What a perfect, beautifully written book with a pointlessly tragic ending! Just, WHY??? Ugh. 😭 I still think it deserves to win awards. The author has such a unique way of describing everything and I loved how we only saw certain events from Chub's POV because of how those things came across through a child's perspective. I felt totally immersed in the beautiful setting, and fell in love with all of the characters, in spite of their faults. I want everyone to know how good this is, but at the same time, it needs a warning for some very difficult topics. Some of it was expected since a huge part of the plot is how the herbicides affect children and unborn babies. It's in the main description, but it was more graphic and detailed than I anticipated, so maybe skip this one if you're pregnant or sensitive to those topics. Then the ending, while still being sort of hopeful, was so sad and I don't understand why it had to end that way.

i just put this book down and I am unwell. At the risk of providing spoilers, I am going to refrain from providing my initial reaction - but OOF.

While the main driver of the plot is the environmental effects of pesticides and an economic shift away from logging - this story is really about family, chosen and otherwise. Davidson deftly paints marriage as an imperfect union, which requires a push and pull at all times. The relationship between Rich, Colleen and Chub also felt beautifully real - as you watch two people do anything they can to keep their only child safe - even if it endangers their livelihood.

I can't believe this was a debut, Davidson writes with the pen of a poet and longtime pro. With each page, I felt myself increasingly submerged in the landscape of Northern California. It likely helps that I'm not too far north in Oregon and fairly familiar with many of the places mentioned.

A heart-wrenching, emotional gut punch - Damnation Spring is easily devoured - but sure to slow down and savor it for a second.

I loved this book. It was an interesting mix of family interaction and managing the redwood forests. I learned a lot about generations of families who lived next to these trees and used these forests to make their livings. It included tree huggers and portrayed both sides of this issue well.

I don’t know why I keep picking up books about trees. I do not like books about trees. I also wish I had looked into some of the trigger warnings before requesting this book. Unfortunately, I did not finish this book. I do not typically give star ratings to books I didn’t finish, but NG requires it. Please know that this was a case of it’s not you, book, it’s me. I can see why so many loved this book, but it just was not really for me. Thank you to Net Galley and Scribner for the gifted copy.

“The real timber’s gone… What’s left, ten percent, including the parks? Two thousand years to grow a forest, a hundred years to fall it. No plague like man.”


We’re seeing a lot of really interesting…I guess eco-fiction (?) right now—The Overstory, Once There Were Wolves, The Music of Bees. And now, Damnation Spring.

Please forgive any typos. I just finished the book about fifteen minutes ago and am cranking this review out at superspeed before I lose steam on it.

If anyone knows, please tell me the technical genre name for prosey fiction that focuses on how humans interact with the environment, the dismissal of the limited nature of earth’s resources while acting disdainfully towards those who would try to protect and heal it, the massively unregulated or ignored regulations surrounding environment-related practices and substances in favor of profit, and like…the human hubris (both individual and collective) of the idea that man is somehow entitled to the resources on this planet, contributing to the deterioration of those resources beyond a sustainable capacity. These are all cautionary tales whether you read them as such or not.

Anyway, I like eco-fiction, but I’m open to other suggestions.

Damnation Spring is the story of Colleen and Rich, residents in a Northern California logging town. Rich, like most of the men in the community, is a logger. Colleen is an amateur midwife desperate to have another child, even in the wake of several miscarriages, who begins to notice a disturbing trend of miscarriages, stillbirths, and birth defects she suspects are directly tied to the logging company’s herbicides.

I struggled with this one a bit, and I have a lot of the same gripes you’ll read in other reviews. This was a nearly 500-page book that definitely could have been about 200 to 250 pages lighter, and would have been much better for it. If Moby Dick taught me everything I never needed to know and much more about living and working on 19th-century whaling vessels, Damnation Spring gave me a couple hundred unnecessary pages on West Coast logging culture in the late 1970s. And much life Melville and his four chapters on whale anatomy, I just found a lot of Damnation Spring painfully slow and dense to read through.

Which is unfortunate because at the heart of all those words is a story set against the backdrop of an interesting and pivotal period of environmental upheaval and public outcry for change and regulation of things like, say…industrial herbicides. Add in having to dance around a hundred different characters—many of them extraordinarily unlikeable—to the point that I lost the ability to keep track of them.

I think it was around the halfway point that we finally got to the plot. It still didn’t pick up that much, but at least the plot I was promised in the blurb was there.

Ultimately, I think this book suffered from trying to do too much and not efficiently using the space it had to address everything. In almost 500 pages, things could have been much more cleanly explored and resolved. The ending was less of a climax and more of a book just stopping, which is always something that irks me.

It’s all so frustrating because when we get into the nitty-gritty of the plot, when we get to see the family dynamics and the conflict therein, when we really see what each side is fighting for and how they each believe so deeply in their respective causes, the story flows. The writing is good and punchy, and the pages seem to fly by. But then we inevitably hit another snag and slip back into stagnancy, and it’s so frustrating to get glimpses of the potential in this novel only to have it buried again under a mountain of unnecessary words. The last 10% was solid, even if it feels (impossibly) like we were missing 10 or so pages at the very end.

And what a feeling to have after slogging through all of that.

Thank you muchly to NetGalley and Scribner for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, I could not finish Damnation Spring. I have been trying to read it and get into it for a couple weeks now, and it's just not piquing my interest whatsoever. I had to put it down for good at about 30%. While I enjoyed Colleen's perspective and was interested in learning more about her, I really hated the inclusion of Chub's perspective. Moreover, there were so many characters who matter to the plot of the story, but I had a really hard time keeping track of who is who and why they are important. Maybe at a different time of the year would I be interested in this book enough to sit down and finish it, but, right now, it's just not the read for me.

Damnation Spring follows the story of a single family: Rich, Colleen, and their son, Chub. Rich is a tree topper, and with a single gamble takes his families savings to purchase land with a lot of possibility (aka good trees to cut). Colleen is a town midwife that hasn’t had a lot of business recently after she had several miscarriages. These parents find themselves on opposing sides when people start to wonder if the herbicides used on the trees is causing birth defects, miscarriages, and cancer.

This book is told from multi-perspectives and takes place over the course of a year.

I did not enjoy this one. It just slugged along and I could never really get into it. I didn’t feel that much of a connection with the characters and found myself just wanting to get it over with. Unfortunately, I’m grateful this is over.

*thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This book was a very slow burn, but it was beautifully written. With so many vivid details, I could *see* the redwood forest, I could *smell it even. But the greatest strength of the story was also it’s greatest weakness, as all the repetitive description of the forest & the logging industry made it a far longer book than it needed to be.
I did love getting to know the characters, and the late 70’s setting was spot on. The interaction of the locals with the tourists & “hippies” was perfectly portrayed. It was truly heartbreaking to read about the struggle between the generations of loggers facing a dying livelihood and the environmentalists who were struggling to be heard.
Overall, a good book, but at least 100 pages too long.

While I completely enjoyed the premise, seeing, and community live in this story, I did have a hard time keeping focus throughout the long descriptive scenes.

There were some truly amazing parts on this that really drew me in and in those tones I absolutely loved it. Honestly it was super touch and go for me throughout.

I was prepared to give this four stars, but the ending left me disappointed. I'd still recommend this book, though, as it's obvious Davidson did extensive research into the logging industry and environmentalism circa the late 1970s. Her characters are varied and interesting, and the pace of the book is quick, which can be rare for a 400-plus page book.

If you can get past the logging descriptions, technical terms, equipment specs, weird jargon and a bleak slog, you will be rewarded richly with Damnation Spring. I definitely don't think this is a book for everyone, but it hits some really lovely and meaningful themes about environmental responsibility and tight-knit communities. And theoretically, that's all I want in a book. Give me small town relationships, give me the reckoning of man made environmental destruction, give me slow burn, give me gorgeous descriptive writing. But ultimately, aside from Rich and Colleen, there are too many characters and too many are wholly unlikeable. I had a hard time connecting, learning (and trying to become invested in) logging, and ultimately I wish my connection in the story happened sooner. than the last quarter of the story. Might be a great book club pick with lots to talk about, if you can get past the glacial pacing.

This book is a quiet novel about a logging community in the 1970s. The issue explored throughout is between the Pacific Northwest loggers using toxic herbicides for brush removal and environmental activists concerned about the mass removal of old trees and the harmful impacts of those toxic chemicals. This book was really thought-provoking and I could place myself in both sets of shoes. Unfortunately, it took quite a few pages to really get to the meat of the book and I sometimes felt bogged down with the detailed logging descriptions. Still a solid three star read. I think it would make for interesting discussion in a book club setting.

Rich is desperate to leave a legacy. Logging is in his blood, and his family has lived and worked in the redwood forests of Klamath, California, for decades. His father dreamed of buying his own land and working for himself, and now Rich has the opportunity to make that dream a reality. When he purchases a large tract of land behind his wife's back, he takes on more than he bargained for. Meanwhile, his wife, Colleen, is struggling to find her way through the fog of grief after multiple pregnancy losses, not to mention all the birth defects and infant deaths she's witnessed as the town's amateur midwife. So when a researcher shows up and starts telling stories about the toxic effects of the sprays used by the logging industry, Colleen starts to question their safety. If Colleen supports the research she'll be seen as a traitor by the logging community, but she must know the truth. ⁠

What a beautiful debut novel. I see why so many people loved this one! It was almost a DNF for me, but I was determined to keep at it after reading several other rave reviews. After a slow start, I switched to the audio version which helped shift the momentum. This isn't a fast-paced plot-driven read, although the plot is well-developed. It's more of a character-driven story focused on world-building. Davidson's atmospheric writing style makes the town, the forest, and the family come to life. The love story of Rich and Colleen is profoundly moving and left me in tears. And the relationships among the many townspeople felt authentic and highly realistic. Poverty, environmental justice, and racial injustice all play a role in this story, which makes the novel feel current despite the historic setting. I'm really glad I pushed through to finish this one, but I can say it likely isn't for everyone.

Lots to like about this! Loved the 1970s PNW forest setting - beautiful writing and description of nature. Its a slow, character driven novel but it made me think a lot. It was a bit slower than I prefer in areas, but overall I'm still glad I read it. It felt longer than it needed to be too. However, this is a debut and I will definitely seek this author out again!

Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson

Published: August 3, 2021
Scribner
Pages: 463
Genre: Contemporary Literary Fiction
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Ash Davidson was born in Arcata, California, and attended the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Her work has been supported by the Arizona Commission on the Arts and MacDowell

“Two thousand years to grow a forest, a hundred years to fall it. No plague-like man.”

Rich is a logger, and it’s in his blood. Like his father, his grandfather, and his great grandfather. Earning a living in the woods is what he knows. After losing a baby at five or so months, Colleen feels angry. She wants to try again, but Rich can’t. Then a blast from the past arrives and brings news that could change everything.

This was a beautifully written novel. Deep, emotional, raw, vulnerable, and devastatingly realistic.

I enjoyed the story and found the plot similar to the Erin Brockovich story, only this time is solely focused on the people, without the lawyers.

The conflict in this novel is so well presented, and the balance tips precariously. The character development blossoms as the storyline progresses.

The alternating narrators was a lovely touch, adding to the balancing act of the plot. I enjoyed the emotional aspect Colleen brought to the story, mixed with the stoic realism Rich brought.

The ending will literally take your breath away and leave you with tears in your eyes. This is a beautiful story, told over several years, of hope, forgiveness, truth, lies, and family.

In the Summer of 1977, Colleen and Rich Gundersen are raising their young son, Chub, in a small Northwestern logging town. Their community has lived and breathed logging for generations. These folks were like family until they quickly become divided when they realize the impact logging has on their environment.

This debut novel by Ash Davidson is like Erin Brockovitch meets Wild. A little slow at the start with all the logging jargon, but quickly turns into a gripping drama that you can't put down. Her imagery transports you right into the Redwood Forest and Damnation Spring. The character development makes you feel like you are part of this tight knit working class community. She makes it hard to choose whos side you're on.

Thank You NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the free digital copy.
Published: August 3, 2021

I almost didn't start this book because the reviews were so mixed and the subject matter seemed a bit heavy, but something made me decide to give it a go and not keep it on the TBR pile. The subject matter is definitely important and worrisome, environmental concerns from toxins in our water and deforestation. The author does an excellent job of bringing these important issue to the readers attention by creating a fictionalized scenario that shows what it's like for those working very hard to provide their families and at the same time paying the price with their health and their lives.
Of course even though this is a work of fiction the problems are real and a book like this is a wonderful way to help educate those of us that are unaware of just how dangerous deforestation is to both the environment and to human life.
I thought the author did an excellent job of writing a piece of fiction that didn't shove these views down the readers throat but instead gently steered us to make our own conclusions through her prose. Excellent book.

I received a free electronic ARC of this extremely engrossing novel from Netgalley, author Ash Davidson, and publisher Scribner. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend Damnation Spring to friends and family. This is a debut novel to keep you up nights, a story that will wring your heart dry. Ash Davidson is an author I will follow.

It begins in the summer of 1977 in Northern California, in a tiny company town. Rich Gundersen is the fourth generation of his family to work as a tree-topper for Sanderson Timber Company. He and his wife Colleen are raising their son Chub, now six years old, in Rich's family home, which is now the property of the park that has enfolded their section of the Redwood groves into a national park. They may have the use of that home for 25 years, or either of their lifetimes when ownership will convert to the park. Both Rich and Colleen want a much different life for their son Chub.

Colleen has worked as an amateur midwife for several years, and she herself has had multiple miscarriages, the last stillborn near term at Easter. There are three known babies in the community born in the last several months with Anencephaly, or without a working brain. What a horrid thing to have to live with knowing. And how easy it is to blame yourself, for something you did wrong during your pregnancy. No mother would be immune to that fear.

For decades the Sanderson company has used a helicopter to spread herbicides on their roads and the areas of the forest they are currently cutting. And for all those years, they have assured their employees and the townspeople that the spray they use is safe. Even if it does contain some of the same ingredients as does the known carcinogen Agent Orange. The Sandersons vehemently deny any wrongdoing, and the crews of timber men have no alternative source of income, they don't want to believe in the dangers involved with spreading the herbicide.

As the summer wains, the town is infiltrated with protestors, considered by the townspeople to be hippies and freeloaders. Their protests are disrupting the work on the Redwood being cleared on property owned by the Sanderson family, and everyone is hopeful that they will be able to clear Damnation plots 1 and 2 before winter comes when the constant rain and fog will stop work for several months. The men need the hours and over time, the big checks of the fall that will see their families housed and fed through the wageless winter. But the press follows in the wake of the protesters, and the situation becomes very intense. With enough attention drawn to the problems, the government might get involved. Nobody, on either side of the problem, wants that. Or do they?

Damnation Spring is a damn fine book. my only beef is the author spends too much time displaying her bona fides with timber cutting terminology and paraphernalia. I wanted to skip whole pages when she would get into the weeds with this stuff. Character and plot development was excellent. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the writing in Damnation Spring, I was fully immerse in the scenery and the characters from the moment the book started. It did take awhile to figure out who was who and remember what characters were which and I hate that, but it’s not the first book to do that to me or the last.