A novel recently read by me, which some BFF people might perhaps enjoy. I’m a fan of the author: S.M. Stirling (of Canadian parentage, now living in the USA), whose writing straddles sci-fi / alternative-history / fantasy borderlines. Work in question, “Snowbrother”, is one of his earlier ones (publ. 1985; now, as I understand, out of print – got by me, from a second-hand dealer via “Amazon”). A supporting role is played in it, by the creature which is the subject of BFF.

The author is IMO an impressive polymath who researches with meticulous accuracy, the varied subject-matter of the fiction which he writes. I consider that in respect of this novel, he has done his homework diligently, as regards the scenario(s) for Bigfoot generally reckoned most likely, by those who approach the mystery from a scientific standpoint – although (see below) “the things which are not seen” also get in on the act.

The novel is set in a time some 3,000 years post- a nuclear apocalypse which, “running the numbers”, took place in the late 20th century. This event threw things far back for the humans who survived, and we are now in a sort of Iron Age equivalent. Geographical setting is North America: the Bigfoot habitat involved, is not the Pacific Northwest, but the North Woods, approx. Minnesota region. Story revolves around an engagement fought out between two mutually antagonistic tribes / groups, in this part of the continent. One group – inheritors / descendants of environmentalist / survivalist types -- dwells in the forests: they are self-sustaining as far as possible, with a strong “peace and harmony” ethic. The other group are warriors living on the great plains to the west and south, a la the fiercer Native American peoples of that region, a couple of centuries pre-our present day; they live largely by predation and plunder, serving thus – as far as they can – their milder forest-dwelling neighbours. By the way, the author deals with the two groups even-handedly – it’s not a cardboard “good guys / bad guys” thing.

There is a beyond-the-everyday aspect to the novel, by which both contending groups practice magic, of different respective kinds: and either it truly works; or those involved, believe that it works – which is apt to be “more than half the battle” in such matters. This is just an aspect – not what the entire story revolves round; we’re with “what can be seen and touched”, well over half the time.

Since millennia past, the woodsdwellers have established a wary-but-basically-friendly relationship between themselves and Sasquatch (whom they call “Snowbrother”) – principally by means of “common-sense” habituation, but also involving magical rituals by which the creature is “summoned” to their company / to their aid in time of peril. Quoting the words of a mystic of the woodsdwellers: “The Snowbrothers can be fierce, yes. That was one reason that we made our Pact with them, back in the days right after the Death, to prevent clashes. They have their place in the Harmony, too. And they’re very hard to see, if they want to be hidden; partly natural talent, and their intelligence, but also [ magical / mystical bit]… So it was they managed to live when humans overran the land and grabbed at every creature’s living space. After we became a rare animal again, they flourished.”

Part of the novel’s action is to do with the beleaguered woodsdwellers’ summoning to their aid, a sasquatch -- per the novel, the creatures occur in ones the majority of the time – especially in winter, when the story takes place : “[character’s words]: ‘They have large ranges, in winter. As you’d expect, they live in Harmony.’ Which meant a territory broad enough to support that much body mass without undue pressure. Only humans fouled their nests.” Their hope is, that the creature’s attributes often discussed on BFF: alarming size and demeanour, great strength and killing / destruction-potential (and readiness to use same) if hostile, sheer unfamiliarity, fear-instilling capacity – especially coupled with the “recipient” ’s being disposed to believe in unfriendly supernatural forces – will demoralise, and help to rout, the enemy.

“Snowbrother” appears fully in person, only at the very end of the novel. Author’s physical description of him, has him some 9 feet tall, and tallies with basic most-agreed-on witness consensus, of the hulking / huge-shoulders-and-torso version.

Won’t spoil things by giving away which side wins – but (of course I’m biased in author’s favour), I consider this book, a great read. It might stick in the throats of some on BFF who are very highly averse to the linking of Bigfoot to anything in the supernatural realm – even in the “fiction, purpose entertainment” ballpark – but I’d reckon that some, on the other hand, might enjoy it.

That sounds pretty interesting Frederick. Personally, I enjoy a little fiction every once in a while. I would think this type of book would equate to watching a Sasquatch horror movie. Not that the book you mention is a horror, but you view it for entertainment purposes.

Thanks for the info!

For most folk, entertainment is fun, and in that context, they suspend the strictest of their critical faculties / antennae. Re the book concerned, I'm impressed by the research which it seems that the author did, into "Sasquatch as seen from a scientific point of view", rather than just taking the easy "horror-monster" road. Writing as he did in the early 1980s, he couldn't have browsed BFF ! -- must have been, that he sought out the books. My impression certainly is, that Mr. Stirling doesn't take the easy way about anything.

I know this is a bit off topic, but I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction. I am looking for someone to make a bigfoot suite for my upcoming film. Please contact me with information, thank you. Joe Romano

evolutionpb@hotmail.com

Hi

What kind of film are you thinking about, Documentry, Horror, Drama, SiFi, Non Hoax, ?

First guy i can think of is " Bill Munns " for a suit that Hollywood would use

Peace
Tim