Beartooth : A Novel – Callan Wink

Beartooth: A Novel follows two brothers, Thad and Hazen, living on the edge of Yellowstone in a remote cabin built by their grandfather. Struggling with debt, grief, and the harsh realities of off-grid life, they face a moral crossroads when a shadowy stranger offers them a dangerous opportunity. The story unfolds in the rugged Absaroka-Beartooth mountains, where survival hinges on wit, loyalty, and a deep connection to the unforgiving wilderness.

Callan Wink’s prose captures the raw beauty of the American West, blending visceral descriptions of nature with the brothers’ fragile bond. As tensions rise, the novel explores themes of desperation, revenge, and the blurred line between right and wrong. Critics praise its gripping pacing and emotional depth, comparing it to works by Peter Heller and Donald Ray Pollock.

The brothers’ dynamic drives the narrative—Thad’s pragmatism clashes with Hazen’s instinctual understanding of the wild, creating a tension that mirrors their fight to preserve their home. Wink’s background as a fly-fishing guide in Montana lends authenticity to the setting, making the landscape itself a character.

A finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award, Wink crafts a tale that’s as much about family as it is about survival. The novel’s climax leaves readers questioning the cost of loyalty and the weight of choices made in the name of love.