Raised in Ruins: A Novel, Tara Neilson, author.
It was 1980, when the Neilson family decided to move to an uninhabited part of Union Bay, Alaska, to live in an area once occupied by a cannery that had been destroyed by fire. Originally, they were supposed to go there with others to create a community, but the others backed out. Gary and Romi stuck to their dream and took their five children, none older than 11 down to the youngest who was 4, and began to live a very different kind of life, isolated from society and with only basic amenities.
The author, Tara, was 9 at the time. Her memory is astounding as she relates the story of the years she spent in that remote area, using her own childhood notes to assist her. The encounters with wolves, bears, hunters and strangers fill the tale and boggle the mind, because it is true. The resilience of the children who were able to adapt to a life of such minimalist existence is remarkable. The story rings out with their adventures, and their cavalier approach to danger seems unbelievable. Their carefree attitude is obvious as they wildly explore their wilderness, raise their animals, mourn the loss of some, forage for wood, clear the land, plant gardens and assist in the construction of the buildings which serve as a school and a home. The story is inspiring and terrifying at the same time as they manage to survive against all odds, at times.
Romi is a woman with a great imagination and Gary is a Vietnam War veteran who suffers from PTSD. Compulsive, he is driven by a need to complete whatever he starts, and that quality makes his efforts successful. He often seems superhuman. He works as a logger during the week and returns to their home at the ruins of the cannery on weekends. Like a demon, he works to build whatever structures they require and seems to instinctively know how to create and build what they need. The mere fact of wanting to create something is inspiration enough to inspire him to keep on trying. He never gives up. Every weekend, if at all possible depending on weather, he comes home from his logging job bringing with him all the necessary supplies they need to exist.
The lifestyle the children experience affords them with opportunities to solve their own problems and to grow strong and confident. They thrive and seem happy and content to do without the luxuries others seem to require, and they seem not to miss them, almost as if they never knew them to begin with. Creature comforts were not something any of them demanded. They adapted easily and appeared to suffer very little stress. They ran barefoot around the ruins of the cannery, exploring and making up games, laughing and enjoying the many dogs and cats they acquired. They were each other’s companions, and except for the mention of the eldest brother, Jamie, whose behavior sometimes seemed too violent and mischievous, they shared a harmonious existence.
The courage and camaraderie of the children and the parents tells a story of survival with out material things that is admirable. Their great talent for creating pleasure together, satisfied their need for socialization. Their mother gave them rules they often broke. She was not a helicopter parent. Actually, she was quite the opposite, often laughing with them when they planned pranks that shocked her. Because their father suffered emotionally from his war experiences, they generally walked on thin ice around him, though he sometimes surprised them with his occasional affection. He worked hard and expected the family to work alongside him.
Romi and Gary seem to have raised their children to become responsible, independent adults. On the whole, they were a very happy family. Although there are many novels written about families that attempt to leave civilization and live in the wilderness, this true story made me feel that for this family it was especially worthwhile for all of them.