Deer Season

In 1985, during deer season in Gunthrum, Nebraska, a teenage girl goes missing, and Hal Bullard, an intellectually disabled farmhand, returns with a flimsy story. Alma and her husband are forced to confront Hal's potential capabilities, as rumors fly and townspeople see his violent past in a new light. Deer Season is a drama that explores troubling questions about how far people will go to safeguard the ones they love and what it means to be a family.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2021
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Winner of the 2022 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Novel, Deer Season takes place in the small town of Gunthrum, Nebraska, during the opening weekend of deer season in 1985. Alma Costigan, a farmhand with intellectual disabilities, accompanies some locals on a hunting trip, leaving her frustrated. Meanwhile, a teenage girl goes missing, and Hal returns with a questionable explanation involving blood in his truck and a dent near the headlight. As the situation escalates from a missing girl case to something more sinister, Alma and her husband are compelled to confront the possibility that Hal may be capable of unimaginable acts. Rumors spread, and the townspeople begin to see Hal's violent past in a new light, challenging their perceptions of him and his family.

Deer Season is a powerful drama that delves into the intricate relationships among the residents of a small-town farming community. It raises troubling questions about the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love and what it truly means to be a family. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a tense and suspenseful atmosphere, as the townspeople grapple with the possibility of a dangerous individual lurking within their midst.

The characters in Deer Season are well-developed and relatable, with their flaws and complexities adding depth to the narrative. Alma, the protagonist, is a strong and determined woman who faces incredible challenges in caring for her intellectually disabled farmhand, Hal. She is forced to confront her own limitations and doubts as she tries to navigate the increasingly dangerous situation. Hal, on the other hand, is a complex character who struggles with his own demons and the weight of his past. His actions and behavior raise questions about his capacity for empathy and his ability to make moral decisions.

The setting of Deer Season in the small town of Gunthrum, Nebraska, adds to the authenticity and atmosphere of the story. The townspeople are portrayed as hardworking and resilient, but also deeply rooted in their traditions and values. The hunting season serves as a metaphor for the tensions and conflicts that arise within the community, as the hunters compete for prized deer and the townspeople worry about the safety of their loved ones.

Deer Season is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that explores the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of our actions. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of literature to shed light on the darker aspects of human nature. Whether you are a fan of literary fiction or simply seeking a compelling and engaging story, Deer Season is a must-read that will leave you thinking long after you have finished the last page.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496226815