September Character Spotlight
Dan Alders
High Hunt
Well, I decided to start with a not-so-known character to many Eddings
fans. I thought if you want to be an Eddings fans, you had better be a true fan and look at everything Eddings made. Now, onto the character. (If you
are looking for a summary of High Hunt, here it is.)
Dan Alders was born in the Pacific Northwest. His family was not ideal. He had a drunkard mother, and that left an often unconcerned father to care for him and his brother Jack. While Dan was generally easygoing, Jack was always high-strung, and was absolutely possessed to win at everything. Dan was the younger brother. It was the late 1960's, so Dan joined the Army right out of high school. He really didn't care for it too much, and left when the opportunity presented itself.
Then he met up with his brother again, and they enter a sort of alliance. While Jack has gotten married (several times), Dan is still the bachelor. He spends some time with Jack and his buddies, getting drunk and swapping stories. Dan meets some of Jack's friends, Cal Sloane, a rich owner of many businesses. He also meets Lou McKleary, a person who has a knack for getting into trouble. He also meets Clydine, who is vehemently against the Vietnam War. Even though it may seem impossible, Dan finds love in the little fiery woman.
Although they have their differences, Jack and Dan decide to go on a deer hunting trip into the mountains. At that time, Jack enters a fierce competition over with Lou on who is going to get an albino deer that is constantly on the mountain. Then Cal gets sick, and must be taken down from the mountains. Dan must keep the peace, so that things do not go out of hand. Tensions mound and mound until finally, Lou shoots the deer. However, it is so badly maimed no one would want it. Dan must finally confront his fears and concerns with his brother and come clean. He becomes a person more confident of himself. Even with all the seeming turmoil, Dan found his place in life.
Go back to my main page