Wolf Tours

by Alyse Knorr PhD

“These surreal searching poems nudge and gnaw us into a prescient view of our world.”  -Matthea Harvey, author of If the Tabloids Are True What Are You? 

With Wolf Tours, Alyse Knorr creates a captivating world in which readers will encounter themes like climate change and grief, queer love, linguistics, and intercultural connection alongside a sentient pack of wolves in Colorado's southwest. This novel-in-verse is steeped in wildness and a true reverence for the natural world and those that inhabit it, including Rodney, our narrator and tour guide. 

Readers join this unique eco-tourism company run by a pack of sentient wolves, offering life-changing adventures for humans seeking a deeper connection with nature. Rodney, on a journey of self-discovery herself, and grappling with a recent heartbreak struggles to connect with tour participants despite desperately wanting to. Knorr writes with sensitivity and creativity, weaving a tapestry of lyrical and inventive verse, while Rodney and the tour group navigate the wilderness and a changing landscape together. 

90 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.