Northwest!

"Northwest!" by Harold Bindloss is an early 20th-century story about Jimmy Leyland, a young Englishman finding his way in Canada. After some bad luck, Jimmy meets characters like Stannard, a wise guide; Deering, a cheerful companion; and Margaret Jardine, an interesting woman. The book follows Jimmy's adventures in the wild as he learns about himself, explores themes of wanting more, values friendships, and sees the differences between city life and the rough nature of Canada. He starts out in a Canadian hotel, upset about losing money and thinking about his choices. As he gets to know Stannard, Deering, and Margaret his simple life changes when he starts ranching in the wilderness, teaching him about hard work and a search for meaning in his life.