Publisher's Synopsis
CHILDHOOD. THE NOVEL CUTS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN SUNNY'S LIFE IN GEMELANDS AND THE ADVENTURES OF UNCLE JAKE ON THE FRONTIER OF ALASKA. THE PANORAMA AFFORDS HAWKES HIS MARVELOUS HOST OF CHARACTERS; SISSY, UNCLE JAKE'S GENTEEL WIFE WHO SURREPTITIOUSLY TAKES TO HIGHBALLS; FRANK MORLEY, JAKE'S GRIZZLED SIDEKICK; SITKA CHARLEY, AN ADOPTED INDIAN WHO GROWS UP TO BE SUNNY'S LOVER; AND A VAST CREW OF ADVENTURERS, BUSH-PILOTS, PROSTITUTES, KNOCK- ABOUTS AND OTHER COLORFUL CHARACTERS. IT ALSO AFFORDS HAWKES SOME OF THE LIVELIEST PROSE OF THE DECADE, FROM BEAR HUNTS TO AIRPLANE CRASHES TO BOAT RIDES THROUGH THE ICE FLOES OF ALASKA TO BAWDY SEDUCTION SCENES IN THE SCENTED BUDOIRS OF GAMELANDS. 'ADVENTURES IN THE ALASKAN SKIN TRADE' IS POWERFUL, HUMOROUS, HAUNTINGLY BEAUTIFUL. IT IS A PREMIER PERFORMANCE BY ONE OF OUR SUTSTANDING WRITERS, AND IS CERTAINLY TO BE GREETED AS A MAJOR WORK OF FICTION.
