Mimi Thebo

An unusual heroine (Darcy, late of London, now in Yellowstone) in an odd, dreamy-breathless situation (pneumonia and winter) has an encounter with a bear. I found the book an easy read, that draws you along through the strangeness of debilitating illness and survival conditions in a national park and connection to the wild. There's a mystery here, too.

I'm afraid it does not end well for the bear. Some people like to know that about animal focused books. There's compassion and a deep ecological message, however.… (mais)

In the Lake Woebegone school but with less despair and none of the shaggy dog stories. Which makes it pretty weak tea. But far more to my taste than the one Jan Karon book I read. They have much in common: gentle, small town stories with some romance, plenty of nostalgia and not much conflict. Thebo has a better sense of history and race than Karon for sure. This book was a pleasant read with an omniscient narrator who refers to itself as 'this chronicle'.

I am bothered that she put Eudora in the title but the town is a mash-up of several area towns (Ottawa, Eudora, Baldwin City). Go on and make up a new name, if you ask me.… (mais)

Literary Merit: Okay
Characterization: Okay
Recommended: Not recommended
Level: 6-12

Darcy's family moves to Yellowstone Park following her father's line of environmental work. While there, Darcy stumbles upon a semi-conscious, hibernating bear and finds herself being literally pulled into an embrace. Thus begins a complicated relationship between she and the animal. A pre-existing illness in Darcy is hinted at, but is never addressed. She is further ailed by altitude sickness which results in Darcy experiencing out-of-body experiences.

Darcy does not read as a believable character and the ending of the book leaves the reader feeling confused rather than inspired, as the author intends.… (mais)