A review by trentthompson
Barkskins by Annie Proulx
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Truly epic. This is easily one of the best books I have ever read.
At its core, Barkskins is a meditation on the relationship between humans and nature; it is an exploration of environmentalism, capitalism, colonialism, and identity. Through the stories of Charles and Rene and their descendants over 300 years, Proulx shows how humans have transformed the natural world for their own purposes, with tragic results.
Despite its weighty themes, Barkskins is a beautiful novel in both form and content. Proulx writes such vivid descriptions of the natural (and unnatural) world and her characters are complex and nuanced, reflecting the complexity of the world around them.
I’m sure I will be reading this one again soon!
———
A few quotes that I liked:
“In every life there are events that reshape one’s sense of existence. Afterward, all is different and the past is dimmed” (p. 49).
“Americans have no sense of years beyond three—last year, this year, and next year” (p. 553).
“One must have faith in the power of a seed… We plant them knowing we will never see them when they are grown” (p. 583).
“Nothing in the natural world, no forest, no river, no insect nor leaf has any intrinsic value to men. All is worthless, utterly dispensable unless we discover some benefit to ourselves in it—even the most ardent forest lover thinks this way. Men behave as overlords. They decide what will flourish and what will die. I believe that humankind is evolving into a terrible new species and I am sorry that I am one of them” (p. 658).
At its core, Barkskins is a meditation on the relationship between humans and nature; it is an exploration of environmentalism, capitalism, colonialism, and identity. Through the stories of Charles and Rene and their descendants over 300 years, Proulx shows how humans have transformed the natural world for their own purposes, with tragic results.
Despite its weighty themes, Barkskins is a beautiful novel in both form and content. Proulx writes such vivid descriptions of the natural (and unnatural) world and her characters are complex and nuanced, reflecting the complexity of the world around them.
I’m sure I will be reading this one again soon!
———
A few quotes that I liked:
“In every life there are events that reshape one’s sense of existence. Afterward, all is different and the past is dimmed” (p. 49).
“Americans have no sense of years beyond three—last year, this year, and next year” (p. 553).
“One must have faith in the power of a seed… We plant them knowing we will never see them when they are grown” (p. 583).
“Nothing in the natural world, no forest, no river, no insect nor leaf has any intrinsic value to men. All is worthless, utterly dispensable unless we discover some benefit to ourselves in it—even the most ardent forest lover thinks this way. Men behave as overlords. They decide what will flourish and what will die. I believe that humankind is evolving into a terrible new species and I am sorry that I am one of them” (p. 658).