These meticulous character studies of children growing up to be adults in a tiny farm community in Canada are gripping and Zola-esque (but much shorter) tableau's where destiny and choice come to a head in the second to last chapter. So they are deeply satisfying reads... until the second to last chapter, because when destiny and chance come to a head, well, the experienced reader always sees an author making choices, so suddenly the "transporting away" evaporates which is a little disappointing. But 200 pages of fantastic prose for $19.95 (or free at your local library) is a bargain, natch. Thanks to Sheila Conway at SCU's Orradre Library for reading at the coffeehouse one day and prompting me to ask what the book was.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Mary Lawson - Crow Lake and The Other Side of the Bridge
These meticulous character studies of children growing up to be adults in a tiny farm community in Canada are gripping and Zola-esque (but much shorter) tableau's where destiny and choice come to a head in the second to last chapter. So they are deeply satisfying reads... until the second to last chapter, because when destiny and chance come to a head, well, the experienced reader always sees an author making choices, so suddenly the "transporting away" evaporates which is a little disappointing. But 200 pages of fantastic prose for $19.95 (or free at your local library) is a bargain, natch. Thanks to Sheila Conway at SCU's Orradre Library for reading at the coffeehouse one day and prompting me to ask what the book was.
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