The idea of living deep in nature has been alluring for many in the modern age. Back-to-land movements may be based on Transcendentalist romanticism, anti-capitalist ideologies, religious worldviews and everything in between. Maxim Loskutoff’s fiction has previously explored the spaces where society meets natural wilds, and his new novel, OLD KING, is in the same vein. Here, he threads the real-life story of the infamous Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, with the fictional Duane Oshun, a man seeking solace and authenticity amongst the trees of Montana.

"OLD KING is a compelling, sometimes harrowing and occasionally sweet novel confronting emotional disconnect, the relationship between humanity and nature, and modern fears about technology..."

Duane moves to the small remote town of Lincoln in 1976. He is both fleeing a failed marriage back in Utah, and searching for meaning and contentment, hoping to build a new life that he and his young son, Hudson, can be proud of. In his first days, he finds himself living in his truck in a church parking lot, chopping wood for the pastor and being confronted by an aggressive cow. He also catches the eye of local waitress Jackie, a beautiful, thoughtful and slightly world-weary woman. Duane eventually becomes friends with a man named Hutch, who secretly rehabilitates injured wild animals and builds his own cabin close to that of Hutch and one belonging to a strange, misanthropic recluse named Ted. Ted is rumored to be a genius and former university professor, but in Lincoln he is known for living lean and not trusting his neighbors.

Over time, Duane settles into a quiet but meaningful life in Lincoln. Hudson visits every summer, and his relationship with Jackie deepens. He finds more steady work and comes to know and respect the land he lives on, even though it remains powerful, dangerous and mysterious. Local logging operations are threatened by environmentalists and big corporate operations, and Lincoln residents have to deal with the random violence and crimes of the Carter family from time to time. Yet the real menace in Lincoln turns out to be Ted. As the book goes on, readers get more chapters revolving around Ted, detailing his grievances, his history, his emotions and his bombs. Loskutoff threads much of Kaczynski’s actual biography in the novel but fills in gaps with a frightening and imaginative view of his mind and motivations.

Duane, Ted and others feel various kinds of kinship with the trees, animals and people of Lincoln. Many of Loskutoff’s characters are heartbroken and heart-aching, tired and cynical. Duane is almost singular in his wide-eyed openness to the possibility of a life of simple significance and straightforward love. Peril lurks in this novel, often resulting in terrible harm. Duane’s innocence and Ted’s destructive anger seem to be on a collision course. Loskutoff handles the tension deftly and embeds it in a well-paced tale with strong and exquisite prose.

OLD KING is a compelling, sometimes harrowing and occasionally sweet novel confronting emotional disconnect, the relationship between humanity and nature, and modern fears about technology, all the while giving readers characters who care deeply about each other and the world around them. This smart, captivating and provocative book is highly recommended.