Sled Doug - Dan Dowhal

From Dan Dowhal, author of Bury Your Horses and Flam Grub, comes a quirky tale about the cost of conformity.

Set in Canada's far northern Klondike region, this is the story of Doug Stuart, the victim of a bizarre and tragic parental experiment who happily believes himself to be a member of a pack of sled dogs. His grandparents struggle to protect the child, but their world is thrown into upheaval when Doug comes to the attention of local authorities.

The case falls to psychologist Nate Waxman, who -because there are so few genuine cases of feral children (despite a proliferation of myths) - sees in the boy a golden opportunity for personal advancement, and to Mountie corporal Marie LeClair, who ultimately must decide between duty and conscience.

Sometimes dark, sometimes funny, the story is ultimately uplifting as Doug struggles to regain his freedom. Drawing on the author's northern and dog mushing experiences, the story examines our preconceptions of normalcy and happiness, through the twin lenses of civilization and wilderness living.