Review: Crimson Arrows by Eyad H. Yehyawi

For someone who has never hunted an animal in their life, the prospect of a collection centered around bowhunting may not hold much immediate appeal, but Crimson Arrows: A Bowhunting Odyssey by Eyad H. Yehyawi is much more than it may initially seem. This book is a heartfelt exploration of youth and growth through the lens of a hunter finding his feet in that sport – and in his entire life.

The first thing one notices about Yehyawi’s writing is the sincerity; each story hums with personal touches and genuine emotion. He is able to dig through his memories, some from decades in the past, and pluck out striking moments of authenticity. It is one thing to recall and connect seminal events in one’s life, it is quite another to find wisdom in those experiences. Yehyawi writes with an original voice all his own that is both poetic and confident.

The stories he has gathered here – from his first downed buck and a frightening encounter with a black bear to chasing down wild turkeys in Florida and shooting boar on the snowy cap of the Cumberland Plateau – are complex and multifaceted. They are not only a study in the skills required to be a truly great hunter, but also an homage to America, and the great wilderness that still exists here. There is a long and proud tradition in this country for hunting, and wilderness bowhunting requires an even greater level of dedication and reverence. The author captures that energy and spirit beautifully in these pages.

As mentioned, you don’t need to be a hunter to appreciate these majestic ideas, but if you are avidly against hunting, it will be harder to appreciate his message. Even so, the honorable aspect of bowhunting is clearly presented in a humble way, which is not self-congratulatory in the least, nor does this book glorify the hunting of animals. More, there is an emphasis on patience and perseverance, which may just strike a chord, regardless of where your moral lines stand on hunting.

This book may be a portrait of the author through a specific lens, but hunting has clearly provided a formative code for his life. The guidelines forged through daunting trials and ecstatic successes extend far beyond the chapters of this book, or the boundaries of the forest. Whether Yehyawi was intending it to be or not, this collection is an impressive celebration of living well in all ways – and staying wild.

On the technical side of things, there are few errors or criticisms that can be offered. The writing is polished and clearly well-edited, and the stories flow at a good pace. Some of the detailed sections of exposition about different hunting techniques or equipment may be uninteresting for the uninitiated, but there is something endearing about that level of detail. The author is a man dedicated to his craft – both as a writer and a bowhunter – and both of those qualities come across powerfully in this collection.

An emotive collection of adventure and personal exploration, Crimson Arrows may focus on becoming an expert in a particular sport, but it is also refreshing for an author to take such an unabashed look at their achievements and failings, and spill that truth so gracefully on the page.