"Alive with terror, charm, and mystery." — Madeleine Blais, author of Uphill Walkers
When Catherine Reid returned to the Berkshires to live after decades away, she became fascinated by another recent arrival: the eastern coyote. This tenacious species, which shares some lineage with the wolf, exhibits remarkable adaptability and awe-inspiring survival skills. Coyotes have been spotted in nearly every habitable area available, including urban streets, Central Park, and suburban backyards.
Settling into an old farmhouse with her partner, Reid felt compelled to learn more about this outlaw animal. Her beautifully grounded memoir interweaves personal and natural history to comment on one of the most dramatic wildlife stories of our time. With great appreciation for this scrappy outsider and the ecological concerns its presence brings to light, Reid suggests that we all need to forge a new relationship with this uncannily intelligent species in our midst.
"A captivating read, worthy of joining the pantheon of literary ecological writing." — Booklist
"Enlightening . . . a heartfelt, often poetic case for coexistence between humans and the wild." — Publishers Weekly
"Graceful, intimate, and vibrant prose . . . an important, beautiful book." — Jane Brox, author of Clearing Land
Catherine Reid is a naturalist, teacher, editor, and poet. She lives in an old farmhouse in western Massachusetts.