Barkskins

Two French immigrants arrive in New France in 1693 as indentured servants: René Sel and Charles Duquet. Their divergent paths launch multi-generational sagas that span three centuries, from colonial America through modern times. René Sel follows his contract clearing land in the dense forests, eventually marrying into the indigenous Mi'kmaq people. Meanwhile, Charles Duquet escapes servitude to pursue his ambitions in the fur and timber trades, establishing what will become a powerful logging dynasty. Through the intertwining stories of the Sel and Duquet/Duke families, the novel traces the systematic destruction of North American forests from the colonial period to the present day. Their descendants' lives play out against the backdrop of expanding settlements, industrialization, and environmental change. The narrative examines humanity's complex relationship with nature, exploring themes of greed, survival, cultural identity, and the true cost of progress in the New World. At its core, it is a chronicle of how European arrival transformed both human lives and the ancient forests of North America.

Readers describe Barkskins as an epic historical narrative that tracks deforestation and environmental change across 300 years. Many note its meticulous research and vivid descriptions of logging practices and forest ecology. Readers appreciated: - Rich historical details and immersive world-building - Complex multi-generational family sagas - Integration of Native American perspectives - Environmental themes that connect to current issues Common criticisms: - Length (700+ pages) feels excessive - Too many characters to track - Abrupt character deaths and plot shifts - Writing style can be dense and demanding Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (23,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Reader comments highlight the polarizing length: "An exhausting but rewarding read" notes one reviewer, while another states "Could have been 300 pages shorter." Multiple readers mention abandoning the book partway through due to its complexity, while others praise its scope as necessary for the ambitious narrative.

The North Water by Ian McGuire Chronicles the brutal 19th century Arctic whaling industry through interconnected character destinies, depicting humanity's exploitation of natural resources.

The Overstory by Richard Powers Weaves together multiple storylines across generations to tell the history of American forests and human relationships with trees.

The Good Lord Bird by James McBride Follows a young slave through pre-Civil War America, illuminating the complex social dynamics of colonial expansion and cultural displacement.

The Wake by Paul Kingsnorth Uses a modified Old English to tell the story of resistance to Norman invasion, depicting the collision between civilizations and traditional ways of life.

River of the Gods by Candice Millard Documents the 19th century British exploration of the Nile through multiple perspectives, revealing the impact of colonial ambition on indigenous peoples and landscapes.

🌲 The word "barkskins" was a term used in the 17th century to describe wood-cutters or those who harvested tree bark for various purposes. 🏆 Author Annie Proulx won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel "The Shipping News" (1993) before writing "Barkskins." 🌿 The research for "Barkskins" took Proulx over a decade to complete, involving extensive study of forestry, indigenous peoples, and colonial history. 🌎 The novel spans 320 years and follows the stories of multiple generations across North America, Europe, and China, tracking the global impact of deforestation. 🗺️ Much of the early narrative takes place in New France (modern-day Quebec), where French settlers faced mortality rates of up to 25% during their first winter in North America.