In 'Beartooth,' brothers embark on an illicit journey into Yellowstone National Park

Summary

NPR's Book of the Day: In 'Beartooth,' Brothers Embark on an Illicit Journey into Yellowstone National Park

Release Date: March 27, 2025
Host: Andrew Limbong
Author: Callan Wink

---

Introduction

In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, host Andrew Limbong delves into Callan Wink's latest novel, "Beartooth." The podcast offers an in-depth exploration of the book's themes, characters, and the inspirations behind its gritty portrayal of the American West. Through a compelling conversation between Wink and NPR's Peter O'Dowd, listeners gain valuable insights into the motivations driving the characters and the realities of life on the fringes of Yellowstone National Park.

---

Synopsis of "Beartooth"

"Beartooth" centers on two brothers, Thad and Hazen, who find themselves grappling with dire financial straits following their father's death. Living near the majestic yet unforgiving Yellowstone National Park, the brothers are confronted with mounting medical bills and a deteriorating family cabin. In a bid to salvage their home and future, they embark on a perilous and illegal quest within the park's boundaries.

Peter O'Dowd highlights the novel's authentic depiction of Montana, contrasting it with the often glamorized versions seen in popular media. The New York Times praised "Beartooth" as "impressive," suggesting that fans of the hit TV show Yellowstone might prefer Wink's more nuanced literary take over the screen adaptation.

---

Author Insights and Inspirations

Andrew Limbong introduces Callan Wink by reflecting on the romanticized versus the gritty reality of the American West. Wink echoes this sentiment, emphasizing his commitment to portraying the "real west."

Inspiration Behind the Story

Callan Wink reveals that the novel's premise was inspired by a tale he overheard in a bar:

"[02:17] 'I heard that some guys, maybe in the 80s, packed a raft into the back country of Yellowstone park and gathered elk antlers and floated out under the cover of darkness. Highly illegal. So I always thought it was a great premise for a novel...'"

He admits uncertainty about the story's veracity but chose to use it as a foundation for a mythic narrative that explores desperation and survival.

Setting: Yellowstone National Park

Wink's deep connection to Montana and Yellowstone is evident. He describes the Abzarka Beartooth Wilderness as a vast, unforgiving landscape that serves as both a physical and metaphorical frontier for his characters.

"[04:03] 'Yellowstone park is... a vast stretch of country and it's easy to get lost back there and, you know, kind of live as the brothers in this novel do, sort of on the margins of what would be considered more normal civilization.'"

His personal experiences as a fly fishing guide on the Yellowstone River infuse the novel with authentic environmental details, enhancing the story's realism.

---

Character Development: Thad and Hazen

The heart of "Beartooth" lies in the complex relationship between the two brothers.

Thad: The Responsible Older Brother

Thad shoulders the burden of financial crisis and familial responsibility. His character embodies the struggle to maintain stability in the face of adversity.

Hazen: The Unreliable Younger Brother

In contrast, Hazen represents impulsiveness and a lack of foresight. Wink intentionally avoids diagnosing Hazen with any specific condition, presenting him as someone who doesn't fit neatly into societal expectations.

"[08:34] 'Thad is the older brother and feels this responsibility to not only get them out of their financial situation, but keep an eye on his younger brother, Hazen, who is sort of prone to making rash decisions.'"

The dynamic between Thad and Hazen evolves as both characters confront their limitations and the pressures of their circumstances, ultimately leading them down divergent paths.

---

Themes Explored in "Beartooth"

Desperation and Ethical Boundaries

The novel examines how extreme financial and emotional stress can blur moral lines. The brothers' illicit activities within Yellowstone reflect their desperation, challenging readers to empathize with their plight despite their transgressions.

"[09:44] 'Their father would have severely disapproved of this activity that they're getting up to, but it comes back to that sense of desperation and the way that can work on your sense of ethics...' [Callan Wink, 09:44]"

Nature and Humanity

Wink weaves intricate comparisons between the natural world and human existence, suggesting a deeper interconnectedness.

"[05:41] 'There was something about nature that was twice told. The human vascular system resembled the drainages of mountains...' [Callan Wink, 05:41]"

This passage underscores the novel's exploration of patterns and the inherent similarities between humans and the natural environment.

---

Highlighted Passage

In a poignant moment, Wink describes the brothers' awe of their surroundings, blending scientific observation with philosophical musings:

"[05:41] 'The human vascular system resembled the drainages of mountains, resembled the branching prongs of lightning... Maybe it meant something, maybe it didn't. The human mind was a register of patterns.'"

This excerpt encapsulates the novel's introspective tone and its contemplation of humanity's place within the vastness of nature.

---

Author's Perspective and Message

In the concluding segments of the interview, Wink expresses his intent to provide a realistic portrayal of Montana, countering the often superficial representations seen in Hollywood.

"[10:30] 'On one hand, I wanted this to be an entertaining kind of quick read. It's not a very long novel, but if nothing else, sort of maybe a more realistic portrait of Montana as I know it that may differ somewhat from recent portrayals of Montana and Hollywood.'"

Through "Beartooth," Wink seeks to shed light on the everyday struggles of individuals living on the outskirts of society, offering readers a window into a world seldom depicted with such depth and authenticity.

---

Conclusion

NPR's discussion with Callan Wink about "Beartooth" provides a comprehensive look into the novel's creation, themes, and the stark realities it portrays. By focusing on the intricate relationship between two desperate brothers and their illicit endeavors within Yellowstone National Park, Wink crafts a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. This episode serves as an invitation to readers seeking a meaningful exploration of human resilience and ethical ambiguity set against the backdrop of the rugged American West.

---

Notable Quotes

• Callan Wink [02:17]: "I heard that some guys, maybe in the 80s, packed a raft into the back country of Yellowstone park and gathered elk antlers and floated out under the cover of darkness. Highly illegal. So I always thought it was a great premise for a novel..."

• Callan Wink [05:41]: "The human vascular system resembled the drainages of mountains... Maybe it meant something, maybe it didn't. The human mind was a register of patterns."

• Callan Wink [07:08]: "I have a deep love for the Yellowstone River... it's the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states."

• Callan Wink [10:30]: "On one hand, I wanted this to be an entertaining kind of quick read... a more realistic portrait of Montana as I know it that may differ somewhat from recent portrayals of Montana and Hollywood."

---

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections of the podcast have been excluded to focus solely on the substantive discussion surrounding the book "Beartooth."

Transcript

[Andrew Limbong]

Hey, it's NPR's Book of the Day. I'm Andrew Limbong. It's easy to be romanced by the American West. You know, I'm an East coast city person, born and raised in New York. And so I've always thought about the west as this mythical, beautiful place with nothing but the sky and your dreams. But of course, reality is a lot grittier than that. Calan Wink's novel Beartooth is committed to showing the real west, the true west, if you will. The book follows these two brothers who are broke, living near Yellowstone National Park. And Callan tells here in Nun's Peter O'Dowd that that part of America has recently been perceived as a playground for rich people, but there are real people there who can be driven to desperate ends. That's coming up.

[Audrey Evans]

This message comes from Blue Harbor Entertainment with Audrey's Children, starring Natalie Dormer. The untold true story of Dr. Audrey Evans, whose fight for change redefined medicine and continues to impact the lives of millions. After being recruited to an elite Children's Hospital in 1969, Evans refused to accept the futility of current therapies and pioneered life saving treatments. She was also the co founder of Ronald McDonald House Charities, only in theaters March 28.

[Callan Wink]

This message comes from Insperity, providing HR services and technology from payroll benefits and HR compliance to talent development. Learn [e-mail] hrmatters the new novel Beartooth.

[Peter O'Dowd]

Is about two brothers living on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. They're also living on the edge of desperation. Their father has died, the medical bills have piled up, the roof on the family cabin is leaking. To keep their home, the brothers embark on a journey into the park that will put their lives and their future at even greater risk. The New York Times calls Beartooth impressive and says fans of the hit TV show Yellowstone should skip the screen and check out this book instead. Author Callan Wink joins me now. Callan, welcome and congratulations.

[Callan Wink]

Thank you for having me, Peter. Great to be here.

[Peter O'Dowd]

All right. So tell me about the inspiration for this story. It sounds like you may have heard a yarn at a bar one night and then that led you to write this book.

[Callan Wink]

Yeah, I think so. I probably spend more time in bars than I should. And you hear a lot of interesting stories. I heard that some guys, maybe in the 80s, something like that, packed a raft into the back country of Yellowstone park and gathered elk antlers and floated out under the COVID of darkness. Highly illegal. So I always thought it was a great premise for a novel, although you.

[Peter O'Dowd]

Don'T Know if it's true or not.

[Callan Wink]

I really have no idea. I kind of. I never looked it up. I just wanted it to be sort of this like, mythic tale.

[Peter O'Dowd]

Yeah, but you know, I didn't realize how valuable something like that could be. Elk antlers?

[Callan Wink]

Yeah, it's. There's a market for them. I mean, many people gather them legally outside of the park and then sell them. People use them for all sorts of things. You know, large, kind of ornate chandeliers and things like that.

[Peter O'Dowd]

I'm glad you mentioned that because these two brothers, Thad and Hazen, they're kind of desperate. They're living on the edge. Their father has died of cancer. He's left behind these huge medical bills. There's unpaid taxes on the house. These are not the fantastically wealthy newcomers to Montana with the elk chandeliers that we often hear so much about.

[Callan Wink]

Yes, that is something I was pretty interested in in writing this book. I mean, I've been in Montana for over 20 years and it's seen it change quite a bit. It sometimes feels like it's becoming the playground for the rich. But you know, most of the people I know are living a little closer to the edge. And the characters of my story are kind of like one unforeseen bill away from catastrophe.

[Peter O'Dowd]

And yet they live in this spectacular place right on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. Talk about that, the park as a place and what your relationship with it is like.

[Callan Wink]

Yeah, I mean, Yellowstone park is of course, just kind of a otherworldly place of beauty and also harsh. I do live fairly close to it and I've spent a lot of time there over the years. In particular, the Abzarka Beartooth Wilderness, where much of this book is set, is the largest wilderness area above 10,000ft in the lower 48 states. So it's just a vast stretch of country and it's easy to get lost back there and, you know, kind of live as the brothers in this novel do, sort of on the margins of what would be considered more normal civilization.

[Peter O'Dowd]

Right. You're a fly fishing guide as well as being an author in this part of the country on the Yellowstone River. How is that exploring experience influenced what you write about?

[Callan Wink]

I have a deep love for the Yellowstone River. It's a really huge dynamic waterway, the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states. So it's an amazing resource and I'm lucky enough to spend most of my days in the summer on it. That being said, there's this section of the river in Yellowstone park where A lot of the action of the novel takes place that is off limits to floating. And as someone who likes boating and running rivers, it's always just had this kind of place in my mind of forbidden area that I would love to go down in a boat someday. But since I can't do it in real life, I explored it in my novel.

[Peter O'Dowd]

Oh, that's so interesting. In fact, I think I'd love it if you could read a passage from your book. And I think the one I'm interested in is when Thad and Hazen are standing near the banks of the river in that area that you're describing that they're not supposed to be in. Could you read us a passage?

[Callan Wink]

Oh, sure. There was something about nature that was twice told. The human vascular system resembled the drainages of mountains, resembled the branching prongs of lightning, of a lightning strike, resembled the xylem and phloem of trees, from roots all the way to the lacework veins of the leaves. It was something Thad had thought about but had never been able to pin down. In the fall, the red and gold and copper of the streamside alders and cottonwoods and willows were reflected in the spawning colors of the brown trout. It was almost enough to instill some sort of faith in a creator, some sort of guiding hand, an artist with a limited palette. Things were so remarkably similar when it seemed like they should be more different. When stripped of hide and hair, a bare skeleton looked eerily like a human form. The color of certain sunsets were the colors of fire devouring wood. The sparks sent up to the sky perfect replicas of stars. Maybe it meant something, maybe it didn't. The human mind was a register of patterns. Whether or not those patterns existed outside the brain itself was another matter altogether.

[Peter O'Dowd]

Wow. I've heard that comparison to that a human skeleton and a bear skeleton look oddly similar when all the flesh has been stripped away. And I know when I. When I've heard that in the past, I'm thinking, like, why in the world would that be? Or how could that be? I think you're really revealing some of the mysteries of the natural world.

[Callan Wink]

Yeah, I mean, in my college years, I took a lot of science and biology classes, and I think that passage in particular stems from that. Just these sort of constant similarities. You know, it seems like there's just always echoes. Everything echoes everything else in the natural world. And Thad in this case is sort of wondering, like, you know, could that mean some sort of guiding hand at work?

[Peter O'Dowd]

Hmm. Let's talk about the relationship between these two brothers, Thad and Hazen, why did you choose to focus on these siblings? Is that something that you have a personal experience with that you wanted to explore?

[Callan Wink]

No, kind of the opposite, in fact. I have two sisters. I think I've always wanted a brother. You know, some of my friends growing up had brothers that were close in age, and I spent a lot of time with them and playing basketball and things like that in the summer. And it always seemed like within 10 minutes there was a fist fight going on between the brothers, and they were always there.

[Peter O'Dowd]

You wanted that?

[Callan Wink]

In a lot of ways I did. I wanted that. I never had it, so. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Peter O'Dowd]

I mean, it's. I mean, whether they're brothers or sisters or whatever, it does seem like they suffer from something that a lot of siblings do suffer from, and that is, you know, the story they tell about themselves. Thad is the responsible one. Hazen is the opposite. He's unreliable. What kind of trouble does that cause them when they have that narrative about themselves, about their family dynamics?

[Callan Wink]

Yeah, I think a lot of the dynamic between the brothers. Thad is the older brother and feels this responsibility to not only get them out of their financial situation, but keep an eye on his younger brother, Hazen, who is sort of prone to making rash decisions. I never wanted him to be a character who is easily, like, you could diagnose with having something, whatever that means. He is a character who probably doesn't excel in some of the constraints of modern society. And so Thad feels very much like he needs to take care of Hazen in certain ways. And over the course of the book, both of the characters sort of break out of the relationship that they've had for so long and go their own way a little bit.

[Peter O'Dowd]

Yeah. And over the course of the book, they make poor decisions that I'm sure. Yeah.

[Callan Wink]

Yes, exactly.

[Peter O'Dowd]

The author, you know, a naturalist would frown upon. In real life, they're hunting bears out of season. They cut their gallbladders from money. They're stealing these natural artifacts from the most beautiful natural park on earth. But you don't seem to judge them for that. Is that. And I think that's important. Do you think that's fair?

[Callan Wink]

Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, their father has recently died, but he is sort of present in the book, especially in Thad's inner kind of life, in that he is this sort of moral compass that is no longer there. You know, their father would have severely disapproved of this activity that they're getting up to, but it comes back to that sense of desperation and the way that can work on your sense of ethics and what you know to be acceptable. It become blurred when when your house is falling down around you and you can't afford to put gas in your car.

[Peter O'Dowd]

Well, and before we let you go, I don't want to give away the ending of this book, but certainly these two characters end up in different places than where they started. What are you trying to leave readers with by the end of this book?

[Callan Wink]

On one hand, I wanted this to be an entertaining kind of quick read. It's not a very long novel, but if nothing else, sort of maybe a more realistic portrait of Montana as I know it that may differ somewhat from recent portrayals of Montana and Hollywood.

[Peter O'Dowd]

Yeah. Callan Wink is the author of Beartooth. It comes out today. Callan, congratulations and thank you for making some time to talk to us about it.

[Callan Wink]

Oh, it was great. Thanks for having me. I appreciate it.

[Audrey Evans]

This message comes from Best Western Hotels and Resorts. From adventures to new places, Best Western has you covered. With over 4,000 hotels worldwide, you're sure to find the right hotel for your next getaway. Life's a trip. Make the most of [e-mail] this message comes from Bombus. Nearly 30% of marathoners end their race blistered. Bombus running socks are strategically cushioned to help. Say bye to blisters. Run to bombus.com NPR and use code NPR for 20% off your first purchase. This message comes from Warby Parker. If you wear glasses, you know how hard it is to find the perfect pair. But step into a Warby Parker store and you'll see it doesn't have to be. Find a Warby Parker store near [e-mail] retail.