West

WEST

by Carys Davies

 

Nominations: BookTube Longlist 2019, Rathbones Folio Finalist 2019

 

Date Read: March 30, 2023

 

West is a strange novella about a man, John Bellman, who has recently lost his wife and has found himself frustrated and dissatisfied. He has a daughter, Bess, who is only 12 years old. Bellman encounters a news article that describes bones that were found in Kentucky of a creature that no one has ever laid eyes on and Bellman is instantly obsessed.

 

The bones, from the description in the book, seem to be from a wooly mammoth, which are already extinct when Bellman decides to head west from his farm in Pennsylvania in search of these mysterious creatures. To say his quest is ill-advised would be an understatement. While Bellman knows the journey ahead is treacherous, the loss of his wife compels him to reorient his life focus and do something monumental to begin again.

 

Bellman packs only what is necessary for the journey and what he believes would be of value in trade. His sister, Julie, reluctantly moves into his house to watch over Bess in his absence. To help run the farm, their neighbor Elmer pledges to lend a hand. Bellman believes he has covered all his bases and embarks on his journey with his trusted horse.

 

In his absence, spanning several years, Bess becomes prey to several depraved men in her world, including the manager of the subscription library who lures young Bess to him by providing her with access to the library although she isn’t a subscriber. She is also sought out by Elmer who uses his proximity to his aunt to gain her trust and ultimately attempts to rape her. Fortunately, both men are unsuccessful in their attempts to molest her. She is just a child!

 

Bellman hires an Indian guide who he nicknames Old Woman. This young man leads him through treacherous territory in exchange for the minor treasures Bellman has packed for the journey – his late wife’s shirt, a thimble, a knitting needle. Each setback requires Bellman to up the ante. When Bellman becomes perilously ill, his guide does everything within his power to save his life, however, Bellman ultimately succumbs.

 

After he passes, the Indian guide agrees to deliver Bellman’s effects, including letters to Bess that were pledged to be delivered but never were. Old Woman’s timing is impeccable, because just at his arrival is the moment Elmer has decided to make his move on Bess and is in the process of attempting to rape her when Old Woman saves her.

 

Although this is an interesting take on the past, what stood out for me was the precariousness of finding one’s way through the world. One of the gentlemen who was giving the Indian guide directions showed him a creek, trees and a cabin. How one was ever expected to travel a long distance and find where they are attempting to go with such meager instructions is beyond me. Nevertheless, people did find their way.

 

Known primarily for her short stories, Davies has constructed a novel of loss and survival that brings all of its characters to the brink of their existence. Well-constructed and well-received.