When I began rereading The View from Castle Rock, I stumbled. It had not been a favourite and my return was not an easy one. I wondered if this had something to do with my personal response to the idea of expecting words to hold losses. I had lost a
Carrie's mother died on Tuesday. The loss has fragmented her view of the world, dulled her senses (or is that the alcohol?) and sharpened her wit. NeWest Press, 2015 Given the circumstances, the novel's narrative tone is a quick slap to the face, heightened colour left behind in
And, "Who Do You Think You Are?" McClelland & Stewart, 2006 As readers approach the final tale in this collection, it seems appropriate to have it titled with a question. Whatever might be resolved in the effort of creating a narrative in which to secure one's ancestors, one could
A new Friday fugue, running through this month, considering the ways in which our working lives appear on the pages of novels and short stories. Wasn't I just talking about novels set in bookstores? Yup, in last Friday's post (here). Gabrielle Zevin's book fits perfectly on that shelf. Arsenal
Henry K. Larsen -- star of Susin Nielsen's last novel -- was a savvy young fellow: "I know I can’t change my stupid red hair or my stupid freckles. But I can lower my freak flag." Tundra Books, 2015 In contrast, Stewart -- star of her most recent
