North to Cree Lake: The Rugged Lives of the Trappers Who Leave Civilization Behind (Western Canadian Classics)

This is a vividly recounted tale of life in the northern Saskatchewan wilderness, "the old North, land of mystery and deep silences" only accessible by canoe in summer, by dog team in winter, or by aircraft. The young men embrace the challenges of travelling in the North, and not only survive, but thrive. North to Cree Lake is full of fascinating details about everyday life in the North - what they ate, how they travelled, how to prepare moose nose - and offers insights into the men who chose to live in such an isolated and perilous region. Karras wrote North to Cree Lake many years after he left northern Saskatchewan, but the clarity of his memories is remarkable, as is his deep love of the North.

A farmer's assistant for $2 a day, a grain buyer, and ultimately a school administrator, Arthur Karras no longer hunted when he returned to civilization but continued to fish. The writing of North to Cree Lake occupied his thoughts for many years. Karras lived in Indian Head, Saskatchewan, with his wife and two sons, and wrote one other non-fiction book.

I enjoyed his writing style, decriptions and stories, which take place in the far north during the 1930's. I loved the fact that he went off memory and when he remembered no more about a paticular experiance, he moved on to the next memory. He just told it like it was. I felt like I could see everything through his eyes, feel the cold they endured, and the "pin drop" quiet of the north. I would highly recommend this book!


North to Cree Lake   June 17, 2000
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Art Karras' book, about he and his brothers trapping career in northern Saskatchewan is quite factual and certainly illustrates the trials and tribulations faced by the old-time trappers and adventurers in the 1920s and 1930s....


Trapping in northern saskatchewan in the 1930's   June 12, 1998
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Will be enjoyed by anyone who likes to read about life in the wilderness as it was about 60 years ago. A very matter of fact book that I found very interesting .


pure frontier history - two young men alone in the wilds   November 3, 1997
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I read this book while working on a mineral exploration survey in Northern Saskatchewan in 1974. The author and his brother preceded me by some 50-80 years. However many things about this wonderful part of Canada had not changed and it was easy to identify and imagine being with these fellows as they learned how to live and trap in the bush.... The writing is quite plain; but as the events are real they carry the book... (imagine your bro going lala while you are 500 miles away from the nearest civilizatioin...) Highly reconmended for anyone who loves the wilderness and adventure.... I believe I still have a copy kicking around here somewhere... Does anyone know how many copies where printed?