Once There Were Wolves - Charlotte McConaghy - 3.5 stars rounded up

[Booknblues]

I love wolves and if there is a wolf on the cover or in the title, I am likely to pick it up and quickly read it. Also having readRewilding the World: Dispatches from the Conservation Revolution, I am a fan of the whole concept of rewilding and how key species as wolves can benefit the environment.

I'd also read many excellent reviews of Charlotte McConaghy's previous novel Migrations, so I was very excited to finally read her latest, Once There Were Wolves. I went in not quite knowing what to expect other than wolves.

It is an exciting and suspenseful read with romance thrown in for good measure. The main character Inti Flynn is an expert on wolves and brings wolves to Scotland with the intention of rewilding part of the country. Inti has a rare condition called Mirror-touch synesthesia which means according to Inti:

"My brain re-creates the sensory experiences of living creatures, of all people and even sometimes animals; if I see it I feel it, and for just a moment I am them, we are one and their pain or pleasure is my own. It can seem like magic and for a long time I thought it was, but really it’s not so far removed from how other brains behave: the physiological response to witnessing someone’s pain is a cringe, a recoil, a wince. We are hardwired for empathy."

I thought that McConaghy worked this into the story quite well and it did make it quite interesting.

I used to read suspense and romantic suspense on a pretty regular basis, but I have moved away from it and don't often choose to read them. That being said, I always seem to enjoy them when I do, even though they are somewhat predictable and they are sure to have a point where one must suspend disbelief.

I do applaud McConaghy for tackling this project , because Scotland may rewild wolves.

[Booknblues]

I found a couple of articles on Scotland's plans. Let's see if the links work:

www.nathab.com/blog/bringing-wolves-b...

www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/lifestyl...

www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/scotland-vo...

[Amy]

I am watching this one closely. Here's a difficult question.... Do you think I would like it? You know how we get to know one another's tastes? Like we get a sense? What's your best guess for me?

[Booknblues]

Amy wrote: "Do you think I would like it? You know how we get to know one another's tastes? Like we get a sense? What's your best guess for me? "

There is quite a bit about nature and animals in it which I appreciated but I am not sure how much you like that, however I recall that you liked The Great Alone.

Also, like that there are issues of domestic abuse that it dealt with.

There are also interesting family dynamics which I know you appreciate.

Also, there are community issues which one might expect when wolves are introduced in an area where peoples primary livelihood is farming and specifically raising sheep. I thought this part created an interesting sub-story.

But it is in essence a romantic suspense and I'm not sure how much of those I've seen you read.

[NancyJ]

Amy wrote: "I am watching this one closely. Here's a difficult question.... Do you think I would like it? You know how we get to know one another's tastes? Like we get a sense? What's your best guess for me?"

Amy. I don't see it as your kind of book, especially because of the abuse. I think Migrations has a better chance of appealing to you, but it's more unconventional. (I was locked in within the first 5-10 minutes of the audio. You might try the audible 5 minute sample to get a brief impression.)

ETA - Oh yeah. You might like the close twin sister relationship, with the special language that one develops.