Is it ever right to choose a stranger over family?
Young Hap spends the summer at his family’s fish camp on the pristine Akwe River in Alaska.
They desperately need the salmon for their livelihood, but dangers lurk in the majestic wilderness and toxic family relationships.
Tragic circumstances force the boy to assume responsibilities beyond his years.
Encouraged by his mother’s love but plagued by his father’s harshness, how will Hap respond when faced with an unimaginable choice?
Jason Street (Reedsy Discovery) says Outside is a MUST read!
A powerful coming-of-age story about complex family dynamics, the many cruelties of life, and growing through unimaginable pain. Outside is a new historical coming-of-age story by Daniel W. Mortensen. Taking place over the course of almost two decades, the book follows Hap–a young boy living with his family–as he grows up in Alaska. The story begins with Hap as a young man visiting his father–a visit that quickly devolves into a confrontation between father and son. It is clear from the start that this relationship is unsalvageable at this point. Most of the narrative takes place years prior, detailing their complex history through the years. This all comes to head when a shocking event forces Hap to make an impossible choice, forever changing his life and fully explaining this icy father-son dynamic.
What could I possibly say about Outside that would do this beautiful story justice? Though it was hard to put into words just how much I loved this book directly after finishing it, now that some time was taken to ponder it and reflect, there is plenty to talk about. Much like a gorgeous mosaic, this book is a work of art consisting of many small, meaningful pieces. One such “piece” is the character writing. With a story such as this, the main character and the supporting characters around them can make or break the book. Especially with such complex characters, it would be easy to take the lazy route, turning them into soulless caricatures that are tedious to read and hard to connect with. However, Mortensen has characters that feel fully realized and fleshed out. They feel like real people, and you truly get to know them throughout the story. Hap, the protagonist, is sympathetic and easy to root for–a boy who’s a victim of his circumstances and mistreated by his father thrust into the role of an adult all too quickly. You truly feel for him and want him to succeed, and you’re fully invested in his story from start to finish. His brother, Champ, is another wonderful character–the golden child with heaps of responsibility and a soft spot for his little brother. Many of the scenes between them are sweet, and their sense of brotherhood is palpable through each page. Even the father is interesting to read about, with him being a man whose deep-seated pain and anguish is drowned in a miasma of anger and resentment. A man who would easily be a cookie-cutter cliche in less-capable hands.
Mortensen’s writing chops are also a beauty to behold. His writing is simple yet flowery, able to paint picturesque landscapes and heartbreaking family drama with the same masterful brush. Mortensen’s descriptions of the Alaskan landscape are absolutely breathtaking, the frozen wilderness and its many wonders and dangers put on display in equal measure. His writing prowess also shines in the more dramatic scenes, where the family’s many issues come to the surface in daunting fashion. A prime example of this is the opening argument between Hap and Jim–Hap’s father–in the prologue. The tension is thick during the fight, and the animosity between the two of them is palpable. The story itself is captivating and strong, drawing one in immediately and never letting go until the last page is turned. Mortensen is a writer with a knack for dramatic, poetic writing, and he is truly in his depth here in this book.
Overall, Outside is a beautiful coming-of-age novel with a heart of gold and a stunning plot arc. Graced with an ensemble of strong, memorable characters, gorgeous landscapes described like nature shots, and a powerful climax, this is coming-of-age fiction at its best. While there were times when the chapters ran on a little too long and some of the paragraphs began to feel like exposition dumps, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this novel. I will never forget Hap, and I will never forget the story that the author has written here. I just know that I’ll be back to reread this multiple times in the future, and I will be on the lookout for this author’s next projects. I would highly recommend this book, especially to anyone looking for a well-written character study and a captivating drama. A powerhouse tale of resilience, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of belonging, Outside is a novel that truly deserves to be read and talked about.
Daniel Mortensen
Daniel Mortensen spent his high school and college summers at his family’s fishing camp on the Akwe River, the setting for his debut novel, Outside. When his fishing career ended, he embarked on a thirty-year career in higher education administration, earning a PhD in Education along the way. In 2017, he began a new career in senior living administration. He enjoys exercise and road cycling. He and his wife, Shelli, live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and delight in spending time with their two daughters and their husbands, and four grandchildren.