He had also taken up photography as a hobby. The story is filled with beautiful descriptions of Frank’s transcendent experiences in nature. The old white man who raised him and taught him everything he knows has died and left him the farm and accompanying wilderness. This last book continues the story of a now older Frank Starlight. It’s something Richard wanted to explore through the main character. This is ultimately a tale of recovery from trauma by the power of human connection to the natural world and each other. Beautifully written, this profoundly moving story is about the redemptive power of love, mercy, compassion, and the land’s ability to heal. Only 61 years of age, he died in his sleep before he could complete it. I also read Starlight, his final, and unfortunately unfinished novel. This was something Wagamese had been grappling with throughout his own life, from both perspectives-as a young boy and later as a father to his own sons. This emotionally charged story is an attempt at a reconciliation between a seemingly irresponsible absent father and his disappointed hurt son. It’s the story of young Frank who reluctantly agrees to help his extremely ill biological father, Eldon, a stranger to him, complete a journey into the wilderness to a special location where he wants to die in the traditional Indian way. Richard Wagamese’s skills as a soulful storyteller and consummate wordsmith grew with each successive novel.
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