Parodies of International Marketability,

I finally managed to read the 2006 Costa Book of the Year, The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney.

It is 1867, Canada and there’s been a murder. Jim Taggart is 58 years away from being born on the wrong side of the Atlantic. The victim is Mrs Ross’s next door neighbour and her son has vanished. Basically, Mrs Ross must solve the murder herself to clear the name of her son.

The Tenderness of Wolves is wonderfully written, there are so many well-developed characters. Each chapter focuses on a different character and these characters have several chapters dedicated to them, only Mrs Ross’ chapters are told through the first person. The style works well, and the killer is only revealed in the final pages of a 450 page epic.

The setting challenges our imagination and modern perception of time and distance. Travel between villages is an ordeal that lasts days in horrendous conditions. Stef Penney manages to capture this, yet does not allow the story to be slow and arduous to read.

The Tenderness of Wolves is a marvellous book and I’d recommend it to all, it’s apt for enjoyment or study.