A Geography of Blood

A Geography of Blood traces the complex history of Southwest Saskatchewan through one author's exploration of the Cypress Hills region. Candace Savage began her investigation while staying in Eastend, Saskatchewan, at the former home of writer Wallace Stegner. The book examines the dramatic transformation of the prairie landscape during Canadian settlement, including the decimation of bison herds and displacement of Indigenous peoples. Through research and conversations with local residents, Savage reconstructs the colonial past of this territory and its lasting impacts. This work of creative non-fiction moves between personal narrative, historical documentation, and geological record to tell the story of a place shaped by human actions and natural forces. The book garnered significant recognition, winning the 2012 Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction and multiple Saskatchewan Book Awards. At its core, A Geography of Blood raises essential questions about memory, responsibility, and the relationship between landscape and identity in Canadian history. The narrative challenges conventional settler accounts while exploring how past events continue to influence the present.

Readers found the book illuminating about the hidden history of Saskatchewan's Cypress Hills region and its Indigenous peoples. Many connected with Savage's personal journey of discovery and her transformation from tourist to engaged investigator of the land's past. Likes: - Detailed research into settler impacts and ecological changes - Blend of memoir, history, and nature writing - Focus on overlooked Indigenous perspectives - Clear, poetic writing style Dislikes: - Some found the pacing slow in sections - A few readers wanted more depth on current Indigenous issues - Structure feels fragmented to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (148 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (21 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Made me rethink everything I thought I knew about prairie history" - Goodreads "Beautiful writing but meanders at times" - Amazon "Important perspective on colonization's lasting effects" - LibraryThing

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🌟 Wallace Stegner's childhood home in Eastend now operates as a writers' retreat, hosting authors like Savage who seek inspiration from the prairie landscape 🦬 The Plains bison population dropped from an estimated 30 million to fewer than 1,000 by the 1880s, fundamentally altering both the ecosystem and Indigenous ways of life 🏆 "A Geography of Blood" won the 2012 Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction, one of Canada's most prestigious literary awards 🌿 The Cypress Hills region featured in the book remained unglaciated during the last ice age, creating a unique ecological island that preserves rare plant and animal species 📚 Author Candace Savage has written over two dozen books, primarily focusing on natural history and environmental topics, establishing herself as a leading voice in Canadian nature writing