Empire of Wild

A Novel

By: Cherie Dimaline

Narrated by: Michelle St. John

Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

“Deftly written, gripping and informative. Empire of Wild is a rip-roaring read!” (Margaret Atwood, from Instagram)

“Empire of Wild is doing everything I love in a contemporary novel and more. It is tough, funny, beautiful, honest and propulsive - all the while telling a story that needs to be told by a person who needs to be telling it.” (Tommy Orange, author of There There)

A bold and brilliant new indigenous voice in contemporary literature makes her American debut with this kinetic, imaginative, and sensuous fable inspired by the traditional Canadian Métis legend of the Rogarou - a werewolf-like creature that haunts the roads and woods of native people’s communities.

Joan has been searching for her missing husband, Victor, for nearly a year - ever since that terrible night they’d had their first serious argument hours before he mysteriously vanished. Her Métis family has lived in their tightly knit rural community for generations, but no one keeps the old ways...until they have to. That moment has arrived for Joan. 

One morning, grieving and severely hungover, Joan hears a shocking sound coming from inside a revival tent in a gritty Walmart parking lot. It is the unmistakable voice of Victor. Drawn inside, she sees him. He has the same face, the same eyes, the same hands, though his hair is much shorter and he's wearing a suit. But he doesn't seem to recognize Joan at all. He insists his name is Eugene Wolff, and that he is a reverend whose mission is to spread the word of Jesus and grow His flock. Yet Joan suspects there is something dark and terrifying within this charismatic preacher who professes to be a man of God...something old and very dangerous. 

Joan turns to Ajean, an elderly foul-mouthed card shark who is one of the few among her community steeped in the traditions of her people and knowledgeable about their ancient enemies. With the help of the old Métis and her peculiar Johnny-Cash-loving, 12-year-old nephew Zeus, Joan must find a way to uncover the truth and remind Reverend Wolff who he really is...if he really is. Her life, and those of everyone she loves, depends upon it. 

©2020 Cherie Dimaline (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Ends strong, worth finishing

Beginning was slow, but it picks up and then I couldnt wait till the next time I was in the car to listen. Filled with cultural references which was perfect because I'm trying to learn of other literature and cultural markers for my literature classes. I'm reading literature from First nation writers. I know mostly African American literature and want to expand. The story was riveting. more of an adult read.

great storytelling

I really, really enjoyed this book. The narrator is really good, and the story really engaging and keeps drawing you in. I also liked the chapters that gave more context and personality to the other characters, which on a whole drove the story really well and helped make connections for the reader/listener.

Ending was open ended and disappointing

I like the writer- the end bothered me after such a great story! I am reading the Marrow Thieves now and it made me want to quit in case the ending of that book is just as disappointing! I guess you could say its the journey not the destination??

Really wanted to love this book

The narrator was great, the story left much to be desired... okay read, if you are looking for a short adventure.

Almost had it…

The story is there. The characters are there. I grew up in Ontario and the setting resonated authentically. Yet somehow the writing feels like it’s trying a little too hard and the book feels like it just barely missed its mark. It’s hard to explain in specifics but at the end it felt like it could have been more. The creature itself was my biggest struggle. I went in thinking I was getting a story that would be rich in indigenous lore, especially since the story starts off. Instead this creature is cajun? Or wait….it’s German? And maybe that was the point, the character is Métis so the mixing of lore could be intentionally symbolic but I like a monster story that feels like maybe just maybe…it could be real and this one didn’t.

Maybe I’m disappointed because I wanted something that took me back to that creeped out feeling I would get where I grew up on the edge of the Boreal Forest waiting for my school bus in the pitch black dark on a freezing cold morning with the Northern Lights on full display and it would feel like something was in the bush watching me. Whatever that thing wasn’t it wasn’t some French/German/Evangelical douchebag businessman.

I hope the author writes another book because I really do think everything is there to create something that could really knock your socks off. The kind of story that sticks to a reader for a life time.

Fascinating story

The setting is sllghtly familiar, but not really. There is enough "newness" and definitely strange twists to keep me listening hard as I drove. After meeting some interesting characters I want to know What Happens Next?

Marvelously entertaining tale.

Great narrative marvelously narrated! Would be great to hear or read about more native tales even if not directly linked to any of these characters.

Riveting, scary, funny, and beautifully told

Wow! I don’t even know where to start! The dialogue made me feel like I was sitting and listening to my own aunties. The story was so unique and beautifully woven together. It was scary, funny and exciting to listen to. Please tell me there are more to come. I appreciate that it represented native story Michelle St John did an awesome job narrating. Bravo

I loved it!

I couldn't stop listening to it. I can't wait for more. please let there be more.

Gorgeous poetic writing, excellent story

Bought this on a whim and so enjoyed it on many levels. The writing was just beautiful - truly poetic at turns. The characters were unique and flawed and strong and vulnerable. Downloading Marrow thieves now.