John Straley: The Woman Who Married a Bear

“There is a story about a human being who marries a bear…
How does it end?
Depends…on where you are…on who the bear is”

This story takes us into the heart of Sitka Alaska, the darker heart. Interlaced with lyrical observations of time and place we have a man convicted of murder.

The victim’s mother wants to know why her son was murdered.  A Tlingit Indian, she is unwilling to accept the motive presented to the court.

Enter private investigator of sorts, Cecil Younger. He’s recovering from the end of a relationship and more often, recovering from a drinking binge.

John Straley’s The Woman Who Married A Bear, confers a dramatic, expressive view of Alaska. From the snow in the air, the fog on the water, to the smell of fish and pine. All of it is presented in a way that makes you slow down. It’s a fine book, take your time, take it in.

~ June Lorraine