Category: Canadian 5 out of 5s

Bernice Morgan’s — Random Passage *****

Bernice Morgan’s — Random Passage *****

When Lavinia’s family lose their fortune, they leave England for a remote settlement on Canada’s east coast. Here they toil beside a handful of residents year after year. With little farmable soil, they depend on the sea for their meagre livelihood.

A well told tale of hardship and survival of early European settlers in Canada.

Margaret Atwood’s — Alias Grace *****

Margaret Atwood’s — Alias Grace *****

Grace leaves Ireland to settle in Canada, but family hardship forces her into employment. When she moves away from her family to work for Thomas Kinnear, her life unravels. She is accused, along with another of Kinnear’s workers, of murdering Kinnear and his mistress.

This novel is based on the notorious nineteenth century murder when many believed Grace was evil and possibly insane, while others thought her innocent. So which is it?

Margaret Atwood is a prolific Canadian writer. For me, her two best novels are Alias Grace and The Handmaid’s Tale.

Mary Lawson’s — The other side of the bridge *****

Mary Lawson’s — The other side of the bridge *****

After Laura arrives in a small Northern Ontario community, she falls in love with charismatic Jake. Unlike his older brother, Arthur, he is unpredictable. Once Laura becomes pregnant, it is Arthur who stands by her and as time passes, Laura learns to love him. But years later, when the irresistible Jake returns, the old attraction returns, and the rivalry between the brothers causes a tragic accident that can never be mended.

This is the best book I’ve read of Mary Lawson.