Barkskins

Barkskins is an epic historical saga that chronicles the brutal colonization of the North American wilderness and the catastrophic deforestation of the continent over the span of three centuries.
The story begins in the late 17th century with two French woodcutters (or “barkskins”), René Sel and Charles Duquet, who arrive in New France as indentured servants. While René is forced to live a harsh, grueling life tied to the land and blends into the native culture, the opportunistic Charles escapes to build a massive, ruthless timber empire. The novel follows the starkly contrasting paths of their descendants across generations as they exploit the natural world, build global industries, and witness the tragic displacement of indigenous populations alongside the rapid ecological destruction of the world’s forests.