January 2022
To Cook a Bear
by Mikael Niemi
Moderators:
Nina Seffusatti and Åsa Danielsson
Host:
Trish Feaster
Book available from:
Amazon, Thrift Books, World of Books, Alibris, Bookshop, and Audible
Back to Guide Collective Book Club
In 1852 in Sweden's far north, deep in the Arctic Circle, charismatic preacher and Revivalist Lars Levi Læstadius impassions a poverty-stricken congregation with visions of salvation. Jussi, the young Sami boy Læstadius has rescued from destitution and abuse, becomes the preacher's faithful disciple on long botanical treks to explore the flora and fauna. Læstadius also teaches him to read and write— and to love and fear God.
When a milkmaid goes missing deep in the forest, the locals suspect a predatory bear is at large. A second girl is attacked, and the sheriff is quick to offer a reward for the bear's capture. Using early forensics and daguerreotype, Læstadius and Jussi find clues that point to a far worse killer on the loose, even as they are unaware of the evil closing in around them.To Cook a Bear explores how communities turn inwards, how superstition can turn to violence, and how the power of language can be transformative.
The author Mikael Niemi was born in Pajala, near the Finnish border where the real Laestadius and his wife are buried. The legendary preacher, whose movement still has followers today, inspired him.
BOOK CLUB EVENTS
• INTRODUCTION
Monday, January 3 • 11am PT | 2pm ET | 6pm UK
Danish native and France tour guide Nina Seffusatti teams up with Swedish guide Åsa Danielsson for GCBC’s January selection: To Cook a Bear by Mikael Niemi. Tune in to their live presentation on the Guide Collective Facebook Page and be a part of the event by participating in the chat feed during the show.
• Group Discussion
Monday, January 30 • 11am PT | 2pm ET | 7pm UK
GC Book Club Members will connect live with Nina and Åsa via a member-exclusive Zoom session. Members will be able to share their own insights from the reading, engage with one another, and ask about questions related to the book as well as to nordic and Scandinavian culture. Bring your book and feel free to enjoy your favorite snacks or drinks.
Members will receive a link to the recording of this event within one week of the discussion, so if you cannot attend, you can watch it at your leisure. The link will be available for two weeks and will then be deactivated.
To become a new GCBC member and receive the Group Discussion Zoom link, please email GC at theguidecollective@gmail.com. Link will be sent via email by 9pm PT on Sunday, January 29, 2022.
Note: Existing members who are already on the GCBC mailing list will automatically receive an email with the link.
• Throughout the month, share your reading progress with GCBC in the comments below on our social channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
A THANK-YOU TO OUR MODERATORS
• If you’d like to thank and help support this month’s GCBC moderators, they would be grateful for your emails or any contribution to their virtual tip jars.
Nina Seffusatti | Email and Tip Jar
Åsa Danielsson | Email and Tip Jar
