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Cheri's Reviews > Once There Were Wolves
Once There Were Wolves
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Inti Flynn and her twin sister Aggie grew up living one life and lifestyle with their father, a life surrounded by nature, and lessons to be shared about the beauty, and hazards, found within. When they were with their mother, it was a completely different life, and the lessons learned were darker ones about the hazards of life, and the darker nature of man. When she was too young to really understand, her mother explained that she needed to be more careful than most, as she suffers from mirror-touch synesthesia, which causes her to feel the sensations of another being touched. Or hurt.
These lessons would serve her well in their new life, as Inti and Aggie have left Alaska and arrived in Scotland, where Inti will be working with a group of biologists. Their goal is to reintroduce gray wolves into the outlying Highlands in order to bring back the necessary combination of wildlife which will improve the ecology of the land. Land which has suffered under man’s abuse.
Inti has been taught about the nature of man to abuse, her mother worked with victims of abuse, and shared some of her wisdom on the topic. She’s also seen enough to be cautious of the nature of humans, their desire to destroy the world around them without regard for the repercussions, as well as their need to dominate. In this area largely dominated by farms and farmers, there are many members who aren’t happy, worried about their sheep, their farms, their livelihood. Meetings in town let her know that she and the wolves aren’t welcome.
And then, she witnesses a miracle, a pair of the wolves have mated. The first in hundreds of years in Scotland. Hope fills her, and she begins to allow herself to open up and have hope, believe in herself and this journey she is on.
I fell into this story all over again, listening to audiobook version of Charlotte McConaghy's Once There Were Wolves, perfectly narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, added another element to the story for me. Listening to her share this story really brought it to life for me in the best way.
As in her Migrations, the writing is gorgeous, the setting atmospheric, the story is one that will haunt you - enchanting at times, gripping at others. It will undoubtedly tug at your emotions, and ultimately leave you wishing you could stay inside these pages just a little longer.
Pub Date: 03 Aug 2021
Many thanks for the Audio ARC provided by Macmillan Audio
by
Cheri's review
bookshelves: 2021, 2021-favourites, arc, literary-fiction, scotland, environment-nature, animals-nature, alaska, audiobook, publisher-macmillan-audio, 2021-ng-challenge
Apr 20, 2021
bookshelves: 2021, 2021-favourites, arc, literary-fiction, scotland, environment-nature, animals-nature, alaska, audiobook, publisher-macmillan-audio, 2021-ng-challenge
Read 2 times. Last read July 11, 2021 to July 12, 2021.
Inti Flynn and her twin sister Aggie grew up living one life and lifestyle with their father, a life surrounded by nature, and lessons to be shared about the beauty, and hazards, found within. When they were with their mother, it was a completely different life, and the lessons learned were darker ones about the hazards of life, and the darker nature of man. When she was too young to really understand, her mother explained that she needed to be more careful than most, as she suffers from mirror-touch synesthesia, which causes her to feel the sensations of another being touched. Or hurt.
These lessons would serve her well in their new life, as Inti and Aggie have left Alaska and arrived in Scotland, where Inti will be working with a group of biologists. Their goal is to reintroduce gray wolves into the outlying Highlands in order to bring back the necessary combination of wildlife which will improve the ecology of the land. Land which has suffered under man’s abuse.
Inti has been taught about the nature of man to abuse, her mother worked with victims of abuse, and shared some of her wisdom on the topic. She’s also seen enough to be cautious of the nature of humans, their desire to destroy the world around them without regard for the repercussions, as well as their need to dominate. In this area largely dominated by farms and farmers, there are many members who aren’t happy, worried about their sheep, their farms, their livelihood. Meetings in town let her know that she and the wolves aren’t welcome.
And then, she witnesses a miracle, a pair of the wolves have mated. The first in hundreds of years in Scotland. Hope fills her, and she begins to allow herself to open up and have hope, believe in herself and this journey she is on.
I fell into this story all over again, listening to audiobook version of Charlotte McConaghy's Once There Were Wolves, perfectly narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, added another element to the story for me. Listening to her share this story really brought it to life for me in the best way.
As in her Migrations, the writing is gorgeous, the setting atmospheric, the story is one that will haunt you - enchanting at times, gripping at others. It will undoubtedly tug at your emotions, and ultimately leave you wishing you could stay inside these pages just a little longer.
Pub Date: 03 Aug 2021
Many thanks for the Audio ARC provided by Macmillan Audio
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Reading Progress
April 18, 2021
– Shelved
May 5, 2021
–
Started Reading
(Hardcover Edition)
May 6, 2021
–
Finished Reading
(Hardcover Edition)
July 11, 2021
–
Started Reading
July 12, 2021
–
Finished Reading
July 13, 2021
– Shelved
(Hardcover Edition)
Comments Showing 1-50 of 62 (62 new)
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Debbi
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Apr 20, 2021 03:03PM
Wonderful review, Cheri! I can't wait to read this. I loved Migrations.
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Thank you so much, Debbie! I loved Migrations, as well. This is different in settings, but if you loved Migrations, I'm sure you will, at the very least, really enjoy this if not love it!
Another beautifully-written review, Cheri!
This sounds lovely, Cheri! Fantastic review!
Thanks so much, Swaroop, this is the second book by this author that I've read in the past year, and both have been remarkable. Beautifully written with very compelling stories.
Kevin, thank you so much! I hope you are doing well, you have been missed!
Thanks so much, Deanna!
Kat, I was so eager to read this one after reading her Migrations - which was also lovely.
What a wonderfully intriguing review, Cheri! Thank you for sharing! :-)
Thanks so much, Kimber! I loved her Migrations so much, so I was really happy to get a copy of this one!
Beautiful review Cher! Can’t wait to read this!
I love atmospheric reads. Lovely review Cheri!
A splendid review, Cheri! I have Migrations waiting right there on my kindle for the perfect time. This sounds equally intriguing!
Fantastic review, Cheri! You got me with Scotland and the reintroduction of grey wolves. Two subjects I am interested in. Just added...
What a super fine review my good friend! This book sounds wonderful.
Karen, it's so good, I hope you get a chance to read this soon!
Thank you so much, Holly, I love the way that she writes!
Candi, I hope you can find time for Migrations soon, I think you will really love it, and I am already looking forward to your review! Both of these stories share a love of nature, and the planet, and I love the way she manages to transport me with her words.
Paula, if Scotland and the reintroduction of grey wolves are interests of yours, this is one you can't miss!
J.K., if you haven't read her yet, I think you would love both the way she writes, and her love of nature. Her Migrations was also lovely.
I'm going to add the book, Cheri. I have not yet read Migrations, but I'm pretty certain I will enjoy it when I do, and this one as well. You mention how gorgeous McConaghy's writing is, and that seems to be a consensus of all the reviews I've noticed. Plus, stories that involve nature, always tend to draw me in.
Ron, I don't think I could choose between this and Migrations - both are so beautifully written, and with so much passion. This one won't be released for a while, but I think you'll love both of them. I hope you get a chance to read Migrations soon!
Wonderful review, Cheri. I loved “Migrations,” can’t wait to get my hands on this!
Dianne, thank you so much! Migrations is lovely, and if you loved that one, I think you will love this one, as well. They are different in some ways, but that passion for our planet and those living on it are at the core of both.
I can't wait to read this, Cheri. Once I do, I'll come back to your review. I was afraid of spoilers in your summary!
Melissa, my review only has a small glimpse of the very beginning, but I *know* you'll love reading this one!
I'm so jealous you got this. I adored Migrations, but I haven't been approved for the ARC. I shall persevere.
Bianca, I was surprised - elated, but surprised - when this showed up in my mailbox, but I haven't been approved for the ARC on NG or EW. It was a week when I think four different books showed up in my mail... it's been a while since that's happened, but it was a welcome surprise!
Excellent review, Cheri, Glad to find another author through your review, you seem to pick up quite a few contemporary books. Thanks for it :)
Cheri wrote: "Bianca, I was surprised - elated, but surprised - when this showed up in my mailbox, but I haven't been approved for the ARC on NG or EW. It was a week when I think four different books showed up i..."Wow, that's so nice. Even more so when it's unexpected.
Thanks for another thoughtful review. Your review of Migrations was a main factor in my reading it. And I beloved it, so I am grateful to learn she has a new book and it sounds wonderful.
Cheri wrote: "Melissa, my review only has a small glimpse of the very beginning, but I *know* you'll love reading this one!"I'm already tired of waiting for it to be published!!!
Gaurav, I read her Migrations sometime last year, and loved that - it was my favourite read for 2020. This is also one that includes a theme about our environment, and the need to protect it and the animals - in this case wolves. She writes beautifully, I really think you'd love this one.
Bianca, it was definitely a welcome surprise!
Sue Em, thank you so much! She writes so beautifully, doesn't she? This has a similar, environmental, theme, but as in Migrations there is much more than just that. I'm so glad to know that you plan to read this one, too!
Melissa, fortunately the publication date is less than 3 months away. I can't wait for your review!
Thanks so much, Elyse!
Fabulous review, Cheri. Sounds like another great book by this author.
Thanks so much, Kathleen, I loved them both, love her passion for environmental issues and the way she shares her stories.
Oh I love your review, Cheri. Just loved this book, too (though the animal violence was hard for me). I giggle, thinking we’re in this secret little club that got to read this gembefode it’s published. Can’t wait for everyone to read it so our club is jam-packed!
Debbie, I was so excited when this showed up rather mysteriously in my mail! It was better than Christmas (even in non-COVID year!) I agree, I'm not one for animal violence, but it also felt realistic, and was probably necessary for the story. So excited you read this!
Terrific review, Cheri. Might have to add this one.
Thank you so much, Katie! I hope you do decide to read it.
Wonderful review, Cheri!
Wonderful review, Cheri!
Debra, thank you! This was wonderful!
Lovely review, Cheri. I enjoyed Migrations and think I will love this, too.
Elyse, thanks so much! I read this a while ago, but wanted to listen to the audio version, as well, which was excellent!
Laysee, they are both wonderful. I think if you loved Migrations you will love this one, too. They are different in some ways, but I think you'll find that each of their individual passions to be completely engaging. I read a paperback ARC of this a few months ago, but then listened to the audiobook, just because I hoped it would be as enjoyable in that format, since there are so many people on goodreads who love listening to audiobooks.
