The Lives of Rocks

By Rick Bass

A woman faces illness alone in a mountain cabin, exploring nature's bond.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 585 ratings

224 pages

$17.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

In a remote mountain cabin, a woman grapples with a terminal illness, reflecting on her profound connection to nature. Her past hunting experience, vividly recalled, intertwines with her present struggle. Across stories set from Montana to Mississippi, the collection delves into humanity's impact on the environment and each other, revealing life's raw essentials with striking clarity. What truths will emerge from these intimate encounters with nature and mortality?

From the publisher

A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice A Rocky Mountain News Best Book of the Year Finalist for the Story Prize At once expertly crafted and undeniably moving, these ten stories deftly explore our immutable connection with nature. The centerpiece of the collection is the arresting title story, in which a woman alone in her mountain cabin confronts a terminal illness. In the equally remarkable “Her First Elk,” the same character recalls her most memorable and significant hunting experience. Set in locations ranging from Montana to Texas to Mississippi, the remaining stories further illuminate the consequences of our attitudes toward the environment and each other. This masterly collection lays bare the essentials of life with unparalleled passion and grace..

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