The Wild

The Wild follows Bob Duke, a struggling former poet working at Apple Computer's NYC office in the 1980s, who faces mounting financial pressures to support his wife and young son. When he begins experiencing an inexplicable physical transformation into a wolf, his entire world shifts into chaos. His metamorphosis forces Bob to confront both his animal nature and his humanity while trying to maintain his family relationships and professional life. The story tracks his attempts to understand and control his transformation with help from his therapist, all while protecting his loved ones from the truth. Set against the backdrop of corporate America and New York City life, The Wild combines elements of horror, fantasy and psychological drama. Bob's journey becomes a test of identity, marriage, fatherhood and survival. This urban werewolf tale explores themes of primal nature versus civilization, family bonds under extreme pressure, and the psychological toll of suppressing one's true self. The novel raises questions about the masks people wear in society and what lies beneath them.

Readers describe it as a fast-paced wilderness survival story that blends elements of horror and eco-thriller genres. Positive reviews mention: - Taut pacing and suspense - Realistic survival details and animal behavior - Environmental themes without being preachy - Character growth through extreme situations Common criticisms: - Ending feels rushed and unresolved - Some plot threads abandoned - Scientific explanations seem far-fetched - Characters make illogical decisions One reader noted "The tension builds steadily but the payoff doesn't match the setup." Another said "The survival scenes are gripping but the supernatural elements feel tacked on." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (612 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (89 reviews) LibraryThing: 3.2/5 (42 ratings) Many reviewers compared it unfavorably to Strieber's other works, with several mentioning it lacks the depth of Wolfen or Communion.

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Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones A coming-of-age story tracks a young boy in a family of werewolves as they move between rural towns, struggle with their nature, and try to maintain family bonds.

The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan The narrative follows Jake Marlowe, the world's last werewolf, as he grapples with his dual nature, isolation, and the weight of immortality in modern times.

Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman A Depression-era professor moves to a small Georgia town and encounters ancient supernatural forces that test his humanity and threaten his new life.

Red Moon by Benjamin Percy In an alternate America where werewolves are a persecuted minority, multiple characters navigate discrimination, violence, and personal transformation while questioning what makes them human.

🐺 The novel's protagonist works at Apple Computer's NYC office - a location that never actually existed, adding an intriguing layer of artistic license to the 1990s setting. 🌟 Whitley Strieber is perhaps best known for "Communion" (1987), his controversial non-fiction book about alleged personal encounters with extraterrestrial beings. 📚 Unlike traditional werewolf tales that often emphasize violence and horror, "The Wild" focuses on the psychological and emotional aspects of transformation, similar to Kafka's "Metamorphosis." 🗽 The book's 1991 release coincided with a period of significant change in New York City, as the metropolis was transitioning from its grittier 1980s era into the more sanitized Giuliani years. 🎭 Strieber drew from his own experiences of personal transformation - after a successful career as a horror novelist, he underwent a dramatic shift in his writing focus following what he claimed was an alien abduction experience in 1985.