Hello summer! 🌞 What a treat it was to meet at the Nest to discuss this month's selection, Gunflint Falling, by Cary Griffin! Thank you to everyone who came~ we had a great turnout! Up next for July is Tiny Beautiful Things, by Cheryl Strayed.
Just as a precaution, I wanted to mention that Tiny Beautiful Things, has some pretty foul language throughout. It also has a few spots of semi-graphic sexual content. Also, we do have several copies requested and on the way, but if you have a chance to snag it somewhere else, we would encourage you to do so. If you don't need a copy, or would prefer to sit this one out due to its graphic nature, would you mind letting me know in the comments down below? It helps out a whole heap!
Onward!
On July 4, 1999, in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), a bizarre confluence of meteorological events resulted in the most damaging blowdown in the region’s history. Originating over the Dakotas, the midsummer windstorm developed amid unusually high heat and water-saturated forests and moved steadily east, bearing down on Fargo, North Dakota, and damaging land as it crossed the Minnesota border. Gunflint Falling tells the story of this devastating storm from the perspectives of those who were on the ground before, during, and after the catastrophic event—from first-time visitors to the north woods to returning paddlers to Forest Service Rangers.
By the time the storm began to subside, falling trees had injured approximately sixty people, and most needed to be medivacked to safety. Amazingly, no one died. The historic storm laid down timber that would later blaze in the Ham Lake fire of 2007, ultimately reshaping the region’s forests in ways we have yet to fully understand.
Everyone unanimously felt like this book was far too long, with far too many minute details about irrelevant people. While we understand that working a natural disaster takes a lot of people and resources, it was nearly impossible to keep everyone straight, and in the end, with the exception of the six people primarily highlighted, any other bio's were largely unnecessary. It was said the book is just shy of 300 pages, and it easily could have been half that length had it been written a little more clearly and concisely (much like the epilogue).
One member said she loved that the book took her back to earlier days when she camped and canoed all over the Boundary Waters with friends and family. Many members added that they too have fond memories of time spent in the Boundary Waters. It was said that pictures would have been a nice addition to the book, however, a quick Google search doesn't show much of anything along those lines, so it's possible Mr. Griffin didn't have any to add at the ready.
In the end, we found that there's two different kinds of nonfiction writers and readers. There are those that live for all the details and facts, maybe preferring a more textbook approach to the subject at hand. On the other hand, there are those who want the authenticity to remain intact, but don't want all the names and dates. Don't embellish or lie, but tell the story in a way that pulls one into it, makes them feel the blowdown right along with the main 6 featured individuals.
Which are you? Did we miss a category? Let us know below! 👇
Did you like Gunflint Falling? Fans of the book also enjoyed, The Lightkeepers Daughter, by Jean Pendziwol, The Last Ride of the Pony Express, by Will Grant, and Fox Creek, by William Kent Krueger. All of these titles are available within the Viking Library System~ reserve your copy today!
Would we
recommend this to a friend to read?
"NO"
Would we
recommend this to another book club for discussion?
"NO"
