by Margaret Craven is a poignant and introspective novel set in a remote Indigenous village in British Columbia. The story follows Mark Brian, a young, terminally ill Anglican vicar sent to the Kwakiutl village of Kingcome by his bishop, who believes Mark has much to learn about life, death, and community. Living among the Kwakiutl people, Mark gains insight into their traditions, deep connection to nature, and resilience in the face of cultural change and loss. As he grows to love the community, he witnesses their struggles, including the erosion of their culture due to outside influences, and learns profound lessons about human connection and the cycle of life. The novel's title reflects a Kwakiutl belief: hearing the owl call one's name signals an impending death. Through his journey, Mark learns acceptance and the true meaning of life as he quietly faces his own mortality. Craven’s book is a meditation on cross-cultural understanding, spiritual growth, and the beauty of life.