The Country Ahead of Us, the Country Behind

by David Guterson

First published 1989

Returning home to Puget Sound, a young man recalls his childhood in the Pacific Northwest and his recent experiences teaching in the Cascade mountains. As he wrestles with questions of belonging, he confronts the ghosts of his past and the uncertainty of his future. Guterson's poetic prose captures the rugged beauty and isolation of the region, mirroring the protagonist's inner journey. Caught between two worlds, he must decide where his heart truly lies.

Genres: literary-fiction, coming-of-age, contemporary, family-drama

Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking

Tropes: coming-of-age, fish-out-of-water

Setting: Pacific Northwest, Puget Sound, Cascade Mountains

221 pages · Paperback · Thorndike Pr

More by David Guterson

Readers who liked The Country Ahead of Us, the Country Behind also liked

View on Siftivo