WE BRING YOU AN HOUR OF DARKNESS

A feisty Western newspaper sheds light on eco-terrorists.

In Elkhorn Canyon, Oregon, a man explodes a small bomb that temporarily disrupts power in the area. The ominous note he leaves behind reads, “We bring you an hour of darkness.” This is the work of the Jack Frost Collective, a small group dedicated to stopping development of a new ski resort in a forested area where a lynx is rumored to live. Damage and disruption are minimal, as intended. Although local citizens call the group members eco-terrorists, they have no intention of harming anyone, ever. That’s a dramatic lowering of the stakes, which is fine for the locals but deflating for readers. Almost no one is ever in physical danger, not even Tish Threadgill, editor of the Flyer, the underdog daily newspaper scrambling to scoop the more powerful Bulletin, nicknamed the Bully, to get to the bottom of the story. Meanwhile, the Collective’s tactics are curious. For example, they burn a man’s house only after ensuring that no one is inside. In fact, they remove all furniture and personal belongings and set them on the lawn out of harm’s way. Inspired by the 1971 novel A Screwdriver in the Gears, these people want to hurt no one, so “terror” overstates the case. The stakes are high for the Franklin Skiing Co., of course, but also for Tish, the protagonist, and her hard-working staff. Not only must they fight to get the story, but she must also fight to make payroll in the light of pressure from the bank. The Flyer’s very existence could be on the line, which for the story outweighs the ski resort controversy. The dedicated employees and the constant pressure they face offer a glimpse into the realities of a small-town newspaper. Tish is an admirable person, but the solution to her financial woes is no surprise and recalls the deus ex machina of ancient Greek plays.

Imperfect but enjoyable and nonviolent.