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Beartooth
Two brothers in dire straits, living on the edge of Yellowstone, agree to a desperate act of survival.
In an aging timber house hand-built into the Absaroka-Beartooth mountains, two brothers are struggling to keep up with their debts. They live off the grid on the fringe of Yellowstone, surviving after the death of their father. Thad, the elder, is more capable of engaging with things like the truck registration and the medical bills from their father’s fatal illness and the tax lien on the cabin their grandfather built, while Hazen is... different, more instinctual, deeply attuned to the natural world. Desperate for money, they are approached by a shadowy out-of-towner with a proposition and agree to attempt a heist of natural resources from Yellowstone, a federal crime. Beartooth is a fast-paced tale set in the grandeur of the American West.
In an aging timber house hand-built into the Absaroka-Beartooth mountains, two brothers are struggling to keep up with their debts. They live off the grid on the fringe of Yellowstone, surviving after the death of their father. Thad, the elder, is more capable of engaging with things like the truck registration and the medical bills from their father’s fatal illness and the tax lien on the cabin their grandfather built, while Hazen is... different, more instinctual, deeply attuned to the natural world. Desperate for money, they are approached by a shadowy out-of-towner with a proposition and agree to attempt a heist of natural resources from Yellowstone, a federal crime. Beartooth is a fast-paced tale set in the grandeur of the American West.
286 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 11, 2025
About the author
Callan Wink
7 books142 followersCallan Wink is the author of the novels Beartooth and August and the story collection Dog Run Moon. He has been awarded fellowships by the National Endowment for the Arts and Stanford University, where he was a Wallace Stegner Fellow. His stories and essays appear widely, including in The New Yorker, Granta, Playboy, Men’s Journal and The Best American Short Stories Anthology. He works as a fly fishing guide on the Yellowstone River in Montana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 13, 2024
Big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.
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.
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.
November 15, 2023
i could smell this book
July 2, 2024
People say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover but I'm not at all ashamed to say that I requested an ARC of this from the publisher entirely based on the cover art and the title. I don't think I even read the blurb before I asked for it, so let's read it together now:
I won't bury the lede here. I really loved Beartooth, and it's a strong contender for my favourite book so far this year.
I'm a very fast trader generally, and this is a relatively short book, so I expected to rattle through it. The blurb promises a "fast-paced tale" but I didn't find that to be the case (which sounds like a criticism, but it isn't). There's a quality to Wink's writing, and to the sprawling, verdant setting, that almost demands you slow down and drink it in. I found myself stopping for a few minutes after each section to sit and reflect on what I'd just read before carrying on, which is not something I generally do when I'm reading.
Despite being a novel about adult men this feels like a coming-of-age story in a lot of ways. Thad begins the novel as an elder brother acting almost as a surrogate father to his younger brother, their actual father dead and their mother absent. He's dealing with debts, with trying to keep the house standing, with making sure that they have enough money to eat, with making sure that they both keep working. But it's all too much, and he's on the verge of becoming "worn out", something his father always warned him against. After their heist doesn't pan out the way they expect it to he retreats into himself, shutting himself away from the world and entering a sort of hibernation that sees him almost regress to childhood. And it's through this regression that his brother is finally allowed to step out from under his shadow and to start carving his own path - a path that leads him away from Thad, ultimately. By the time Thad finally emerges from his hibernation it's as a transformed man who, maybe, is finally ready to join the world in ways he never has before.
Wink's prose is fantastic, painting his world in small details that add up to a much larger whole. His characters feel alive, ready to stride off the page, and the relationship between Thad and his brother feels real and complex and honest. We don't spend much time with Hazen but I really felt like I knew him and understood him - possibly better than his brother understood him - despite that.
The publisher lists this under "Mystery & Thrillers" and I suppose that that's true, in that the plot concerns itself with a criminal act and the subsequent fallout from it, including an act of extreme violence that the entire narrative hinges around. But we never actually see the violence, only the consequences of it, and the heist is slow and measured and undertaker in the depths of night with nobody else around. It's the quietest thriller I've ever read. Much like the relationships that Wink develops, much of what's important here happens off the page, but we understand enough to be able to piece it together ourselves.
This one doesn't come out until February next year, but I'll definitely be picking up a physical copy when it lands.
Two brothers in dire straits, living on the edge of Yellowstone, agree to a desperate act of survival in this taut, propulsive novel reminiscent of the works of Cormac McCarthy and Donald Ray Pollock.
In an aging, timber house hand-built into the Absaroka-Beartooth mountains, two brothers are struggling to keep up with their debts. They live off the grid, on the fringe of Yellowstone, surviving off the wild after the death of their father. Thad, the elder, is more capable of engaging with things like the truck registration, or the medical bills they can’t afford from their father’s fatal illness, or the tax lien on the cabin their grandfather built, while Hazen is . . . different, more instinctual, deeply in tune with the natural world.
Desperate for money, they are approached by a shadowy out-of-towner with a proposition, and the brothers agree to attempt a heist of natural resources from Yellowstone, a federal crime. Beartooth is a fast-paced tale with moments of surprising poignancy set in the grandeur of the American West. Evoking the timeless voices of American pastoral storytelling, this is a bracing, masterful novel about survival, revenge, and the bond between brothers.
I won't bury the lede here. I really loved Beartooth, and it's a strong contender for my favourite book so far this year.
I'm a very fast trader generally, and this is a relatively short book, so I expected to rattle through it. The blurb promises a "fast-paced tale" but I didn't find that to be the case (which sounds like a criticism, but it isn't). There's a quality to Wink's writing, and to the sprawling, verdant setting, that almost demands you slow down and drink it in. I found myself stopping for a few minutes after each section to sit and reflect on what I'd just read before carrying on, which is not something I generally do when I'm reading.
Despite being a novel about adult men this feels like a coming-of-age story in a lot of ways. Thad begins the novel as an elder brother acting almost as a surrogate father to his younger brother, their actual father dead and their mother absent. He's dealing with debts, with trying to keep the house standing, with making sure that they have enough money to eat, with making sure that they both keep working. But it's all too much, and he's on the verge of becoming "worn out", something his father always warned him against. After their heist doesn't pan out the way they expect it to he retreats into himself, shutting himself away from the world and entering a sort of hibernation that sees him almost regress to childhood. And it's through this regression that his brother is finally allowed to step out from under his shadow and to start carving his own path - a path that leads him away from Thad, ultimately. By the time Thad finally emerges from his hibernation it's as a transformed man who, maybe, is finally ready to join the world in ways he never has before.
Wink's prose is fantastic, painting his world in small details that add up to a much larger whole. His characters feel alive, ready to stride off the page, and the relationship between Thad and his brother feels real and complex and honest. We don't spend much time with Hazen but I really felt like I knew him and understood him - possibly better than his brother understood him - despite that.
The publisher lists this under "Mystery & Thrillers" and I suppose that that's true, in that the plot concerns itself with a criminal act and the subsequent fallout from it, including an act of extreme violence that the entire narrative hinges around. But we never actually see the violence, only the consequences of it, and the heist is slow and measured and undertaker in the depths of night with nobody else around. It's the quietest thriller I've ever read. Much like the relationships that Wink develops, much of what's important here happens off the page, but we understand enough to be able to piece it together ourselves.
This one doesn't come out until February next year, but I'll definitely be picking up a physical copy when it lands.
July 2, 2024
Two brothers, Thad and Hazen, are alone in hill country after their father dies. They must learn how to survive financially without losing their deteriorating home. Thad is a year older than Hazen, and he tries to guide his younger, impulsive brother. The brothers cut and sell wood to people throughout the valley, but it's not enough to settle the mounting bills to pay for their father's hospitalization and the taxes coming due on the property. Desperate to make more money, the brothers agree to go into Yellowstone National Park to gather elk antlers for the Scot, a known killer, to sell illegally. Easier said than done. The Scot advances cash for them to buy inflatable rafts to haul the antlers down the river and out of the park after they spend several days camping, gathering, and loading the antlers that the elk had shed. Coming back from their heist, they are spotted by park rangers and try to outrun them but fail. Thad suffers a severe injury and is potentially bleeding to death. Hazen dumps the antlers into the river. The rangers spot them again, but this time, Hazen calls out for help, and the rangers get Thad to a hospital.
Author Callan Wink is a skilled writer and weaves in other characters seamlessly. Much more than the straightforward plot described above, this becomes a tale of how Thad slowly recovers from his injuries and how the two brothers grow apart. As he heals, Thad begins to imagine another future for himself.
I can see this leading to a sequel and possibly to a movie. Yes, this story is that good!
Author Callan Wink is a skilled writer and weaves in other characters seamlessly. Much more than the straightforward plot described above, this becomes a tale of how Thad slowly recovers from his injuries and how the two brothers grow apart. As he heals, Thad begins to imagine another future for himself.
I can see this leading to a sequel and possibly to a movie. Yes, this story is that good!
August 3, 2024
I initially thought this book might be a slow or difficult read for me, but I really got hooked quickly by the two main characters, Thad and Hazen. I became immediately curious and invested in the two brothers and the other characters that are introduced. The scene descriptions and development of the plot kept me hooked and I finished the book in a day. I can definitely see this being made into a film someday and hope the author considers a second book to bring us back to these characters.
August 15, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4
“He realized for the first time that acute aloneness has something of a presence. His lonely was dark as a shadow, and it sat there drinking coffee with him, a silent companion.”
The first thing I will mention about this book is how beautiful the writing is. It was so descriptive and painted the picture of this landscape so beautifully. You could almost hear the sounds of the woods, the chirps of the birds, and could feel the turning of the seasons as this story progressed.
This was definitely a story centered on the characters, especially the relationship of the two brothers, Thad and Hazen. This was a deep story of a bond between two brothers who faced so much hardship and how they came together, and sometimes fell apart, in the midst of survival after their father’s death and their mother’s absence. It was a story of evolution as the seasons changed and chaos surrounded their home. I loved exploring this bond and what became of the brothers in the face of adversity.
I will say, sometimes the descriptive writing took away from the plot and could’ve been cut down in some areas, but it wasn’t a major dislike for me. It just made the story drag in some areas, and for a book that was so short, it stretched the story longer than I felt was necessary. I did feel the plot was a little unfinished but overall, I thought this was a beautiful read. I really enjoyed the authors writing and look forward to picking up more from him in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“He realized for the first time that acute aloneness has something of a presence. His lonely was dark as a shadow, and it sat there drinking coffee with him, a silent companion.”
The first thing I will mention about this book is how beautiful the writing is. It was so descriptive and painted the picture of this landscape so beautifully. You could almost hear the sounds of the woods, the chirps of the birds, and could feel the turning of the seasons as this story progressed.
This was definitely a story centered on the characters, especially the relationship of the two brothers, Thad and Hazen. This was a deep story of a bond between two brothers who faced so much hardship and how they came together, and sometimes fell apart, in the midst of survival after their father’s death and their mother’s absence. It was a story of evolution as the seasons changed and chaos surrounded their home. I loved exploring this bond and what became of the brothers in the face of adversity.
I will say, sometimes the descriptive writing took away from the plot and could’ve been cut down in some areas, but it wasn’t a major dislike for me. It just made the story drag in some areas, and for a book that was so short, it stretched the story longer than I felt was necessary. I did feel the plot was a little unfinished but overall, I thought this was a beautiful read. I really enjoyed the authors writing and look forward to picking up more from him in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2024
An intriguing character-driven story of two brothers trying to make ends meet in rural Montana. After the death of their father and a heap of medical bills, Thad and Hazen are struggling. Work is sporadic and the home their father so lovingly maintained is falling apart. When a notorious local businessman makes Thad and Hazen an offer (or is it a threat?), the brothers embark on a risky journey.
The writing is lovely and immersive and both Thad and Hazen are mysterious and compelling characters. Overall, this is an entertaining and, at times, thrilling read.
Thank you to Spiegel & Grau and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.
The writing is lovely and immersive and both Thad and Hazen are mysterious and compelling characters. Overall, this is an entertaining and, at times, thrilling read.
Thank you to Spiegel & Grau and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.
June 22, 2024
HUGE thank you to netgalley for this arc!!! i absolutely devoured it and my western heart appreciates your generosity.
beartooth. an apt name for this upcoming novel by callan wink, not just in location but in imagery. a bear’s average bite force is strong enough to crush a bowling ball, and that’s how reading this book feels. fast, visceral, gut-punchy. i felt this deeply as a coloradan, living an hour from the rocky mountains, and as an older brother trying to do best by my little brother. some of the language was perhaps veering towards insensitive, and the end felt a bit rushed, but overall it’s a sound novel and a beautifully crafted thriller.
beartooth. an apt name for this upcoming novel by callan wink, not just in location but in imagery. a bear’s average bite force is strong enough to crush a bowling ball, and that’s how reading this book feels. fast, visceral, gut-punchy. i felt this deeply as a coloradan, living an hour from the rocky mountains, and as an older brother trying to do best by my little brother. some of the language was perhaps veering towards insensitive, and the end felt a bit rushed, but overall it’s a sound novel and a beautifully crafted thriller.
August 22, 2024
Two brothers Thad and Hazen, scratch out a living off the land in the wilderness of Montana.
Callan Wink’s descriptive language takes you so close to the wilds you can almost smell the sweat, chopped wood and buffalo carcasses.
In the heist to take antlers out of Yellowstone, the tension is palpable as the brothers battle to get down river past the Park Rangers!
It’s 5 stars from me and another author added to my must read list!
Callan Wink’s descriptive language takes you so close to the wilds you can almost smell the sweat, chopped wood and buffalo carcasses.
In the heist to take antlers out of Yellowstone, the tension is palpable as the brothers battle to get down river past the Park Rangers!
It’s 5 stars from me and another author added to my must read list!
August 8, 2024
"The smell of a bear, Thad thought, had the flavor of nightmare about it," this quote alone was enough to draw me into the world of brothers Thad and Hazen in the woods of Montana. While grieving the loss of their father, the brothers struggle to make enough money to keep their family home and legacy alive. All hope seems lost, until they meet a Scottish thug and his younger female companion, offering them a way out of debt. While the gig is risky, Thad, being the voice of reason, devises a plan to keep him and his reckless younger brother out of trouble in more ways than one.
I was captivated by the vivid details of the Montana wilderness that Callan captures in his writing. You can really see, smell, and taste the vast expanse of Yellowstone through the eyes of the characters. I also appreciated the grit and determination of the brothers to keep one another safe, and the delicate and complicated relationship with their mom, Sacajawea.
I only wish there was a tidier ending to the business with the Scot, as it seemed to be such an integral part of the story. The ending felt a little unfinished, but that may have been intentional so the reader could infer or choose their own conclusion. Overall though, I really enjoyed this read.
I was captivated by the vivid details of the Montana wilderness that Callan captures in his writing. You can really see, smell, and taste the vast expanse of Yellowstone through the eyes of the characters. I also appreciated the grit and determination of the brothers to keep one another safe, and the delicate and complicated relationship with their mom, Sacajawea.
I only wish there was a tidier ending to the business with the Scot, as it seemed to be such an integral part of the story. The ending felt a little unfinished, but that may have been intentional so the reader could infer or choose their own conclusion. Overall though, I really enjoyed this read.
August 12, 2024
I won this book off of Goodreads (hooray and thank you!). The author truly painted a scene in which I could visualize the whole story. It felt beautiful and provided a zen that the city I live in, does not offer. However, not exactly sure what the authors focus on the story was. Random tales of brothers who live near the woods? Overall it was just “alright”.
August 22, 2024
I really enjoyed Beartooth! It was full of humor, messy family drama, and suspense. It felt like I was reading a TV show. Great characters, believable and relatable family dynamics, and layered into a suspenseful story. Will definitely read the next book by this author!
July 30, 2024
Loved all the descriptions of nature, it really felt like I was there, and it made for a very atmospheric read.
Plot wise I felt it lacked a little, or maybe it's just more of a character study, I definitely liked Thad and the way he thought about his family, life, and towards the end, his future.
Perfect book for a winter's evening, in front of a fire.
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.
Plot wise I felt it lacked a little, or maybe it's just more of a character study, I definitely liked Thad and the way he thought about his family, life, and towards the end, his future.
Perfect book for a winter's evening, in front of a fire.
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.
July 29, 2024
Appreciation to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for access to this digital ARC in return for an honest review.
Want to get lost in the Montana mountains? Enjoy a Wes Anderson-esque journey with two brothers who are lost in the wake of the death of their father and although ripe with survival skills, lack social and applicable job skills. You'll feel the heat from the guts of a bear being processed in the woods, the fear of being in a national forest at night, and the dangerously slow passing of the seasons in a harsh climate.
Through the lens of the elder brother you get to know a unique family of characters who all are dealing with grief in their own way, but struggle to communicate. He takes on the duty of provider for his younger brother and you watch as it slowly takes a toll on not only his mental health, but physical body. As the brothers plot to provide for themselves and fulfill their basic needs, their plans fall apart, keeping you intrigued to see what else can possibly go wrong.
Want to get lost in the Montana mountains? Enjoy a Wes Anderson-esque journey with two brothers who are lost in the wake of the death of their father and although ripe with survival skills, lack social and applicable job skills. You'll feel the heat from the guts of a bear being processed in the woods, the fear of being in a national forest at night, and the dangerously slow passing of the seasons in a harsh climate.
Through the lens of the elder brother you get to know a unique family of characters who all are dealing with grief in their own way, but struggle to communicate. He takes on the duty of provider for his younger brother and you watch as it slowly takes a toll on not only his mental health, but physical body. As the brothers plot to provide for themselves and fulfill their basic needs, their plans fall apart, keeping you intrigued to see what else can possibly go wrong.
July 24, 2024
This was my first ever ARC - thanks NetGalley, S&G, and Callan Wink! :)
I enjoyed this book so much. I've never spent any time out west, but I've never been transported to a place so vividly as I was while reading this - Wink's descriptive imagery is truly breathtaking. (I also never thought I would be so intrigued to read about the inner organs of a bear being cut away and pulled at by hand, but here we are.)
I loved the rawness of Thad and Hazen's sibling dynamic and appreciated the complexity of their stories respectively and together as brothers. I did think the ending conflict was a bit abrupt, and I selfishly wanted a better conclusion, but I can also accept that it was realistic and that we don't always get a satisfying answer to strange & traumatic things that happen in real life. That life just... goes on.
All in all it made me want to move out to the mountains and live off the grid in the tranquility of nature (minus the federal crimes and bear guts).
I enjoyed this book so much. I've never spent any time out west, but I've never been transported to a place so vividly as I was while reading this - Wink's descriptive imagery is truly breathtaking. (I also never thought I would be so intrigued to read about the inner organs of a bear being cut away and pulled at by hand, but here we are.)
I loved the rawness of Thad and Hazen's sibling dynamic and appreciated the complexity of their stories respectively and together as brothers. I did think the ending conflict was a bit abrupt, and I selfishly wanted a better conclusion, but I can also accept that it was realistic and that we don't always get a satisfying answer to strange & traumatic things that happen in real life. That life just... goes on.
All in all it made me want to move out to the mountains and live off the grid in the tranquility of nature (minus the federal crimes and bear guts).
July 25, 2024
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for the ARC of this book! I’m landing on a 4.75 star rating rounded up. Beartooth was basically everything I could have wanted in a gritty backcountry tale. The imagery in this book is absolutely stellar. Very atmospheric and visceral without being over the top. I felt like I was stomping around the damp leaves and twigs right alongside Thad and Hazen. In some ways, this book was really relaxing. There was a somber sort of energy throughout the story that was almost meditative. The quiet exploration of characters amidst the backdrop of a beautiful and brutal land was captivating and also quite realistic. I did feel pretty stressed for our boys at times! The looming financial situation combined with one of the more unique heist plots I’ve come across definitely drives the story forward. I’m excited to read more from Callan Wink.
July 25, 2024
4.5 stars
When hard times fall upon two brothers in rural Montana, they must put everything on the line in an effort to find a brighter future.
Beartooth is fast-paced and I couldn’t put it down. I was engaged and eager to see how all of the different situations would resolve. I would read a sequel in a heartbeat! Lastly, it is one of the most beautifully descriptive books I’ve ever read. It made me want to pack up everything I own and move to a remote patch of land.
“In the fall, the red and gold and copper of the streamside alders and cottonwoods and willows were reflected in the spawning colors of the brown trout. It was almost enough to instill some sort of faith in a creator, some sort of guiding hand, an artist with a limited palette.”
Thank you to Spiegel & Grau and NetGalley for this advanced copy.
When hard times fall upon two brothers in rural Montana, they must put everything on the line in an effort to find a brighter future.
Beartooth is fast-paced and I couldn’t put it down. I was engaged and eager to see how all of the different situations would resolve. I would read a sequel in a heartbeat! Lastly, it is one of the most beautifully descriptive books I’ve ever read. It made me want to pack up everything I own and move to a remote patch of land.
“In the fall, the red and gold and copper of the streamside alders and cottonwoods and willows were reflected in the spawning colors of the brown trout. It was almost enough to instill some sort of faith in a creator, some sort of guiding hand, an artist with a limited palette.”
Thank you to Spiegel & Grau and NetGalley for this advanced copy.
July 18, 2024
A very well written story about two brothers, Thad and Hazen, living in Montana and the lengths they go to in order to survive. The descriptive details really made me want to visit Montana. It left me with a lot of questions about Hazen that I wanted answers to. Their brotherly ties and the complicated history with their mother added some intrigue.
Thank you so much to Spiegel & Grau and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you so much to Spiegel & Grau and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 17, 2024
Read this in under 24 hours it was so good. I’ve liked Callan Wink’s short stories and his book August, but this is his best so far. Less coming of age and more outdoor thriller a la Peter Heller, the plot of the story takes off right from the beginning and has some great nature descriptions, foreshadowing, and excellent pacing. Very excited to read future books of his.
June 26, 2024
I liked this book a lot more than I honestly thought I was going to. Reading the description kind of gives off an old man/dad book kind of vibe that I normally wouldn't pick up, but this book was super engaging. It reminded me of a northwest version of "No Country for Old Men."
This book is filled with such rich descriptions that it's almost like an assault on the senses. I've never been in the deep woods of Montana before, but I feel like I could recognize them by appearance and smell, such based on this authors writing.
I thought the characters were the best part of this book. Both Thad and Hazen were incredibly fleshed out and felt so real. I loved the older/younger brother dynamic. The slow reveal of who Hazen was as a person, despite seeing him mostly through the biased eyes of older brother Thad, was really well done. I wish part of the novel had been done in Hazen's POV because he was my favorite.
My only issue with the novel waa that I was expecting more of the novel to be them out in the mountains conducting the 'heist'. It felt like it came and went pretty quickly to me. I also feel like a lot of the action happened off the page.
Thank you to Netgalley and Spiegel & Grau for providing me an ARC for an honest review
This book is filled with such rich descriptions that it's almost like an assault on the senses. I've never been in the deep woods of Montana before, but I feel like I could recognize them by appearance and smell, such based on this authors writing.
I thought the characters were the best part of this book. Both Thad and Hazen were incredibly fleshed out and felt so real. I loved the older/younger brother dynamic. The slow reveal of who Hazen was as a person, despite seeing him mostly through the biased eyes of older brother Thad, was really well done. I wish part of the novel had been done in Hazen's POV because he was my favorite.
My only issue with the novel waa that I was expecting more of the novel to be them out in the mountains conducting the 'heist'. It felt like it came and went pretty quickly to me. I also feel like a lot of the action happened off the page.
Thank you to Netgalley and Spiegel & Grau for providing me an ARC for an honest review
July 1, 2024
#Beartooth #NetGalley
A beautifully detailed story of two brothers, living in the mountains. With nothing but their love for their fathers house and the love of using the land around them to money. A bond like no other, this novel takes you on a journey through the heart of the countries most praised lands, griping you to the page by the detailed deception and wonderful characters. This novel will hold you to your heart till the last page, all while still wondering what happened after the last page.
A beautifully detailed story of two brothers, living in the mountains. With nothing but their love for their fathers house and the love of using the land around them to money. A bond like no other, this novel takes you on a journey through the heart of the countries most praised lands, griping you to the page by the detailed deception and wonderful characters. This novel will hold you to your heart till the last page, all while still wondering what happened after the last page.
July 4, 2024
This is the first book I read by Callan Wink, but it won’t be my last. I like ve the characters and the location was described so wonderfully I felt like I was there. I hope there is a sequel. I would buy it in a minute. Wonderful book.
August 26, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Callan Wink for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
4.5 ⭐️
This book took me FOREVER to read, but not because it was a hard read or even a bad one. Beartooth by Callan Wink instead demands a very particular part of your attention, undivided and immersed fully in the story. Wink's writing brings so much of the setting and the characters to life without being flowery or forcefully vivid; it relied on the reader wanting to be a part of the story and putting in the work to understand and digest the book.
This isn't necessarily a criticism, but I do think it's important to be said: there aren't ups and downs in this story. It follows a quite linear plotline that is always moving forward, always changing. There is no one central conflict or event - every moment in the plot is equally as important as the last. This isn't me saying that nothing happens. In fact, a lot happens, some very exciting & integral parts of the story. But it happens all on the same plane of necessity, and everything that is shown, done, or said, contributes in a significant way. It's all so deliberate that it's honestly admirable how much of the continuing plot I didn't connect, yet how little it surprised me. As such, it paints a gritty and realistic portrait of life. Nothing is simple, nothing has one cure or one solution, and other problems aren't put on hold just because one larger issue crops up.
Beartooth relied very heavily on the characters. It wasn't primarily a character study, but the characters formed the majority of the plot and the world that Wink was writing about. Thad and Hazen were such interesting and in depth people. While we never saw into Hazen's head as the book was written from Thad's perspective, we got to see Thad's thoughts and his understanding of his little brother, which was a really great way to explore these characters. They're alike, bonded by blood, but possibly as far apart as they could get. I do feel like a lot of the benefit and reward of this story is watching them mature and grow, but also just getting to learn who they are.
Thad and Hazen are two grown men, but Beartooth had all the undertones of a coming of age story, and it was a really rewarding and engaging read. I'm really lucky to have gotten a copy of this ARC, and can't wait for it to come out in February of 2025 for more people to get to enjoy it!
4.5 ⭐️
This book took me FOREVER to read, but not because it was a hard read or even a bad one. Beartooth by Callan Wink instead demands a very particular part of your attention, undivided and immersed fully in the story. Wink's writing brings so much of the setting and the characters to life without being flowery or forcefully vivid; it relied on the reader wanting to be a part of the story and putting in the work to understand and digest the book.
This isn't necessarily a criticism, but I do think it's important to be said: there aren't ups and downs in this story. It follows a quite linear plotline that is always moving forward, always changing. There is no one central conflict or event - every moment in the plot is equally as important as the last. This isn't me saying that nothing happens. In fact, a lot happens, some very exciting & integral parts of the story. But it happens all on the same plane of necessity, and everything that is shown, done, or said, contributes in a significant way. It's all so deliberate that it's honestly admirable how much of the continuing plot I didn't connect, yet how little it surprised me. As such, it paints a gritty and realistic portrait of life. Nothing is simple, nothing has one cure or one solution, and other problems aren't put on hold just because one larger issue crops up.
Beartooth relied very heavily on the characters. It wasn't primarily a character study, but the characters formed the majority of the plot and the world that Wink was writing about. Thad and Hazen were such interesting and in depth people. While we never saw into Hazen's head as the book was written from Thad's perspective, we got to see Thad's thoughts and his understanding of his little brother, which was a really great way to explore these characters. They're alike, bonded by blood, but possibly as far apart as they could get. I do feel like a lot of the benefit and reward of this story is watching them mature and grow, but also just getting to learn who they are.
Thad and Hazen are two grown men, but Beartooth had all the undertones of a coming of age story, and it was a really rewarding and engaging read. I'm really lucky to have gotten a copy of this ARC, and can't wait for it to come out in February of 2025 for more people to get to enjoy it!
July 6, 2024
This was another book that I was fortunate enough to be given an Advance Review Copy by the author, Callan Wink, their publisher (Spiegel & Grau), and the fine folks at NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This is a story about two adult brothers living, in financial dire straits, on the borders of Yellowstone (in the Absaroka-Beartooth mountains) in Montana. - who make a near faustian bargain with a they are approached by a shadowy out-of-towner with a proposition (and agree to attempt a heist of natural resources from Yellowstone, a federal crime) - as they struggle with reeling financial expenses that are the result of the medical bills they can’t afford from their father’s fatal illness and the tax lien on the cabin their grandfather built. Despite being a novel about adult men this feels like a coming-of-age story in a lot of ways.
Beartooth is a fast-paced tale with moments of surprising poignancy set in the grandeur of the American West. Evoking the timeless voices of American pastoral storytelling, this is a bracing, masterful novel about survival, revenge, and the bond between brothers.
While this novel 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. There are points in the book that I found the author may have been over descriptive (particularly when he was describing the life of their mother, Sacawajea, that may not have been as necessary to the story - this may only be one reader's opinion).
Overall, I would give this book a solid four stars on a five-star scale because of the the excellent characters that pull me so deep into this story. The characters are 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 that the author did an excellent job of fully exploring each of these characters as they grew.
As with most of my literary ramblings, this is just my five cents worth.
This is a story about two adult brothers living, in financial dire straits, on the borders of Yellowstone (in the Absaroka-Beartooth mountains) in Montana. - who make a near faustian bargain with a they are approached by a shadowy out-of-towner with a proposition (and agree to attempt a heist of natural resources from Yellowstone, a federal crime) - as they struggle with reeling financial expenses that are the result of the medical bills they can’t afford from their father’s fatal illness and the tax lien on the cabin their grandfather built. Despite being a novel about adult men this feels like a coming-of-age story in a lot of ways.
Beartooth is a fast-paced tale with moments of surprising poignancy set in the grandeur of the American West. Evoking the timeless voices of American pastoral storytelling, this is a bracing, masterful novel about survival, revenge, and the bond between brothers.
While this novel 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. There are points in the book that I found the author may have been over descriptive (particularly when he was describing the life of their mother, Sacawajea, that may not have been as necessary to the story - this may only be one reader's opinion).
Overall, I would give this book a solid four stars on a five-star scale because of the the excellent characters that pull me so deep into this story. The characters are 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 that the author did an excellent job of fully exploring each of these characters as they grew.
As with most of my literary ramblings, this is just my five cents worth.
August 18, 2024
Hazen and Thad are adult brothers living in the Montana mountains, eking out a living chopping and selling firewood and bear carcasses. They have an opportunity to make big money, which would go a long way towards saving their family home, paying off hospital bills left behind by their dead father, and situating them a little more comfortably in a rough life. The story of their temptations of acting on this illegal and dangerous proposition forms the narrative here, but the story is so much more.
In a big way, this is a coming-of-age tale, despite the fact that both brothers are grown men. Thad has been taking care of his brother Hazen, who appears, to Thad and the reader, to have certain challenges in conducting himself in a mature manner. Thad feels responsible for his brother's financial, physical, and emotional well-being. Thad is certainly the more mature person, turning down the illegal though lucrative proposition from their morally-challenged neighbor. However, when the story takes a turn, the brothers find themselves interacting with each other in new ways, and challenging their own and the others' notions of who they are individually as well as a duo who has till now lived and breathed their lives under one roof, working as a team. Thad's understanding and appreciation of Hazen changes as Hazen chooses a path that veers off from their staid life.
The author's writing is stellar. The narrative's spare and plain prose parallels the unadorned lives of these men, while also being able to land big emotional punches with little fanfare. The author also spotlights the setting of the story in a way that brings that background -- the landscape around the brothers -- to the foreground magnificently, starkly showing us the majesty, fierceness, as well as the savagery of the natural world in which the brothers work and through which they navigate their lives.
Excellent read. thank you to the publishers for the ARC
In a big way, this is a coming-of-age tale, despite the fact that both brothers are grown men. Thad has been taking care of his brother Hazen, who appears, to Thad and the reader, to have certain challenges in conducting himself in a mature manner. Thad feels responsible for his brother's financial, physical, and emotional well-being. Thad is certainly the more mature person, turning down the illegal though lucrative proposition from their morally-challenged neighbor. However, when the story takes a turn, the brothers find themselves interacting with each other in new ways, and challenging their own and the others' notions of who they are individually as well as a duo who has till now lived and breathed their lives under one roof, working as a team. Thad's understanding and appreciation of Hazen changes as Hazen chooses a path that veers off from their staid life.
The author's writing is stellar. The narrative's spare and plain prose parallels the unadorned lives of these men, while also being able to land big emotional punches with little fanfare. The author also spotlights the setting of the story in a way that brings that background -- the landscape around the brothers -- to the foreground magnificently, starkly showing us the majesty, fierceness, as well as the savagery of the natural world in which the brothers work and through which they navigate their lives.
Excellent read. thank you to the publishers for the ARC
August 27, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, Spiegel and Grau for the ARC of this book. It releases on February 11, 2025.
Beartooth takes place in the mountains of the same name. The story tracks Thad and Hazen, two brothers living in their inherited home and largely doing as they please in the wilds. Callan Wink focuses the narrative lens on Thad. The brothers are a good foil for each other and their interactions lead the story for much of the book.
The book opens with the brothers on a multi-day hunting excursion into the backwoods, where these two characters feel most comfortable. Later, they drift further into the wilds and we see Wink’s prose shine. He pulls us into the wooded areas and gives us clear but not flowery prose that lifts the story up and sets it into this world of bears, rocky inclines, and so much wildlife. We can feel and smell the outdoors through his writing. Often with books that focus on the landscape, it can become a character. That certainly happens in Beartooth, with the landscape becoming this secretive friend to the brothers.
At roughly the halfway point, I thought the novel was leading me one way and then it took an unexpected turn. The novel misdirected and rounded back on itself. At first, I thought this was a mistake, but it was a good ruse that led me back into the story, like walking on a trail, losing it for a bit, and then finding that well-worn path.
Thad and Hazen go through a transformation in the novel’s pages. I won’t go into that in the review, but these brothers go through inner battles and we see the results of these fights on the pages. I have issues with the ending, but those are minor.
I’ll be checking out other work by Callan Wink in the future. I highly recommend this one for the masterful descriptions of the outdoors and the ease with which Wink captures the essence of these two characters.
Beartooth takes place in the mountains of the same name. The story tracks Thad and Hazen, two brothers living in their inherited home and largely doing as they please in the wilds. Callan Wink focuses the narrative lens on Thad. The brothers are a good foil for each other and their interactions lead the story for much of the book.
The book opens with the brothers on a multi-day hunting excursion into the backwoods, where these two characters feel most comfortable. Later, they drift further into the wilds and we see Wink’s prose shine. He pulls us into the wooded areas and gives us clear but not flowery prose that lifts the story up and sets it into this world of bears, rocky inclines, and so much wildlife. We can feel and smell the outdoors through his writing. Often with books that focus on the landscape, it can become a character. That certainly happens in Beartooth, with the landscape becoming this secretive friend to the brothers.
At roughly the halfway point, I thought the novel was leading me one way and then it took an unexpected turn. The novel misdirected and rounded back on itself. At first, I thought this was a mistake, but it was a good ruse that led me back into the story, like walking on a trail, losing it for a bit, and then finding that well-worn path.
Thad and Hazen go through a transformation in the novel’s pages. I won’t go into that in the review, but these brothers go through inner battles and we see the results of these fights on the pages. I have issues with the ending, but those are minor.
I’ll be checking out other work by Callan Wink in the future. I highly recommend this one for the masterful descriptions of the outdoors and the ease with which Wink captures the essence of these two characters.
September 1, 2024
"beartooth" by callan wink is unlike any book i have ever read before, in the best way.
thad and hazen are compelling each in their own right. the brothers talk quite a bit, but they never really communicate much at all. thad is the stronger of the two. his responsibility and hard work keep them afloat in the wake of the death of their father. hazen, on the other hand, is kept mostly in the dark about the state of their finances and the precariousness of their ownership of the house. when their absent mother shows up, hazen welcomes her with open arms, while thad holds tight to his lingering resentment. thad and hazen disagree on other things as well. the brothers are loggers, which thad is proud of and hazen despises. occasionally, they take on illegal poaching jobs for a man called the Scot, who begins pressuring them to take on an almost impossible job. hazen jumps at the opportunity, but thad objects on both moral and practical grounds. but when thad's truck breaks down, and he has no way to log without the truck but no way to pay for the truck's repair, he decides to take the scot on for the job.
the themes, character struggles and development, and depth of thought that you usually have to dig for in books are directly stated in this one. but i honestly love beartooth more for its directness, its brutal honesty, its power in direct statements. there is also something dark lingering beneath the base text. it's giving Appalachian horror story but with nothing actually happening on that front. wink threads beautiful descriptions throughout the book that hooked me almost instantly.
while this book was so far out of my comfort zone, i ultimately rated it five stars. it was truly incredible. thank you net galley and spiegel&graul for this arc! i highly recommend it.
thad and hazen are compelling each in their own right. the brothers talk quite a bit, but they never really communicate much at all. thad is the stronger of the two. his responsibility and hard work keep them afloat in the wake of the death of their father. hazen, on the other hand, is kept mostly in the dark about the state of their finances and the precariousness of their ownership of the house. when their absent mother shows up, hazen welcomes her with open arms, while thad holds tight to his lingering resentment. thad and hazen disagree on other things as well. the brothers are loggers, which thad is proud of and hazen despises. occasionally, they take on illegal poaching jobs for a man called the Scot, who begins pressuring them to take on an almost impossible job. hazen jumps at the opportunity, but thad objects on both moral and practical grounds. but when thad's truck breaks down, and he has no way to log without the truck but no way to pay for the truck's repair, he decides to take the scot on for the job.
the themes, character struggles and development, and depth of thought that you usually have to dig for in books are directly stated in this one. but i honestly love beartooth more for its directness, its brutal honesty, its power in direct statements. there is also something dark lingering beneath the base text. it's giving Appalachian horror story but with nothing actually happening on that front. wink threads beautiful descriptions throughout the book that hooked me almost instantly.
while this book was so far out of my comfort zone, i ultimately rated it five stars. it was truly incredible. thank you net galley and spiegel&graul for this arc! i highly recommend it.
August 20, 2024
A huge thank you to NetGalley for approving me to read this novel.
Beartooth by Callan Wink is a striking novel that masterfully explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the lengths to which people will go to survive. Through beautifully crafted prose, Wink delves into the human experience, examining how financial pressures, strained family dynamics, and fear of failure shape our decisions and actions.
Wink's vivid descriptions of the natural world are particularly compelling, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the novel's setting. The surrounding wildlife and landscapes are so expertly portrayed that you can almost smell the pine trees, feel the cold river water, and hear the rustle of animals in the underbrush. This attention to detail not only enhances the reading experience but also underscores the novel's exploration of humanity's connection to nature.
The family dynamics are another standout aspect of the novel. Wink captures the complexities of familial relationships with a nuanced and empathetic touch, making them one of the most engaging elements of the story.
However, while Beartooth excels in many areas, the choice of genre is questionable. Marketed as a thriller, the novel feels more like a contemplative mystery. The tension and suspense typically associated with thrillers are muted, leading to a slower, more reflective narrative pace. While this isn’t necessarily a flaw, readers expecting a fast-paced thriller might be left disappointed.
Overall, *Beartooth* is a deeply evocative novel that offers a poignant look at survival in its many forms. Though its classification as a thriller may be misleading, its strengths in prose, setting, and character dynamics make it a worthwhile read.
Beartooth by Callan Wink is a striking novel that masterfully explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the lengths to which people will go to survive. Through beautifully crafted prose, Wink delves into the human experience, examining how financial pressures, strained family dynamics, and fear of failure shape our decisions and actions.
Wink's vivid descriptions of the natural world are particularly compelling, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the novel's setting. The surrounding wildlife and landscapes are so expertly portrayed that you can almost smell the pine trees, feel the cold river water, and hear the rustle of animals in the underbrush. This attention to detail not only enhances the reading experience but also underscores the novel's exploration of humanity's connection to nature.
The family dynamics are another standout aspect of the novel. Wink captures the complexities of familial relationships with a nuanced and empathetic touch, making them one of the most engaging elements of the story.
However, while Beartooth excels in many areas, the choice of genre is questionable. Marketed as a thriller, the novel feels more like a contemplative mystery. The tension and suspense typically associated with thrillers are muted, leading to a slower, more reflective narrative pace. While this isn’t necessarily a flaw, readers expecting a fast-paced thriller might be left disappointed.
Overall, *Beartooth* is a deeply evocative novel that offers a poignant look at survival in its many forms. Though its classification as a thriller may be misleading, its strengths in prose, setting, and character dynamics make it a worthwhile read.
August 19, 2024
I was excited to read this book based on the plot summary. Unfortunately, it missed the mark. I recently read another novel about a bond between brothers: The Survivors, by Alex Shulman. This was a much more interesting read and did a great job of bringing you into the family plot and caring for the brothers' lives and struggles.
Beartooth did a good job of introducing Thad and Hazen and getting you interested in their bond at first. You feel the tension between the two brothers, and get wrapped in the idea that Thad might be more level-headed, and Hazen may be a bit slow-minded. However, as the story progresses, I did not enjoy the pacing. The first 50% of the novel focuses on the brothers and a vague idea of a job Hazen wants to take which Thad doesn't, due to its potentially dangerous nature. Suddenly, they take the job and a short number of pages quickly blows through the progress of said job, without much detail or sense of danger. Then the novel quickly wraps up with a sudden ending and no real feeling of conclusiveness.
It was a highly unsatisfactory ending which left me feeling like I wasted my time investing any amount of energy in the story of these two brothers. I don't know what I just read because it felt incomplete. I can't really get into much more than that without giving away plot spoilers, but this book was highly lacking in plot development because it focused too much on character development. If you want a bond-between-brothers story, go with The Survivors by Alex Shulman. This just wasn't it for me.
Beartooth did a good job of introducing Thad and Hazen and getting you interested in their bond at first. You feel the tension between the two brothers, and get wrapped in the idea that Thad might be more level-headed, and Hazen may be a bit slow-minded. However, as the story progresses, I did not enjoy the pacing. The first 50% of the novel focuses on the brothers and a vague idea of a job Hazen wants to take which Thad doesn't, due to its potentially dangerous nature. Suddenly, they take the job and a short number of pages quickly blows through the progress of said job, without much detail or sense of danger. Then the novel quickly wraps up with a sudden ending and no real feeling of conclusiveness.
It was a highly unsatisfactory ending which left me feeling like I wasted my time investing any amount of energy in the story of these two brothers. I don't know what I just read because it felt incomplete. I can't really get into much more than that without giving away plot spoilers, but this book was highly lacking in plot development because it focused too much on character development. If you want a bond-between-brothers story, go with The Survivors by Alex Shulman. This just wasn't it for me.
September 3, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Okay so I am in a major phase right now with reading books about survival in the wilderness and I requested this so fast! This book follows two brothers, Hazen and Thad, and their life in the remote Montana wilderness near Yellowstone National Park, where they camp, hike, and live partly off the land while trying to make a living chopping wood and end up engaging in illegal poaching.
I expected this book to be more adventurous than it actually was, and while we do still follow Thad and Hazen's wilderness poaching adventures, this story was much more about the bonds between family members and the effects of poverty and living in remote areas.
Hazen and Thad are very close, each having essentially nobody else in the world aside from each other. They were relatively close to their father, but have strained and limited contact with their mother, who was away during most of their childhood. This book takes place after their father has died and their mother has showed up in their lives again, while they struggle to find a way to make ends meet in order to keep their house, leading to the whole poaching situation and unplanned contact with some shady people.
The ending of this book surprised me, as I was expecting a more thriller-type story that would also make me want to go take a walk outside. However, I came away from this book with a sad, lonely feeling and rather than wanting to take a walk outside, it made me want to call up my sister or go into town and be among people. A strange and haunting book!
Okay so I am in a major phase right now with reading books about survival in the wilderness and I requested this so fast! This book follows two brothers, Hazen and Thad, and their life in the remote Montana wilderness near Yellowstone National Park, where they camp, hike, and live partly off the land while trying to make a living chopping wood and end up engaging in illegal poaching.
I expected this book to be more adventurous than it actually was, and while we do still follow Thad and Hazen's wilderness poaching adventures, this story was much more about the bonds between family members and the effects of poverty and living in remote areas.
Hazen and Thad are very close, each having essentially nobody else in the world aside from each other. They were relatively close to their father, but have strained and limited contact with their mother, who was away during most of their childhood. This book takes place after their father has died and their mother has showed up in their lives again, while they struggle to find a way to make ends meet in order to keep their house, leading to the whole poaching situation and unplanned contact with some shady people.
The ending of this book surprised me, as I was expecting a more thriller-type story that would also make me want to go take a walk outside. However, I came away from this book with a sad, lonely feeling and rather than wanting to take a walk outside, it made me want to call up my sister or go into town and be among people. A strange and haunting book!
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