Renée Thompson
Writing the American West
Books
The Plume Hunter
from Torrey House Press
A moving story of conflict, friendship, and love, The Plume Hunter follows the life of Fin McFaddin, a late-nineteenth century Oregon outdoorsman who takes to plume hunting—killing birds to collect feathers for women’s hats—to support his widowed mother. The novel brings to life an era of our country’s natural history seldom explored in fiction, and follows Fin’s relationships with his lifelong friends as they struggle to adapt to society’s changing mores.
The Bridge at Valentine
from Tres Picos Press
In this remarkable retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, The Bridge at Valentine presents a realistic and poignant portrayal of life in 1890’s Idaho. July Caldwell, the daughter of a sheepman, and Rory Morrow, the son of a cattleman, find themselves embroiled in their fathers’ bitter feud to control the rangeland. The battle over grazing rights pits family against family, resulting in a tragedy from which July and Rory struggle to recover. But with tragedy comes triumph and hope for the future—and ultimately, a young woman’s determination to strike out on her own.
Essays
“…fresh, innovative, courageous, and compelling…Renée Thompson’s work brings heartbeat
to the page.”
— Krista Minard, Editorial Director, Sacramento Magazine
Stories
“...profoundly resonant and deeply satisfying.”
Reviews
Praise for The Plume Hunter
“…a literary drama sparked by expert dialogue and visualized through an acute sense of place.” – Allen Pierleoni, The Sacramento Bee
“…Renée Thompson’s gripping novel transports the reader to a time when our nation was trying its best to grow up, yet seemed mired in its own awkward 'teen' years…I read this book in one sitting, finding it no easier to put down than Fin did his hunting guns.”
— Bill Thompson, III, Editor, Bird Watcher’s Digest
“No better attempt at explaining the passion and dedication of Ducks Unlimited volunteers and members could be given than this deep and abiding connection with the natural world.”
—Dale Hall, CEO, Ducks Unlimited
“…a compelling chronicle of avarice, betrayal, and redemption.”
– Tim Gallagher, The Grail Bird
“I really enjoyed this book. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of a bird hunter and the complex social, economic and personal issues swirling around the birth of the conservation movement.”
— David Sibley, The Sibley Guide to Birds
Praise for The Bridge at Valentine
Selected as the WOODLAND READS 2014 Community Novel
“…very original and very appealing. Renée Thompson has an angle of attack that is all her own.”
—Larry McMurtry, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Lonesome Dove
“…an imaginative, fiercely moving new debut.”
—Caroline Leavitt, author of Cruel Beautiful World and Pictures of You
“…an immensely satisfying and well-crafted book.”
—Adrienne Crezo, The Best Damn Creative Writing Blog
“With Lonesome Dove and Legends of the Fall as bookends, The Bridge at Valentine takes a reader quickly into a woman’s perspective of the American West, a place I wanted to stay until the very last page. Renée Thompson gives us singular images, creates vivid and authentic characters, and defines a way of life when women seeking their own way required sacrifice and a churning of the soul. A fine, fine story well told.”
—Jane Kirkpatrick, award-winning author of The Memory Weaver
Appearances
About Renée
Renée Thompson writes about her love of birds, wildlife, and the people who inhabit the American West. Her second novel, The Plume Hunter, received outstanding endorsements from David Sibley, Bill Thompson, III, and Tim Gallagher. Her first novel, The Bridge at Valentine, received high praise from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Larry McMurtry, and was selected as the Woodland Reads 2014 Community Novel. She lives in Folsom, CA.
Contact Renée
Curious about falconry, or the plume-hunting trade in the late 1890s?
Renée is happy to meet with your book club to talk about her novels, stories, and upcoming work.
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