Bones: An Essay from the Collection Where Rivers Change Direction

by Mark Spragg

It is a voice that echoes off canyon walls, springs from the rush of rivers, thunders from the hooves of horses. It belongs to award-winner Mark Spragg, and it's as passionate and umcompromising as the wilderness in northwest Wyoming in which he was the largest block of unfenced wilderness in the lower forty-eight states. Where Rivers Change Direction is a memoir of childhood spent on the oldest dude ranch in Wyoming—with a family struggling against the elements and against themselves, and with the wry and wise cowboy who taught him life's most important lessons.

As the young Spragg undergoes the inexorable rites of passage that forge the heart and soul of man, he channels Peter Matthiessen and the novels of Ernest Hemingway in his truly unforgettable illuminations of the heartfelt yearnings, the unexpected wisdom, and the irrevocable truths that follow in his wake.

Audible Audio

Published March 12, 2026

About the author

Mark Spragg is the author of Where Rivers Change Direction, a memoir that won the 2000 Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers award, and the novels, The Fruit of Stone, An Unfinished Life, and, Bone Fire. All four were top-ten Book Sense selections and An Unfinished Life was chosen by the Rocky Mountain News as the Best Book of 2004. Spragg’s work has been translated into fifteen languages. He lives in Wyoming with his wife, Virginia, with whom he wrote the screenplay for the film version of his novel, An Unfinished Life, starring Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, and Jennifer Lopez, and released in 2005.

Reviews

[Micheal Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bones: An Essay from the Collection Where Rivers Change Direction by Mark Spragg is a reflective and evocative piece that captures the raw beauty of the natural world alongside the deeply personal journey of growing up within it. Rooted in the landscapes of the American West, the essay blends memory, environment, and emotional insight into a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive.

What makes this work particularly compelling is its voice. The storytelling carries a sense of authenticity and lived experience, drawing readers into a world shaped by wilderness, family dynamics, and the quiet lessons learned through hardship and observation. The connection between land and identity is especially strong, giving the essay a grounded and almost timeless quality.

At its core, Bones explores themes of growth, resilience, and the formative experiences that shape one’s character. The influence of mentors, the tension within family life, and the presence of nature as both a challenge and a teacher all contribute to a layered and meaningful narrative.

Overall, this essay will resonate with readers who appreciate literary nonfiction that combines personal reflection with a strong sense of place. It offers a thoughtful exploration of memory, identity, and the enduring impact of early life experiences.