Montana author Callan Wink’s latest novel, Beartooth (Spiegel & Grau), tells a gripping story of survival, loss, and brotherhood set against the dramatic backdrop of the Absaroka-Beartooth mountains. The narrative centers on two brothers living off the grid near Yellowstone National Park, struggling to maintain their family home and settle debts after the death of their father.
Beartooth captures the rugged beauty of the American West while exploring timeless themes of grief and resilience. Through vivid storytelling, Wink evokes the spirit of pastoral American literature, weaving a fast-paced yet emotionally resonant tale of revenge and the enduring bond between siblings.
This feature revisits a conversation with Wink, originally aired on January 23, 2025, on The Write Question podcast. Hosted by Lauren Korn, the discussion offers insight into Wink’s creative process and the novel’s thematic depth.
About Callan Wink
Callan Wink is an acclaimed author whose work includes the novels Beartooth and August, as well as a collection of short stories titled Dog Run Moon. A recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and Stanford University’s Wallace Stegner Fellowship, Wink’s stories and essays have appeared in prominent publications such as The New Yorker, Granta, Playboy, and Men’s Journal. He currently resides in Livingston, Montana, where he works as a fly fishing guide on the Yellowstone River.
Recommended Reading
Wink suggests readers explore:
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The Shepherd’s Hut by Tim Winton (Picador)
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A Prayer for the Dying by Stuart O’Nan (Henry Holt & Co.; St. Martin’s Press)
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The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien (Mariner Books)
Host Lauren Korn recommends:
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Beartooth by Callan Wink (Spiegel & Grau)
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Old King by Maxim Loskutoff (W. W. Norton & Company)
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Crazy Mountain by Elise Atchison (Sowilo Press)
About The Write Question
The Write Question is a production of Montana Public Radio, hosted and co-produced by Lauren Korn alongside sound engineer Chris Moyles. The podcast is supported by Chapter One Bookstore in Hamilton, Montana—a community literary resource serving the Bitterroot Valley since 1974. More details are available at Chapter1Bookstore.com.
Funding for The Write Question is provided by Humanities Montana, Montana Public Radio members, and the Greater Montana Foundation, which supports communication on topics vital to Montanans.
The Write Question branding and logo were designed by Molly Russell. More of her work can be found at iamthemollruss.com and on Instagram @iamthemollruss.
