Wolf Girl by Doniga Markegard

What an odd spring this has been. The winter weather on the mountain was mild and sporadic. It probably will mean a decimation of the insect population, which is always a double-edged sword. I'll be happy for less mosquitoes and hornets, but it will also mean less pollinators for my flowers.

Then my daffodils bloomed in February. Then we were all placed in isolation. This has been a very unique spring indeed. The whole mood of it kind of really suits what I've been reading.

Wolf Girl is a story about nature and how we fit in with nature. That subject had already been a lot on my mind with the extremely fluctuating temperatures and my flowers blossoming early. Would they survive the snows that were still falling in March?

Doniga tells her story of falling from her horse and going to that place only those in near fatal accidents can experience. This left a hole inside of her. I wanted to read her story because my husband has the similar hole that is only filled when he experiences nature. I want to understand that place better, but I'm limited with my inexperience.

This book was beautifully written. Doniga carries us through her troubled teens with explicit examples of bad decisions and depression without bogging us down with the emotions. We can share in her struggle through learning and healing. She shows us the start of a family and teaching the new generation how to be aware of the nature that surrounds us, of something far older and longer lived than us.

I also really appreciated the inclusion of some diary entries along with the idyllic prose. At times the story can get a little hippy-dippy, but mostly natural realism takes the center stage.

As with all things in life, there are sections I could leave on the editing floor and find the book more pleasant, but as it is, it remains an excellent book that I will highly recommend everyone read.

We need to connect more to nature, and I'm hoping that the isolation experience will be a stepping stone for everyone that has been forced to disconnect. I pray that the world takes a look at the bounty we have been given in spending time with ourselves.