“This is one of those novels that I find difficult to rate, or to gauge my feelings on in any concise way. I definitely think that, if nothing else, it is an interesting read. I have certainly not read anything like it before. Initially, I had trouble getting interested because I was taken aback by the change in character perspective and then the location, but after about 150 pages things really picked up. One thing I do like is that we see how several of the characters thoughts about themselves and companions are reflected and confirmed or disproved by the other character's personal opinions. Had the entire novel been from say, Star's perspective, I would not have appreciated the things that made life difficult for Ronnie who, while still pretty despicable, becomes at least marginally forgivable when we are let into his often muddled chain of thoughts. The main thing I was unhappy with was the ending, I wish there would have been a tad more closure- not that I needed to necessarily know every detail of what happens to all of the characters but the ending was especially abrupt to me. Overall I would still recommend it, especially if like me the idea of living with the elements either in the hippie lifestyle or the rough Alaskan model is totally alien to you.”
