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Book Cover for: American Mythology, Giano Cromley

American Mythology

Giano Cromley

Reader Score

82%

82% of readers

recommend this book

Critic Reviews

Great

Based on 3 reviews on

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A charming and comic debut novel about a quirky ensemble embarking on an epic quest to find Bigfoot

"American Mythology is a riveting, big-hearted novel about a group of pilgrims who encounter both the mysteries of nature and ultimately those of the human heart. Giano Cromley has given us a much-needed reminder that, if sought, wonder may yet be found in our world." --Ron Rash, author of The Caretaker

Every month at St. Pete's Tavern in rugged western Montana, a meeting is convened by the Basic Bigfoot Society's members--both of them. Jute and Vergil are lifelong friends, bound by an affinity for the elusive North American Wood Ape. Their monthly meetings and annual expeditions are a tradition that keep their friendship alive when so much else about their small town has fallen away.

But things are about to get exciting for the Basic Bigfoot Society. Dr. Marcus Bernard, the country's foremost Bigfoot "expert," approaches them with a proposition that seems almost too good to be true: to join their next expedition, along with an ambitious young documentarian, Vicky Xu. Thankfully, Vergil's daughter Rye is home from college, and decides to tag along in order to make sure her dad and Jute aren't made fools of. Once in the woods, strange things begin to happen to them that seem to defy rational explanation. Is this a hoax? Or are they on the precipice of the greatest anthropological discovery ever?

A spooky adventure story and a wry and heartwarming tale of friendship, American Mythology is a fabulous debut about the power of belief and our sacred bond to nature.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Doubleday Books
  • Publish Date: Jul 15th, 2025
  • Pages: 304
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 9.40in - 6.40in - 1.40in - 1.05lb
  • EAN: 9780593688182
  • Categories: LiteraryFamily Life - GeneralFairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology

About the Author

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 Stony Brook 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.

Critics’ reviews

Praise for this book

"American Mythology is a riveting, big-hearted novel about a group of pilgrims who encounter both the mysteries of nature and ultimately those of the human heart. Giano Cromley has given us a much-needed reminder that, if sought, wonder may yet be found in our world."
--Ron Rash, author of The Caretaker

"With mysteries most eerie, abiding, lifelong friendships, and an earnest desire to believe in wonders bigger than ourselves, American Mythology has completely stolen my heart. Is the Basic Bigfoot Society taking on new members? Sign me up!"
--Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Child

"Giano Cromley's American Mythology brings together a ragtag group of explorers on that most quintessential American quest: finding Bigfoot. Each has their own reason for being in the wilderness, and each has secrets. The story is fast-paced, funny, spooky, and has incredible generosity of spirit. American Mythology is a testament to the magic of friendship, the necessity of protecting our natural resources, and the astonishing power of belief. It's the Bigfoot novel we need right now."
--Nora Fussner, author of The Invisible World

"An absolute delight. American Mythology is an action-packed story about friendship, art and the nature of belief. It's also funny, mysterious and filled to the brim with heart. Giano Cromley has written exactly the book we need right now."
--Daisy Alpert Florin, author of My Last Innocent Year