Maxim Loskutoff’s first novel follows Ruthie Fear, who lives with her father, Rutherford, and their dog, Moses, at the foot of Trapper Peak in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana. They embody the challenging life typical of the often neglected rural communities of the American West, struggling with the closures of mills and the demanding nature of farming and ranching. Ruthie’s life is particularly shaped by men and marked by her deep connection to the natural and supernatural world.
The story begins when six-year-old Ruthie witnesses a headless, birdlike creature in the canyon behind her home, instilling fear but also a profound sense of importance in her. This event sets the stage for a compelling narrative about marginalized individuals grappling with bitterness, despair, and confusion in their lives. It also delves into Ruthie’s personal journey as she navigates her path to womanhood, characterized by her stubborn and wild nature.
In the town of Darby, where Ruthie resides, uncertainty looms large. The closure of the local mill, the town’s primary employer, has led to economic hardships. The arrival of the secretive biolab complex owned by Rocky Mountain Labs further isolates and disregards the community. Tensions escalate between the indigenous Salish people and the white residents as poverty and resentment grow. Ruthie, torn between her friendships in both communities, faces inner turmoil amidst escalating external conflicts, including worsening wildfires and a rare earthquake.
Haunted by the eerie creature from her childhood, Ruthie associates a sense of evil with the biolab complex as she matures. She joins protests against the plant’s presence and lack of transparency, only to face the futility of the town’s resistance against corporate and government power. As Ruthie grapples with community hardships, she becomes increasingly influenced by the violence and trauma surrounding her, inhabiting a world where firearms symbolize power and danger.
Maxim Loskutoff’s approach in “Ruthie Fear” mirrors his previous work in “Come West and See,” as he avoids simplistic characterizations of heroes and villains. Instead, he delves into how societal conditions breed despair and collective unrest that can spur individuals towards violence. Through Ruthie’s experiences, Loskutoff highlights the pervasive nature of this impulse toward violence, challenging the notion of immunity in the face of societal pressures.
