Hides

by Rod Moody-Corbett

Hides is a novel of family and politics that distinguishes itself through its careful intermingling of seriousness and comedy, and its surreal but eerily plausible setting.  As wildfires rage across Alberta and another federal election looms, four friends convene for a week-long wilderness hunting trip at a secluded hunting facility called The Castle, located in northwestern Newfoundland and operated by an enigmatic ornithologist, Dr. Judith Muir. The narrator of Hides figures as a reluctant conscript on the trip, travelling out of a guilty sense of loyalty and obligation, forced to commemorate—in a way he finds morally ghoulish—the death of his best friend’s son, who was killed across the country in a mass shooting the year before. The novel’s themes coalesce around the emotional ruptures wrought of a violent, untimely death. The characters struggle to retain a sense of purpose and hope amid a world suffused with familial anguish and guilt, loss, betrayal, and a pervasive political and environmental disenchantment. 

224 pages, Paperback

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Hollie Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an impressive debut novel. The prose is astounding. The dialogue is pitch-perfect. The descriptions of the flora/fauna feel written by a botanist-zoologist who also happens to be a poet. The protagonist/narrator is incredibly smart and witty and sympathetic and likeable and flawed—I enjoyed being in his brain even if he sometimes does not. The relationships are deeply nuanced and so real-feeling. And oh how the depictions of being precariously-employed as a sessional instructor resonated. This book is equally intelligent and heartfelt, funny and tender.

[Kait Bohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book in fantastic. The writing is so thoughtful and beautiful. There was so many intensely emotional parts, and I felt several parts resonate in a really meaningful way. Rod Moody-Corbett is so damn clever. I can’t wait for another novel from him.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written, wonderful book that I had trouble putting down and I will read it again and again. It delves into old friendships that have become frayed with time and the complexities of father-son relationships. There is a mixture of sorrow, loss, humour and witty sarcasm. The prose is as rich as Fort Knox. Case in point: the description of the hunting lodge (Castle) in western Newfoundland - "The moat was shallow and, up close, its blackness took on a starker viscosity. Plump, yam-tummied fish with slender whiskers (barbels I think they are called) waggling off their chins turned in the molasses-like murk. I hurried over the bridge and under the gate's sharp latticed pikes, worried that the door might give way and skewer me."
The richness of his writing allows the reader to envision and experience the very sights, sounds and emotions depicted in the text. A great read.

[Shawn Mooney (Shawn Breathes Books)]

I read three-quarters of this and won't get those hours back, dagnabit.

At first, I thought the pompous prose was because we were inside the head of a pompous academic narrator, a man to boot. I jived with that, but ultimately came to realize that the overwriting was a fatal flaw.

While there was quite a bit of nice character work here, ultimately, the shitty prose did me in, and I couldn't finish.

Here's a couple of stinkers, the second of which made me throw the book across the room:

"Is this it?” Willis asked. His eyebrows retreated as his nose quested across the rafters like a rat’s.

And

I took a bite (of one of my power bars), and a game of tug-of-war, in which metaphor, you might say, my teeth served as rope, ensued.

Given the high average rating for this novel—based on a small number of reviews at the time I'm writing this—I can only conclude the author's got a lot of friends and family.

[Elyse Bouvier · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really beautiful book reflecting on toxic masculinity, grief, gun violence, and care. It's visceral and funny and I felt transported to the narrator's world through the gorgeous prose. A stunning debut that while heavy left me hopeful in the end.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted by too many aspects of this book to hit on them all, so I’ll limit myself to noting how appropriate it was that a book about, among other things, moose hunting, should have so many beasts of sentences, which must be deconstructed — broken down into ambling limbs and branching antlers and stubby tails — in order to appreciate the bounty they have to offer, to be devoured, savoured. Also in line with the theme of hunting, this is a read that heartily rewards patience and a keen-eye.

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the writing style and use of language, but I didn’t feel there was as much emotion as much as I thought there’d be. There was more melancholy displayed than moments of incredibly intense passion and that’s what I wanted more of. Because when the intense passion was shown between characters, it was amazing. The writing style was incredibly unique, it was so descriptive, and real, I took my time reading each page absorbing every word, the author really did their research, I feel like I learnt a lot.
I wish I liked this book more because the writing was next level, I just feel like something was missing, I was left wanting more about the characters suffering and their relationships.
3.75 stars on fable

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2. An odd title, which I wondered about and in which I can see several interpretations. It took me a while to get into the cadence of the writing, but after that it was quite as if he was speaking to me, relating his story, and it kept me engaged. I'll admit to not knowing some of the locations he was referring to, but that was not overly distracting. A few of the phrases are just so perfect they shouldn't be changed, and in places it is wryly funny. Good first novel.

[Dave McChesney · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging tale of friends, tragedy, grief and redemption that immerses you with the author and narrator as it weaves the plot around Calgary and Newfoundland. His descriptive style makes you think you’re actually there with the characters. I didn’t want to put it down. A must read if you’re from Calgary or the Rock. Highly recommend - a will be a repeat read for sure.

[Kit Benth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hides is a masterfully crafted novel with beautifully intricate prose. I was drawn into the inner world of the narrator, with his resentments, dysfunctional relationships, and particularities. The book made me laugh out loud in parts (the rice!) while also promoting emotional depths around love and loss. I highly recommend this book to anyone!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was so descriptive it felt like watching a movie. It brought me to tears and other times made me gag with disgust. It took time to read and absorb, and I'm glad it did. The main character's self-loathing was pathetic and hilarious - as was his take on the world. This is an important novel.

[World Vs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many mentions of Boars. Would recommend to everyone with lungs.

[Colin Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this gem of a novel up at Breakwater Books in St John’s and I’m so glad I did.

[Mike Thorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen to our interview with Rod Moody-Corbett on Craftwork.