A novel about Bigfoot, you say? Sign me up immediately! American Mythology by Giano Cromley is a heartfelt, multifaceted adult debut novel that invites readers into the strange world of the “Basic Bigfoot Society”. Set in the rugged landscape of western Montana, American Mythology follows Jute & Vergil, lifelong friends who share an affinity for the “North American Wood Ape”. They run the club and have annual expeditions. Jute himself has more personal stakes in the society. As a boy growing up, he and his father would go on camping trips in the Elkhorn Mountain Range. Jute has some recollections of rather ominous or cryptic things his father would tell him on such trips, until one day, Jute’s and his father have a disturbing incident while out in the wilderness. Then, his father disappears and never returns. This leaves Jute with questions and no answers well into adulthood.
One day, Dr. Marcus Bernard approaches the duo, with Vicky Xu in tow. Bernard is a renowned Bigfoot expert and Vicky, a budding and driven documentarian. Dr. Bernard’s intentions may seem true enough, but are they? During this time, Vergil’s daughter Rye returns home from college. Vergil invites her along and the group quickly becomes a quintet. Rye doesn’t trust Bernard and Xu’s intentions and wants to protect her father and Jute from being made fools of. Vergil himself also has other reasons to invite Rye along. He has a secret of his own.
As they embark on their adventure, strange occurrences begin to happen. Some challenge their perceptions of reality, blurring the lines of the truth. With this cast of characters and layered narrative, American Mythology delves into topics of skepticism, the search for meaning, and the complexities of human relationships. How well do we really know those we consider new and like-minded friends? Or the ones we idolize, like our parents? Is everything as it seems at face value, or is there more they hold back?
American Mythology unfolds through alternating points-of-view, a structure that allows the reader to learn personal histories and each individual’s motivations and thoughts on the mystery of the expedition. We quickly learn that each person’s intentions may not be what they portrayed. The varying degrees of belief among the travelers gives us some food for thought on the bigger issues presented to us: faith, the truth, and the unknown. This style allows us to really get to know each character and become more invested in their own personal arc.
Cromley’s narrative is spooky and at times comic, weaving a tale that explores themes of grief, friendship, and the mysteries of nature, both human and nature itself. The characters bring emotional depth to the story, making it more character-driven with a touch of the supernatural and unexplained. As the story progresses, our characters each learn something about the wilderness, themselves, and the idea of personal beliefs.
American Mythology really leans into the complexities of relationship and truth, most of all with fathers: Jute with his and Rye with Vergil. This sets a tone that does not rely on extreme suspense or jump scares to carry the reader through. We grow to know about these characters and their pasts, becoming invested in each persons true reason for being on this trip. The tale is captivating and relatable on many levels, none less than the complicated father relationship.
The novel’s title, American Mythology, in and of itself, reflects the real American myth that is Bigfoot and the blurry space between legends and reality. The Basic Bigfoot Society and their quest echoes with real-life human desire to find meaning in the unexplainable. This desire has endured centuries and is one that any person can identify with. Will our adventurers find the proof they seek? Or will they discover more about themselves along the way? Well, dear reader, you have to read to find out …
American Mythology is a compelling debut adult novel that gives us both adventure and topics of introspection. The novel is rich in thematic depth and invites readers to contemplate the stories that shape our perception of the world, both in personal relationships and the myths we have in our own backyards. Cromley’s writing is a letter from the heart to the never-ending human quest for meaning and seeking a bond with nature.
I had a great time with this novel. It was definitely not what I was expecting initially, but I really grew to care for the characters and things they were keeping secret, the reasons why, and how they all eventually come to light.
You can pick up American Mythology, published by Penguin Random House/Doubleday July 15th, 2025, wherever you buy your books!
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Born and raised in Montana, Giano Cromley is the author of two young adult novels and a collection of short stories. He is a recipient of an Artist Fellowship from the Illinois Arts Council and was a BookEnds Fellow with Stonybrook University. He is an amateur woodworker, a certified wildlife tracker, and an English professor at Kennedy-King College, where he is chair of the Communications Department. He lives on the Southside of Chicago with his wife and two dogs.
Image courtesy of Penguin Random House/Doubleday
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