Review: Treat Us Like Dogs and We Will Become Wolves

Treat Us Like Dogs and We Will Become Wolves, by Carolyn Chute

This is a tough book to read, partly because of its writing style, and partly because of its subject matter.

But first off, I have to say I enjoy Chute's work. She is an excellent writer -- vividly descriptive, with enticing characters and wonderful dialogue. She know her subject matter: the white working class of rural Maine, who work and live in poverty, but on their own terms. It's a unique perspective she gives, often from the inside, as it's a culture and lifestyle she daily surrounds herself with.

So what make it difficult to read? Well, first off, it's the book's structure -- divided into three parts, with each a separate story line that somehow intertwines with other parts of the book. It's the writing style, with various stories told from the multiple perspectives of those who are involved, sometimes intimately, sometimes from a distance of space and time. It's her fondness for description, often redundant, but with the result of deep knowledge of those who populate the book.

Overall, it's a long and sometimes densely written novel, with one main character but many side characters who come and go. But I am glad I read it, as it gave me a lot to think about.

Generally, the book is about Gordon St. Onge, a charismatic fellow who runs a settlement outside of Egypt, Maine. A local reporter -- a punkish, hippie-type, young woman with a sarcastic bent -- decides she will somehow look into reports/rumors/tips of child abuse, multiple marriages, militias, and other problems inside the camp. The second parts delves more inside the camp, with a young artist named Bree, and with the impact she has. The third part is about a militia -- or perhaps multiple militias? -- that are a part of and/or outside the group. (I told you it's a bit confusing. Things happen seemingly at random. Story lines pop up and disappear, and are sometimes resolved. Or not.)

But through all of this, Chute writes sympathetically about the characters and their lives. Often, such people are treated with disdain or as mere stereotypes. But Chute flushes out the people and their issues, and gives us characters with strengths and flaws and thoughts that often are untold.

It's by no means a perfect book, and it'll take a while to get through it -- it's nearly 700 pages, it's neither not quick nor light reading -- but it's worth the effort.