In all the bleakness: hope Ana K Wrenn continues to write fascinating books with her distinct voice. The Wilding of Em‘s Path is a dystopian novel. It takes current, chilling developments in the US to its bleak, possible conclusions. We now see the blueprint, Wrenn delivers with her novel the new oppressive society which might be build on it. The darkness is balanced by good people and the growing understanding between Cynda/Em, the hermit, and Kadiya, the freedom fighter. There is heartbreak, love, frighteningly familiar scenes, beauty, hope, fears and courage, broken cities, a deep connection to nature and the deep forests of the Appalachians. The first chapters are especially captivating – an impressionistic kaleidoscope of feelings, observations, thoughts, nature introducing the two main characters and the wilderness. A roadtrip leads to discoveries: good, bad, abysmal, love, home, betrayal. Not an easy read, a book that needs to be digested slowly. Don‘t despair though, there are many pockets of hope and beauty. I received an ARC via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.
