The Trap - Book review

The Trap

*****

John Smelcer, Andersen, 176pp, 978 1 84270 739 5, £5.99 pbk

The poetry of this short but significant book lies in its vivid descriptions of the far north of Alaska – ‘...snow, when settled on a field or valley, creates an almost religious experience for those fortunate to be the first to break trails, leaving their long, unbroken signatures on the snow-clad landscape’ and in the subtle and telling juxtaposition of Indian legends with the stuff of everyday existence. These tales provide a moral commentary on the action and imbue the narrative with the depth and richness of myth and tradition.

The book’s pathos is embedded in its metaphorical title – this savagely beautiful landscape, rich in history, is also a trap, physically as powerful as the one which snares venerable elder Albert Least-Weasel and ends his life but with a keen mental and emotional edge, too. Albert’s grandson Johnny is studying hard in his spare tim e to be able to go to college, knowing that others who have gone before him have not fitted in to the outside world with its dulled, cushioned existence – and yet on their return no longer feel themselves to be part of the community they have so recently left. ‘The place was like a trap, its sharp teeth forged from the fire of two worlds colliding.’

Life is harsh and spare in this part of the world and Smelcer makes this abundantly clear through his descriptions of the difficulties of performing the most basic tasks in order to sustain existence. The land and weather are implacable and only a thorough knowledge of and respect for the tempers of both enable the Indians to subsist. Albert Least-Weasel, his reactions blunted by age, steps into his own trap and spends three nights in temperatures as low as 45 below stalked by wolves, surviving only because of his stoicism and wily ingenuity.

Smelcer deals a happy ending with one hand and draws it back with the other. Albert is found alive by his grandson Johnny but dies soon afterwards, having recognised that his time has come but with his dignity intact. ‘He had made a good stand, fought as long as any man could have fought, missed nothing, forgotten nothing, used every resource and lesson...’

It is a special code, a challenging anachronism in a world which has long turned its face to material gain, a warning to all who ignore their instincts and move away from the truths of Nature. VR

The Trap-Book review

The Trap, by John Smelcer
Book Review By Shibo Shim: “Listen To Your Own Heart”

‘He would not speak or sing again. Somewhere, high up in the branches above, Johnny heard
an owl. He sat with his arms around his grandfather. His breathing had become inaudible and the world was quiet and beautiful.’
(The Trap, p168)

Albert Least-Weasel, an old man, lived for a long time in the north land, Alaska. He was familiar with the trap he used to hunt animals, which was his way of living. Although he was a skillful trapper, one day he accidentally stepped into one of his traps which he placed on the mountain earlier. It stuck him but didn't hurt him initially; however it meant the beginning of desperate struggles against the intolerable and severe natural elements. He had to stand extreme cold, which caused frostbite, and threatening attacks of wolves in the wilderness. But he was wise enough to compose himself and solve the problem whenever he faced perilous moments for three long, long nights and four days.
Albert could have been rescued from death if Johnny Least-Weasel, his grandson, had found him just a few hours earlier. Seventeen-year old Johnny was concerned about Albert, who didn’t come back after going to the mountain to check his traps four days prior, and finally decided to go look for his grandfather. Johnny ended up finding his grandfather and driving off the attacking wolves with a gun. However, Albert, hurt and exhausted not only by wolves but also by cold, met the end of his life. Johnny was crying when his grandfather died. He felt sad, angry and guilty that he had not listened to his own heart. He thought he should have come days earlier. He blamed himself.
Once you read the book, you might be a little impatient when Johnny doesn’t hurry and try to look for his grandfather, while Albert is grappling with the trap which didn’t allow him to move. The last chapter would make you almost breathless, particularly, when Albert sees grey wolves coming towards him at the same time that Johnny’s snowmobile is getting closer. Unfortunately, Johnny failed to relieve Albert, but he did his best. He ran against the wilderness by himself in spite of the dangerous cold. Johnny thought he was responsible for his grandfather’s death and regretted not to listening to his heart. He was definitely following his own mind and was thoughtful and courageous enough. Without Johnny’s determination, Albert might have disappeared except for a couple of his bones. As it turned out, Johnny was able to see Albert’s last moment of life and hear the old man’s last love song. Because of that, Albert closed his eyes peacefully and without loneliness.
Albert, the old man, showed what real wisdom and bravery is. You should be touched by the last event: his fighting the wolves with all his strength. When he dies, you might feel not only sorrowful but also peaceful and even beautiful. (The author often depicted many scenes and events using contrast and juxtaposition: beautiful but dangerous nature, warm house and freezing outside. Those expressions seemed to make this story vivid and amplify sympathy.)
Throughout this story we can meet cold, cruel, beautiful northland, Alaska, and two men who were brave and wise in the beautiful but pitiless wilderness. After reading the last page you might feel two men’s voices for long time and encounter some questions. Can you meet the lonely, last moment without fear and sing a song? Can you stand threats bravely? Do you love your family with all your heart? Do you listen to your own heart?