Haley’s June Book: The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac

I loved everything about this book. I originally picked up The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac by Sharma Shields expecting a quirky, funny, summer camp type novel. I wanted something seasonal but not taken too seriously. Instead I got a beautifully and thoughtfully written masterpiece that explored generational trauma in a raw, fantastical way while still being funny at times. There is also an uncanny air throughout the novel that keeps things subtly spooky and mysterious. My only regret about reading this book is that the first time I experienced the story was not on a reading retreat in the middle of a forest. I could have devoured it in a day if I were on vacation!

The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac follows Eli Roebuck as his obsession with Sasquatch overtakes his life and impacts those around him. When Eli was a young boy, his mother left their family wandering into the woods with a sasquatch name Mr. Krantz with the intent of never returning. This feeling of abandonment fuels his desire to find Mr. Krantz and prove sasquatch’s existence. Through out the book we see how the abandonment, as well as his obsession, impacts his marriages and his two daughters. There are some raw human moments for Eli when he questions what his true purpose of this hunt is. There are also parts where his daughters are sharing their experience about how their parents have impacted their lives. It’s a beautiful multi-generational story blended with supernatural encounters with fantastical creatures that will keep you on your toes. I highly recommend this as a summer read!

Sharma, if you’re reading this I could use a whole series about the adventures of the fates!