Wolfish

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An original and probing debut work of nonfiction, this enthralling exploration delves into the cultural legacy of the wolf, blending historic and scientific findings with criticism, journalism, and memoir. The author illuminates the complex cultural constructions of predator and prey, reflecting on our dual nature in a world where we embody both. From 17th-century Europeans associating mysterious bodily sores with wolves to modern xenophobia surrounding their movements, wolves have symbolized our deepest sociopolitical, environmental, and bodily fears. This intimate inquiry revolves around the intertwined stories of a legendary tagged wolf, OR-7, and the author herself. As OR-7 embarks on a long-distance journey after leaving his pack in northeastern Oregon, the author parallels her own path away from home. The narrative grapples with inherited fears surrounding danger and the body, exploring themes from her grandfather's sheep farm to a wolf sanctuary on an English estate. The author untangles the binaries of predator and prey, self and other, and wild and domestic, offering new perspectives on bravery in a warming world. This timely work resonates with readers of cultural criticism and environmental writing, providing essential insights for navigating a complex and often frightening reality.