Ultimately it is a story of family, relationships, loss, hope and survival. Although the ending I was hoping for never came.
May 21, 2020
This debut novel by Sarah Butler is magical and beautiful. The story draws you in, as does her descriptions of the setting. She clearly loves the natural world - and if didn’t before, you likely will too after reading this book. If you enjoy fantastic character development, a bit of mystery and magic, great sentences, and a good story, you will enjoy this book. I usually gobble up books like this but I ‘rationed’ myself to four short chapters a night so I could live in the story a little bit longer.
January 26, 2021
“The Wild Heavens” is an absolute gem. Sandy wakes up from a dream of her lost husband. She is alone, in the secluded cabin in British Columbia’s interior where she was raised by her grandfather. She steps outside. Traversing the snow in front of her cabin are impossibly large, human-like tracks, footprints of a creature she, and her grandfather before her, have searched their entire lives for. Sandy sets off on the creature’s trail alone. Taking place over the course of a single day and interspersed with memories of Sandy’s childhood, first love, and motherhood, Sandy must reconcile the events of her life which the search for this creature has shaped and defined. This book is part mystery, part coming of age story, part suspense, and overwhelmingly a love letter to the nature and beauty of British Columbia. The writing is lovely and atmospheric (I started this book at the lake and it was the PERFECT cabin read - I could feel and hear how the snow felt, how it sounded etc. based on the writing). I loved how Butler slowly revealed little clues about the mysterious creature (a Sasquatch or “Charlie” as the characters refer to it). I loved Sandy’s story, her grapples with grief, loneliness, and perseverance. Her grandfather and neighbour, Luke, are also wonderfully drawn characters. By the end of the novel I was teary and emotional - the mystery and the conclusions the reader must draw about Charlie (brought full circle to moments at the beginning of the novel) are poignant and touching. I don’t think this book is for everyone, given how technical some of the descriptions are (you may have to google what some trees, birds, & plants are) but if you enjoy nature, Canada’s wilderness, rich storytelling, and a bit of mysterious legend mixed into all that, you will love this beautiful debut novel.
January 31, 2021
This is a beautifully written book, set in the wilds of Northern BC – and the descriptions of nature and the wildlife are certainly an amazing reason to read this book. It takes place over the course of a day, with reflections back into Sandy’s life and childhood, creating a dual timeline.
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Sandy’s grandfather had seen a sasquatch years ago and has been on the lookout for it ever since, instilling the same curiosity in his granddaughter, Sandy. This is a meander tale of their lives in an isolated cabin in the wilderness, how nature and the sasquatch has shaped them.
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The relationships in the book are lovely and well done – parents, children, friends, lovers – they are all authentically done. The author managed to explore a wide range of humanity with a very few characters. I really felt for Sandy and her quest to find the sasquatch and the life she wants to live, watching her come into her own.
.
There is a mystical aspect to the book, revolving around the sasquatch, but also around nature itself, which is a character in itself. The descriptions are lush and beautiful and well worth reading for any nature lover.
.
Thanks so Edelweiss and the publisher for the review copy.
.
Sandy’s grandfather had seen a sasquatch years ago and has been on the lookout for it ever since, instilling the same curiosity in his granddaughter, Sandy. This is a meander tale of their lives in an isolated cabin in the wilderness, how nature and the sasquatch has shaped them.
.
The relationships in the book are lovely and well done – parents, children, friends, lovers – they are all authentically done. The author managed to explore a wide range of humanity with a very few characters. I really felt for Sandy and her quest to find the sasquatch and the life she wants to live, watching her come into her own.
.
There is a mystical aspect to the book, revolving around the sasquatch, but also around nature itself, which is a character in itself. The descriptions are lush and beautiful and well worth reading for any nature lover.
.
Thanks so Edelweiss and the publisher for the review copy.
May 24, 2020
I think the most wonderful books start with beautifully designed opening sentences. This book has such a start and had me from that first moment. I felt the cold, heard the stillness, and wondered at those footprints.
The prose feels like poetry in that the reader is sent off in different directions with each perfect sentence. It is beautiful literature. It is so much more than any of the other books I’ve read in more years than I care to admit. I don’t mean that I am vain about my age, but that I’ve been let down by the publishing companies for so long. It’s gratifying that Douglas & McIntyre at least has given us such a gift.
I’m sure that we will hear from Butler for years.
The prose feels like poetry in that the reader is sent off in different directions with each perfect sentence. It is beautiful literature. It is so much more than any of the other books I’ve read in more years than I care to admit. I don’t mean that I am vain about my age, but that I’ve been let down by the publishing companies for so long. It’s gratifying that Douglas & McIntyre at least has given us such a gift.
I’m sure that we will hear from Butler for years.
August 4, 2020
I feel like the promotional description of this book does it a grave disservice. It makes it sound like a goofy Sasquatch mystery but in truth it’s a beautiful, beautiful exploration of the beauty and naturalness of change and transformation, even when it devastates us, and the enduring wisdom of nature and our place in it. I loved the book and found it profoundly moving.
August 2, 2020
What a beauty of a book. I live in the region that the author writes about (and also lives in), and the wonderfully wild smells, sights, and sounds of this place are potently bursting from the pages at every turn. Bravo!
August 21, 2020
Oh my goodness! Great book. Full of mystical symbolism. Sometimes whimsical but always to the point.
The book cuts back and forth between the present and the past but it’s easy to follow as it’s almost entirely from the narrator’s point of view: even when speaking of her grandfather and his early life and his lifelong obsession.
The prose is descriptive without being “too much”. You feel like you’re experiencing the landscape and the smell of the forest yourself.
I need to find discussion questions for book club as I’ll be recommending this one for sure for the Banff Book Discussion Weekend. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was chosen in the near future. Even if not, it’ll be one I’ll be sharing with mine.
Discussion points - grief and loss and the difference at different stages of your life (as a child, a young wife and mother, in middle age; for family, friends, pets...); how our perceptions and way we deal with the struggles of life change how we walk through our life (strong symbolism for this); mystical legends vs. reality; the difference between the joy children experiencing nature and the continued joy experienced later in life... Anyone else think of anything?
The book cuts back and forth between the present and the past but it’s easy to follow as it’s almost entirely from the narrator’s point of view: even when speaking of her grandfather and his early life and his lifelong obsession.
The prose is descriptive without being “too much”. You feel like you’re experiencing the landscape and the smell of the forest yourself.
I need to find discussion questions for book club as I’ll be recommending this one for sure for the Banff Book Discussion Weekend. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was chosen in the near future. Even if not, it’ll be one I’ll be sharing with mine.
Discussion points - grief and loss and the difference at different stages of your life (as a child, a young wife and mother, in middle age; for family, friends, pets...); how our perceptions and way we deal with the struggles of life change how we walk through our life (strong symbolism for this); mystical legends vs. reality; the difference between the joy children experiencing nature and the continued joy experienced later in life... Anyone else think of anything?
August 21, 2020
I feel like the GoodReads description of this book doesn't really do it justice. Sure, Bigfoot is in there, but it is there as a tool for the main character, Sandy, to experience the beauty of her childhood cabin, woods, trails, and lake. The language in here does a great job of creating the imagery of the Canadian wilderness and describing the importance of family in her life, as well as laying out the main theme of the book: transformation, throughout life, is constant. While it can be tragic, it is beautiful as well. Well written, and well worth the read.
September 10, 2020
I read this book and thought it was quite beautiful. It's very hard to describe. It's a slow and meditative book, set around Nelson, BC, an area I love.
The main character, Sandy, is walking and she remembers scenes from her childhood. Her grandfather knows that there is a sasquatch in the mountains. He has seen it. But this is not a book about a sasquatch. It's about nature, and love and grief and wonder, and loss.
If you like contemplative fiction that's heavy on the natural world, you might like this.
The main character, Sandy, is walking and she remembers scenes from her childhood. Her grandfather knows that there is a sasquatch in the mountains. He has seen it. But this is not a book about a sasquatch. It's about nature, and love and grief and wonder, and loss.
If you like contemplative fiction that's heavy on the natural world, you might like this.
July 10, 2020
Sarah Butler has crafted a beautiful story, rich in descriptions of the natural world of southeastern British Columbia. This natural world is deftly interwoven with the gorgeous and at times heart breaking depictions of family, first love, parenthood, and loss. And with just the perfect amount of supernatural legend threading itself through the story and pulling us along. A fantastic debut that makes me eager to read more from this author in the coming years.
February 17, 2021
The best part of the book is the vivid and immersive descriptions of the natural surrounding. Overall, the story weaves back and forth through time, slowly pulling you forward—a good debut novel suited for nature lovers.
June 14, 2020
The book was evocative on many levels and kept me engrossed but in the end I was left wanting a more satisfying conclusion.
July 12, 2020
A superb read that transport readers to the most beautiful, wild place one can imagine.
September 2, 2020
The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is the ending was far too predictable. Otherwise beautiful.
November 6, 2021
I liked everything about this book except the romance and the ending.
Good stuff
The descriptive writing and imagery in this book was pretty good, but as someone who hasn’t studied nature or birds a lot of it went over my head.
Book also reminded me of Anne of Green Gables in the descriptions and the child povs.
there was also no solid plot (which I found refreshing, much like I’m Catcher in the Rye).
I loved the switches between past and present, as it gave more meaning to what was happening etc.
I also loved the scientific/mystical dialogue, very interesting to read about.
Stuff i didn’t like
the romance in this book was really underwhelming for me. There was no like build up or like progression. It felt very rushed and I would have liked to see a bit more of the actual switch between friends and lovers. What did they actually like about each other? Why did the relationship work? Also the pet names in this book were just no
The ending felt just weird. It didn’t feel like it ended on an actual note, or maybe I just missed the entire point of it? It wasn’t satisfying for me but it could have just completely gone over my head to be fair.
To conclude,
I think this book was pretty good, especially for a first book. There were things that I felt could have been improved but in general this was a very good book.
Good stuff
The descriptive writing and imagery in this book was pretty good, but as someone who hasn’t studied nature or birds a lot of it went over my head.
Book also reminded me of Anne of Green Gables in the descriptions and the child povs.
there was also no solid plot (which I found refreshing, much like I’m Catcher in the Rye).
I loved the switches between past and present, as it gave more meaning to what was happening etc.
I also loved the scientific/mystical dialogue, very interesting to read about.
Stuff i didn’t like
the romance in this book was really underwhelming for me. There was no like build up or like progression. It felt very rushed and I would have liked to see a bit more of the actual switch between friends and lovers. What did they actually like about each other? Why did the relationship work? Also the pet names in this book were just no
The ending felt just weird. It didn’t feel like it ended on an actual note, or maybe I just missed the entire point of it? It wasn’t satisfying for me but it could have just completely gone over my head to be fair.
To conclude,
I think this book was pretty good, especially for a first book. There were things that I felt could have been improved but in general this was a very good book.
August 22, 2022
No review I could write would do this beautiful novel justice.
The story ultimately is told from the perspective of Sandy for most of the novel. That laser-focus allows for a concentrated experience of the characters that sprinkle the narrative.
You care for the characters. Their triumphs & tragedies become yours. This book will seep under your skin. I’m absolutely flabbergasted that this is a first-time novelist. I will be paying attention to any future works from the author. And, if there are no follow-ups, she has left us with a stark, stunningly composed, treasure.
The story ultimately is told from the perspective of Sandy for most of the novel. That laser-focus allows for a concentrated experience of the characters that sprinkle the narrative.
You care for the characters. Their triumphs & tragedies become yours. This book will seep under your skin. I’m absolutely flabbergasted that this is a first-time novelist. I will be paying attention to any future works from the author. And, if there are no follow-ups, she has left us with a stark, stunningly composed, treasure.
November 2, 2025
Loved it! The two timelines worked well. I couldn't put it down.
February 27, 2021
Loved the descriptions of the plants and land.
September 21, 2025
for all who grieve . for all who are restless
February 9, 2021
Loved the descriptions of nature in this book and it really made me want to go live in a cabin in the forest. The story was captivating but I wish it had a bit more character development.
February 7, 2021
Achingly beautiful and tenderly written.
May 28, 2020
The publisher sent a copy to me because I liked “The Shape Of Water,” so I guess I was unfairly expecting a book similar in tone. I was wrong, and so was she for sending it to me. I am certainly NOT the audience for this particular book. I’m not that nuts about the minutiae of the lives of f’ing every single kind of bird imaginable in the forests of B.C; you REALLY got to be into birds to enjoy this book. 😳 I’m much too cynical a person to enjoy reading about somebody tracking Bigfoot for 40+ years and (spoiler alert) BIGFOOT NEVER SHOWS UP! The whole premise of the book is highly improbable; the girl is homeschooled by her Grandfather in a remote cabin and the only other person she sees she ends up falling in love and marrying, the boy she grew up next to. There is really scant dialogue throughout the novel, which is a good thing, judging by the way the author has the Grandpa talking; like the Grandpa from the Waltons back in the 1930’s....”Forgive an old man’s musings, Sandy,” he says to his 10 year old granddaughter. 😳 SMH. I’m sorry, y’all. I really wanted to love this book ‘cause it was FREE and I thought it was a window opening up to all these free novels publishers would be sending, clamoring for little ole me to review. I am an unrepentant book whore, btw. I’m left here thinking, “How can a novel about BIGFOOT end up being SO mind numbingly BORING?” I loved “The Shape Of Water” and even bought into the concept of “Creature-of-the-Black Lagoon” fish sex, so I am totally into suspending my disbelief, believe me. But when I got to the end of “The Wild Heavens,” the only disbelief I had was, “That’s IT? THAT’S the ending of the book?” 🤔The publisher’s blurbs were all about implying some kind of mystical experience I’d get from reading this book, which I DID get from “SOW,” but the only experience I came away with here was disappointment. The author would have better spent her time publishing a book about BIRDS. With PICTURES. Of BIRDS. I’ll give her this; she REALLY knows A LOT about BIRDS.
May 5, 2021
As a lover of nature, I have been captivated by the premise of The Wild Heavens since first reading about it. This is an exquisitely descriptive, character driven novel that kept me turning the pages with a shadow of the gnawing, obsessive feeling the characters experience when following those mysterious footprints in the snow. The Wild Heavens is also a story about family, faith, love, and transition, with philosophical, scientific, and spiritual insights sprinkled throughout the novel.
Sarah Louise Butler's writing is magical and ethereal, capturing the beauty of the natural world and highlighting its parallels to humanity. Both contain multitudes; joy and devastation, life and death, known and unknown. We are not separate from the environment, and in many ways, we hold no power over it. The mountains of British Columbia and the concept of a sasquatch both impose a towering presence that dwarfs the individual and reminds us of our small place in the universe. We are both blessed to stand in awe of its wonder and at the mercy of these "wild heavens."
This is a book for you if you love:
-To be transported to stunning settings when you read, like the Canadian wilderness
-Descriptive, character driven, contemplative writing
-A bit of mystery and magic in the periphery of a story
Sarah Louise Butler's writing is magical and ethereal, capturing the beauty of the natural world and highlighting its parallels to humanity. Both contain multitudes; joy and devastation, life and death, known and unknown. We are not separate from the environment, and in many ways, we hold no power over it. The mountains of British Columbia and the concept of a sasquatch both impose a towering presence that dwarfs the individual and reminds us of our small place in the universe. We are both blessed to stand in awe of its wonder and at the mercy of these "wild heavens."
This is a book for you if you love:
-To be transported to stunning settings when you read, like the Canadian wilderness
-Descriptive, character driven, contemplative writing
-A bit of mystery and magic in the periphery of a story
July 16, 2020
I am not a huge fan of fiction and definitely not a fan of fantasy fiction. I am glad that I didn't let my resistance to either of those stop me from reading this beautiful work. I ordered it because it was recommended on a CBC summer book list and I thought I'd try something different. I was blown away by the beauty of the prose and the depth of conveyance for the magic and wonder of living amidst nature in a rural location. It reminded me of Mary Oliver's gift for channeling the natural world into words. I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews