Scott Hawkins, known for his acclaimed debut novel "The Library at Mount Char," has released his long-awaited second book titled "Blacktail." Published by Crown/Penguin Random House, this novel tells a dark yet beautiful story centered on revenge.
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In "Blacktail," the main character, a wolf named Blacktail, faces tragedies inflicted by humans. Drawn to revenge, he encounters Old Kitty Mother, a witch in cat form, who guides him to seek help from an ancient Forest God. While the novel celebrates the natural world, it also features moments of intense violence. In a recent interview with What We’re Reading, Hawkins noted that the violent elements reflect the real behaviors of animals. He stated, "The wolf—he's gonna do wolf stuff, and he can't really negotiate with them [people]."
As Blacktail seeks vengeance, his legend evolves, raising questions about his character. Hawkins explained that while humans may see Blacktail as a villain, the morality of animals could differ significantly. “Clearly from the human standpoint, he's the bad guy… Animal morality would be necessarily a little bit different from that," Hawkins said.
During the writing process, Hawkins cared for several rescued dogs, including a large half-wolf. He mentioned that his pets influenced the narrative significantly. "Blacktail" offers readers a layered exploration of morality through the eyes of its animal protagonist.