High Hunt

High Hunt follows Dan Alders, a recently returned soldier who embarks on a deer hunting trip in Washington's Cascade Mountains with his estranged brother Jack and three other men. The story opens with childhood memories of the brothers and their father before moving into the present-day narrative. The plot centers on the mounting tensions between the five men during their hunting expedition. Each character brings their own baggage and conflicts to the wilderness, creating an atmosphere of increasing hostility within the group. The narrative unfolds entirely through Dan's first-person perspective as he navigates both the physical challenges of the hunt and the psychological strain of family dynamics. The mountainous setting serves as both backdrop and catalyst for the events that transpire. The novel explores themes of brotherhood, masculinity, and the impact of past trauma on present relationships. Through its portrayal of men in isolation, the book examines how violence and unresolved conflicts can surface in unexpected ways.

Readers familiar with Eddings' fantasy works express surprise at this realistic novel about hunting and family relationships. The book maintains a 3.9/5 rating on Goodreads from 1,200+ ratings. Readers praise: - Raw, authentic dialogue between brothers - Detailed hunting scenes and outdoor descriptions - Complex family dynamics - Character development of protagonist Dan - Writing style differs from Eddings' fantasy works Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Some readers found hunting segments too technical - Female characters lack depth - Religious themes heavy-handed for some On Amazon (3.8/5 from 80+ reviews), multiple readers note the book feels autobiographical. One reviewer writes: "The relationships between the brothers ring true - you can tell Eddings drew from real experiences." Some readers on forums mention seeking out this book specifically to see Eddings write in a different genre, though it remains much less known than his fantasy series.

The River Why by David James Duncan A young man's solitary journey into the wilderness becomes a path to self-discovery through fishing, family relationships, and connections with strangers.

Montana 1948 by Larry Watson A coming-of-age tale set in rural Montana explores family loyalty, justice, and loss of innocence through a boy's perspective of his family's dark secrets.

The Mountain Lion by Jean Stafford Two siblings navigate their transformation from childhood to adulthood in the Colorado wilderness while confronting family dynamics and the raw realities of nature.

Rock Springs by Richard Ford Working-class characters in the American West face moral choices and personal struggles in their pursuit of understanding and redemption.

The Blood of Heaven by Kent Wascom A young man's journey through the American frontier involves brotherhood, violence, and survival while testing the boundaries between right and wrong.

🔹 Published in 1973, High Hunt was David Eddings' debut novel, written years before he became famous for his bestselling fantasy series The Belgariad. 🔹 The Cascade Mountains, where the novel is set, contain over 700 glaciers - more than any other range in the continental United States outside of Alaska. 🔹 Eddings drew from his own experiences as a former U.S. Army soldier stationed in Germany while creating the protagonist Dan Alders' military background. 🔹 The author initially resisted writing fantasy, and High Hunt represents his only published work of contemporary literary fiction. 🔹 The novel's themes of sibling rivalry and family tension were partially inspired by Eddings' observations of returning Vietnam veterans readjusting to civilian life in the early 1970s.