title: ORDINARY WOLVES
author/editor: Seth Kantner
reviewed by: June Poucher
ORDINARY WOLVES
Seth Kantner, the author of this novel, is a native of northern Alaska where the story takes place. The main character is Cutuk, a young boy as the story opens. He and his two siblings are being raised by their father alone. They remain though their mother fled the primitive life they lived in the wilderness. Their father is an educated resourceful artist. He chose their survivor lifestyle and educates his children at home.
As Cutuk grows into manhood, he holds a devotion and reverence for the land and its animals. Then, in order to experience a different culture, a naive Cutuk moves to Anchorage for a period. There, he is stunned by the way city people live and their lack of harmony and appreciation for their environment. Conflicted by what he sees, he searches for resolution. Therein, the plot evolves.
June Poucher (Feb.'06 ) says: "Although it requires patience with the use of Eskimo words, it is a book that contrasts our consumer culture with the last frontier of North America."