Kim Heacox

I started this book as an audiobook and realized quickly that the words were going by faster than I could absorb--and that they really needed my attention. Maybe because I am elderly myself, and wondering when the end is coming, that "dying was an art when done right, and no final act should be withut mystery and grace." (p.35).
Beyond any personal relevance this book was excellent reading, with a reference to Prairie Home Companion in "Nystad's If We Ain't Got It You Don't Need It Mercantile show more and General Supply." I enjoyed Keb's humorous way of dealing with a fading memory for recent events (while living so much in his younger memories and native language): "move to the big office in Albuquerque, Albany, Atlanta, Atlantis, some place far to the east," or his ice cream choice Death By Chocolate and he's still living--"next time he'd try a double scoop". I can appreciate his need to take off his shoes. I love that this book shows us the power of community, Keb's love for (and unique way of relating to) his grandson, and that it is worth reviving traditions that have been set aside.
The story has comic moments, like how different types of assistance came for the canoe journey, but that's OK to have some light-heartedness among the sincerity. It's a small town, and everyone is a character.
I kind of wonder if Heacock put himself in the story as Truman, the hippy from New York with his never-ending revisions of his novel (p.28 & 48). show less

“Nature doesn't lie. It might not tell you what you want to hear. It might be a brutal truth. But it is the truth.”

“A damn good way to die. In a boat.”

”I've been dying for twenty years,“ Keb said. “I'm taking my time so I don't miss anything.”

Keb Wisting is ninety-five. Part Norwegian, part Tlingit Native. He is a canoe wood-carver, in southeast Alaska.
He is in poor health and playing out his days, until his teenage grandson, a rising basketball star is badly injured.
The boy show more also gets into deep trouble with some locals. This sparks, Old Keb into action and he begins to construct a final canoe.
With this canoe, he is going to take his grandson and go on, a final, journey, back to Keb's ancestral, birthplace. The chase begins as the authorities are also on their trail, with all their fancy, high-tech gear.
This is a terrific story, filled with wisdom and adventure. A gallery of colorful characters and a beautiful sense of place. I love reading books set in Alaska and this is one of my favorites, plus Old Keb, is an unforgettable creation and someone I would love to have a few beers with. show less

Keb Wisting is the 95-year-old (or thereabouts) protagonist of this outstanding and finely detailed book set in southeast Alaska. He is born of Norwegian and Tlingit parents, raised by his Uncle Austin listening to Native Alaskan stories while living close to the earth, water, and mountains of this beautiful state. Keb has led a full life but is now ready to die. He has lost his beloved wife and three sons and is left with two daughters who don't get along for political reasons. He longs to show more go out in the woods, lay down in the moss, and die. But when he learns his grandson has been severely injured in a logging accident, he knows he has some more living to do.

Keb has no patience when his grandson enters a deep funk because his promising basketball career is over. He challenges him to help in the building of a cedar dugout canoe in the Tlingit tradition. This leads to fascinating reading that captured my imagination along with the participation of the entire community. The canoe gives James hope for the future and gives Keb a reason to live a little longer. Keb not only helps his family and community focus on something besides their own problems, he is reacquainted with a young woman whose life he saved years ago when she was a child. She is now a marine biologist studying whales who can't overcome her troubled childhood.

The magic of Alaska and the mystical elements of the Tlingit culture can work wonders in the lives of lost souls. An epic journey with some very interesting side characters, a lovable mutt named Steve, and the presence of Raven make this book not only a good story but also a great book. show less

I found this book through the list of National Outdoor Book Award (Outdoor Literature (Fiction), 2015). I saw that very few fiction books had won awards, so I decided to give this a try.

Wow- outstanding.

Old Keb, the Tlingit elder, sees death beginning to wait for him, as well as seeing a mystical raven alerting him something is up.

When Keb's grandson James loses his prospects at professional basketball due to a logging accident, James falls deep into depression. Keb decides to carve one show more last traditional canoe with his grandson and take one last journey, to a glacial bay where Keb grew up, and which is now part of a National Marine Refuge. Keb, James, two of James’ friends and a dog who thinks he might be a lizard – or a dinosaur- slip quietly away in the canoe.

It soon seems like all of Alaska is looking for Keb and his canoe.

They immediately become the subject of an all-out government search due to the fear that the trip will bring unwanted publicity for Tlingit issues surrounding the Marine reserve. The government does this under the guise of bringing Keb back for his own safety.

Others want to find him to wish him well and to speed him on this final voyage.

There is also an evil element hunting him due to things James said about the logging accident.

But Keb has lived on these waters for almost ninety years and this wise old man isn’t as easy to catch as might be guessed.

This book is both humorous and touching – with a lot of knowledge of Alaska’s world and wildlife (oh the whales!) and the Tlingit way of life – which in many ways is both similar and different to small town life everywhere.

This will be one of my favorite books of the year. If you don’t see me for a while, perhaps I’ve headed off to Alaska. That’s just how good this book is. show less