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Cry Wilderness
The never-before-published 1966 novel by legendary film director Frank Capra finally in print for the first time
"If you, too, feel like wandering, come along and help me unravel this odd tale―a tale full of half-truths, whole-truths, and no-truths at all."
So begins Frank Capra's never published, and often speculated about novel of his favorite place―Silver Lake, nestled in the jagged cliffs of the eastern Sierra Nevadas. Capra casts the fictional Frank Capra in the lead roll of this novel of environmental and humanitarian preservation.
As tourism comes back to the decimated boom towns of the eastern Sierras, Frank Capra finds himself, along with a do-good cop named Lefty, at the center of a scandal. That scandal being that they provided food and protection to two men living off the grid in the wilderness, while the powers that be have been desperately trying to clear the men out of the area, being not the kind of folk they want in their towns.
In a story that only Frank Capra can tell, the David and Goliath of small-town tourism politics comes to a head in the wilderness of the Sierra Nevadas. Cry Wilderness is a deeply humane novel about the ways in which people caring for one another ultimately triumphs over oppression.
"If you, too, feel like wandering, come along and help me unravel this odd tale―a tale full of half-truths, whole-truths, and no-truths at all."
So begins Frank Capra's never published, and often speculated about novel of his favorite place―Silver Lake, nestled in the jagged cliffs of the eastern Sierra Nevadas. Capra casts the fictional Frank Capra in the lead roll of this novel of environmental and humanitarian preservation.
As tourism comes back to the decimated boom towns of the eastern Sierras, Frank Capra finds himself, along with a do-good cop named Lefty, at the center of a scandal. That scandal being that they provided food and protection to two men living off the grid in the wilderness, while the powers that be have been desperately trying to clear the men out of the area, being not the kind of folk they want in their towns.
In a story that only Frank Capra can tell, the David and Goliath of small-town tourism politics comes to a head in the wilderness of the Sierra Nevadas. Cry Wilderness is a deeply humane novel about the ways in which people caring for one another ultimately triumphs over oppression.
- GenresFiction
272 pages, Hardcover
Published October 16, 2018
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81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 1, 2020
This book surprised me. I can't think of the last time I read a chapter with my mouth open in shock and ended it with an audible, "Wow." There's a lot going on in this book. At first, I thought it was going to be a hokey story about disputes in a tiny mountain town, like,"who is stealing milk off the porch," kind of drama, but it's not. It takes place in 1965, but was written by Frank Capra in the early 70's and was never published until 2018 by Rare Bird Books. The controversy may seem simple at first, but keep reading. Also, keep in mind this was written in 1965 so there are character stereotypes that would not be acceptable today. There are sections of the original story that are left out either because parts of it are physically missing from the manuscript or Capra's handwriting is illegible. Although, I wish I knew what those were, their loss does not detract from the story. Director/Actor Ron Howard provided the foreword. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.
December 2, 2018
This is a great story that feels like it should belong in today's headlines. I guess that is because politics conflicting with people's lives never is out of the spotlight. In a small-town tourism versus the wilderness of the Sierra Nevada area is discussed.
July 3, 2019
It lagged a bit at times, but built to a narrative crescendo anyone who’s seen a Capra film will recognize. One part mid-century charm, two parts rousing patriotic speech, hints of old school gender roles, with a dash of grotesque and societal embarrassment, finished of with a note of “gosh, isn’t this world grand?”
December 3, 2018
Sometimes undiscovered texts are best left that way.
December 14, 2018
If you like Frank Capra movies, you’ll love this book. It’s a sweet story with a powerful message. He was not only a genius movie-maker, he was a consummate author. I highly recommend this novel!!!
February 16, 2019
Frank Capra is amazing director and good novelist. The story is great and I enjoyed the dialogue.
December 24, 2018
This book reads like one of Capra's films from back in the day. The rights of the little guy are championed and reign victorious. The parallels between actors and politicians are intriguing and are particularly relevant in the political climate in the US these days. The description and infused history of the eastern Sierra Nevadas make this a must read for those familiar with the area and those wanting to be.
January 26, 2023
The reader made all the Capra-esque speeches but they practically verged into parody (unintentionally.) Since this story is true to the man's ideals it is a interesting sidenote in his illustrious career and important document since it exemplifies how the WWII generation of filmmakers had trouble not sounding "square" during the late 60's to the Hippie generation. At first the people in the town are entertaining but the plot is a minor one when compared to his best movies.
November 8, 2020
I love Frank Capra and thought this would be a good read for a hard week...but the mistaken ideas about Catholicism rankled.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews