Wolf Tours

by Alyse Knorr PhD

Humans flock from all over the world for a trip with Wolf Tours, an eco-tourism company run by a pack of wolves. Rodney, our narrator is the worst of the tour guides, speaking essentially no English. Her recovery from a recent heartbreak is going slowly and it doesn't make her tour guide skills any better.Using a variety of experimental and lyrical forms, Wolf Tours explores love, language, climate change, and how individuals find and create meaning in nature.

80 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Kateri Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyse Knorr’s “Wolf Tours” is a gorgeous novel-in-verse that transports readers to the wild landscapes of southwest Colorado, where a sentient pack of wolves runs an eco-tourism company. This unique premise sets the stage for a profound exploration of themes such as climate change, grief, queer love, linguistics, and intercultural connection.

Rodney, the narrator and (worst) tour guide, is a compelling character whose journey of self-discovery and heartbreak resonates deeply. Knorr’s poetic prose is both lyrical and inventive, creating a vivid tapestry that captures the raw beauty of nature and the complexities of human emotion. The wolves, with their wisdom and wildness, serve as both guides and symbols of the untamed world we are part of yet often disconnected from.

Knorr’s sensitivity and creativity shine through in every verse, making “Wolf Tours” a poignant and thought-provoking read. The novel’s reverence for the natural world and its inhabitants is palpable, inviting readers to reflect on their own relationship with nature and each other. “Wolf Tours” is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper connection with the world around them and the poetic beauty that lies within it.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love the premise of this slim title of eco poetry that follows 14 days of a Wolf Tour (wolf guides, human clients), interspersed with other tidbits such as "Wolf Tours Mission Statement" and "Howling Lessons". I did, however, find much of it difficult to follow, perhaps because I don't speak wolf? (Haha.) There were a lot of gems and funny moments, but also a lot of incoherence, which was, no doubt, intentional, but I would like to pick the brain of the author to glean more insight into what she was thinking and feeling as she wrote it. Nevertheless, I highly recommend picking this up and struggling a bit with it - you will emerge, perhaps not more wolfish, but at least with a bit more insight into the human-wolf relationship, and with the gift of a few giggles for your efforts.