The first chapter opened with a past life memory of fighting a bear that was depradating the village livestock. Past lives are seldom mentioned in the rest of the book, however, except by reference to a certain lesson Homer has learned from his experiences.
Homer is a very opinionated character/author (altho not billed as a memoir, the author's bio is remarkably similar to that of the character). He runs a small logging company and has negative ideas about "environmentalists". Some of his ranting carries on too long, but I put up with it because, despite my environmental leanings, I can also empathize with small loggers who have an appreciation for the woods & wildlife. I've worked in the national forest in the same area described.
If there is a theme to this story, it is that of a man's relationship to his dog. Homer has recently put down his long time companion and needs to come to terms with that while also getting to know his new pup. One of the past life lessons Homer learned is how valuable dogs are as a protector.
Despite the frequent swearing by the macho characters, Van Meter shows some education: a few chapters start with an epigraph. Apparently the hours spent in the woods afford ample time for reflection. For example: "The worst grief that finds us is that which is not taken back home and commiserated , and left with ceremony." ( )