No time for social niceties

~ The Hunger, by Alma Katsu ~

This historical fiction novel tells the story of families of pioneers in wagon trains setting out from Springfield, Illinois, on 15th April 1846, attempting to reach California for a new life. The novel is based on the real story of the Donner Party group, which split from the larger Russell Party to take a new ‘cut off’ (i.e. short cut route) that they had heard about – told by Lansford Hastings, whom it turned out was a charlatan – which was supposed shave 300 miles off the journey. Their willingness to commit and risk so much on this unreliable promise eventually cost the lives of half the group which did not survive the perishing conditions and lack of provisions.

The novel tracks the Donner Party wagon train through stunning (and unforgiving) landscapes of desiccated salt lakes, scrub prairie, mountain passes, the forests of the Wasatch mountains, etc. They drive oxen, carry as much by way of provisions as they can, and take whole families, even the very young. Many interesting and strong characters emerge in this narrative, and their relationships, alliances, and enmities are well sketched and riveting. The background stories of quite a number of protagonists are also well written, convincing, touching. The brutalities of life under such conditions of deprivation, despair, starvation, and intense fear, rapidly strip away the veneer of civilisation. The unfolding tale is raw, bloody; events are swift; bodies fall like flies. And yet, the novel never indulges in the violent for its own sake – violence and brutality seems just part of the land and landscape, which shapes or at least colours the needs and actions of the people who traverse it. In fact, the tone of the writing is unsentimental, slightly dispassionate even, but highly engaged.

Very early on in the story, there emerges that something is apparently stalking this party; something which preys on, kills, and consumes humans. At first it seems demonic; insanity and wild behaviour and unexplained attacks are thrown into the mix early, giving rise to hostility, suspicion, and blaming. There is a lovely balance in this novel which manages to depict how the normal human pettiness, dislikes, envies, malice of everyday life are exacerbated rather than eliminated or put aside when things get tough, and even when a common and pressing danger threatens.

People exploit the negative in each other for personal advantage, even in the face of impending death, and human life becomes increasingly precarious as the journey continues. Factions form and reform, family groups are strongest, there are those who make tremendous personal sacrifice with courage and those who exploit and abuse others with the impunity the situation affords them. The tensions and terrors of the journey are as painful to the travelers as the hunger and illnesses and injuries which dog them. The mystery is gradually resolved as the explanation begins to emerge, thankfully taking this firmly from the surreal to the real.

It is fascinating to read of what drives each key character, their faiths and sources of inner strengths, their reasons for striving to survive, when giving up would be by far the easier and maybe saner choice. Attachments blossom over and over again, even in such testing landscapes and under such extreme conditions. People fall back on whatever resources their backgrounds have given them, which fuel and facilitate their continued struggle to survive, from moment to moment and day to day – knowledges, skills, stories, memories, faiths, experiences. Luxuries are soon lost, as much so as the belongings (furniture, tools, clothes, toys, personal treasures) many families are forced to simply abandon on the trail and walk away from. Social niceties are also soon stripped away, even common decency and humanity increasingly compromised and rendered uncommon, but principles and morals, loves and loyalties are retained by some, to whatever end.

A well written, well considered, well judged novel in all, just this side of harrowing.