No Paradise with Wolves: A Journey of Rewilding and Resilience

This passionate debut from nature writer Stacey recounts her experience rewilding a farm in northern Spain. She and her partner, Luke Massey, a photographer, moved to the Asturias region in 2018 with a plan to investigate endangered Iberian wolves, which were often hunted by locals because of their reputation for destroying livestock. The couple purchased a crumbling farmstead and set out to turn the property into a wild farm, restoring the land to its natural state and creating a haven for wildlife. Stacey recounts the ups and downs of the experience: handling animals like goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, and bees; struggling with a new language; meeting new neighbors (both hostile and helpful); planting a natural garden; nurturing a wildflower meadow; and giving birth to two sons. Throughout, Stacey and Massey work to combine their passion for protecting wildlife with the need to support their growing family. Along the way, they learn that they can promote coexistence with wolves, and wildlife in general, by sharing the story of their farm and inviting people to tour it, demonstrating that living in community with nature is possible. Lyrical and hopeful passages (“I truly believe that one day soon we can all enjoy a paradise with wolves”) paint an immersive portrait of rewilding. Readers will be inspired. (Dec.)