62 pages • 2 hours read
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
464
Novel • Fiction
California • 1970s
2021
Adult
18+ years
Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson is an epic family drama set in the late 1970s that centers on Rich and Colleen Gundersen, a logging family from northern California. Amidst personal tragedies, including miscarriages, and escalating tensions between environmentalists and the logging community, Rich buys land hoping to secure a better future, while Colleen grows concerned about the environmental impact of logging practices and herbicides. Includes themes of environmental degradation, pregnancy loss, and violence.
Gritty
Melancholic
Suspenseful
Challenging
Emotional
14,852 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ash Davidson's Damnation Spring is lauded for its vivid depiction of a logging community's struggles, showcasing well-developed characters and evocative natural settings. Critics admire the multifaceted narrative and environmental themes, though some find the pacing slow and the plot occasionally predictable. Overall, it’s a compelling exploration of human and ecological endurance.
Readers who relish richly detailed environmental fiction, complex character dynamics, and social justice themes will find joy in Ash Davidson’s Damnation Spring. Fans of Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior or Richard Powers’ The Overstory will appreciate its nuanced exploration of logging communities and ecological impact.
14,852 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Rich Gundersen
The 53-year-old high-climber and breadwinner, deeply connected to his logging roots, who faces moral and physical challenges while trying to secure his family's future.
Chub Gundersen
The young son of Colleen and Rich, who displays empathy and a protective nature, reflecting the values of his parents and becoming a point-of-view character.
Enid
Colleen’s younger sister, known for her wild reputation and pragmatic nature, whose relationship with Colleen evolves over the course of the story.
Eugene
Enid’s husband, who is characterized by his insecurity, susceptibility to manipulation, and tendency towards violence, complicating family dynamics.
Daniel Bywater
A Yurok academic who returns to Klamath for research, dealing with his past and navigating complicated relationships with the Gundersen family.
Merle Sanderson
The shrewd and manipulative head of the Sanderson logging company, whose business practices serve as a nemesis to Rich and the community.
464
Novel • Fiction
California • 1970s
2021
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.