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272
Novel • Fiction
Scotland • Contemporary
2021
Adult
18+ years
In Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy, biologist Inti Flynn rewilds wolves in the Scottish Highlands despite resistance from local residents who fear for their safety and livestock. Inti brings her sister Aggie, who has severe PTSD due to a violent assault. Inti's project faces turmoil as she navigates complex relationships, local hostility, and a mysterious death that she must conceal to protect the wolves. The novel includes themes of violence and trauma.
Mysterious
Emotional
Dark
Suspenseful
Contemplative
99,956 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Charlotte McConaghy's Once There Were Wolves has been praised for its evocative prose and deep environmental themes. Critics commend its blend of mystery and emotional depth. However, some note a slow-paced narrative and occasionally heavy-handed messaging. Overall, it’s a poignant exploration of rewilding and human-animal connections, though it may not appeal to readers preferring faster plots.
Readers who enjoy nature-infused literary fiction with psychological depth, akin to Delia Owens' Where the Crawdads Sing and Maja Lunde's The History of Bees, will find Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy captivating. The novel appeals to those intrigued by environmental themes, human-animal connections, and emotional resilience.
99,956 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Aggie Flynn
Inti's twin sister, a former language teacher, who shares a close bond with Inti and struggles with PTSD, affecting her daily life.
Alexander Flynn
The father of Inti and Aggie, a Canadian naturalist living in the woods outside Vancouver, who taught his daughters about survival and conservation.
Inti’s Mother
A detective in Sydney who is cautious about her daughter's empathetic nature and contributes essential information for a critical mystery in the narrative.
Duncan MacTavish
The police chief in the Scottish Highlands, who is skeptical of Inti's wolf project but becomes romantically involved with her.
Stuart Burns
The aggressive husband of Lainey Burns and owner of Burns Farm, whose volatile nature impacts the community and the plot.
Red McRae
An outspoken local farmer opposed to the wolf project, who undergoes a change of heart and becomes pivotal in Inti's experience in the Highlands.
Number Six, “Ash”
A female wolf and leader of the Abernathy Pack, whose survival journey closely intertwines with Inti's own personal battles.
Number Ten
A bold and aggressive female wolf from the Glenshee Pack, introduced into the narrative as a potential threat due to her fearlessness around humans.
272
Novel • Fiction
Scotland • Contemporary
2021
Adult
18+ years
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