Just in time, I have read the third of the three nominated books for the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, which will be awarded at the Atlantic Book Awards on the evening of May 10 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. And what an unusual and intriguing book it is. Blood Fable tells a story within a … Continue reading Blood Fable by Oisín Curran
Category: Atlantic Canadian Books
Atlantic Canadian Short Stories: Brennan, Skibsrud, and Crocker
A Certain Grace by Binnie Brennan A couple of years ago I read Binnie Brennan's novella Harbour View and loved it so much I was destined to go on to read her collection of short stories. It's hard to compete with Harbour View, but A Certain Grace is also a joy to read. A nice mix … Continue reading Atlantic Canadian Short Stories: Brennan, Skibsrud, and Crocker
Refugees: ‘The Boat People’ by Sharon Bala and ‘Homes’ by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah with Winnie Yeung
I usually opt for fiction to gain understanding and empathy for topics that are far from my own experience, but sometimes I come across works of nonfiction that are just as moving. I found Homes to be especially powerful, perhaps because the story is told from the perspective of the boy who lived it. In 2010, … Continue reading Refugees: ‘The Boat People’ by Sharon Bala and ‘Homes’ by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah with Winnie Yeung
The Stand-In by David Helwig (2002)
I read this book as an attempt to read more authors from Prince Edward Island. It was quite unusual, but a good find. It starts... It is death brought me here, ladies and gentlemen. I am not the man you wanted. The speaker has been asked to come give a lecture in place of Tarrington … Continue reading The Stand-In by David Helwig (2002)
Nova Scotia Heritage Day: Mona Parsons
Nova Scotia celebrates Heritage Day in February, on the same day that many other provinces in Canada celebrate Family Day. ( Here's a quick guide to the provincial differences.) I immediately became fascinated with this year's nominee - Mona Parsons - how could I not have heard of this remarkable woman before? Conveniently, there was … Continue reading Nova Scotia Heritage Day: Mona Parsons
In the Fall: A Short Story by Alistair MacLeod
Not long after writing about Alistair MacLeod's short story, The Boat, I started hearing about plans for making In the Fall into a short film, which you can read about here and here. It's going to be a beautiful film if they can capture the atmosphere from the story, but boy is it going to … Continue reading In the Fall: A Short Story by Alistair MacLeod
The End of Music by Jamie Fitzpatrick
I read The End of Music shortly after reading Most Anything You Please. Both are set in Newfoundland, both involve music as an important part of the characters' stories, and both are set (at least partly) during the war and post-war years. They share many similarities, yet are very different. Where Most Anything You Please … Continue reading The End of Music by Jamie Fitzpatrick
Rock Paper Sex: The Oldest Profession in Canada’s Oldest City by Kerri Cull
Here's what I got out of this book: Sex workers are everywhere, there are so many more than I would ever have thought, they come in all shapes and sizes and ages and genders, they could be anyone (maybe someone you know or work with). There is no one truth about sex work or the … Continue reading Rock Paper Sex: The Oldest Profession in Canada’s Oldest City by Kerri Cull
Most Anything You Please by Trudy J. Morgan-Cole
This multi-generational story about women in Newfoundland was a joy to read. The setting The story is set in Rabbittown, St. John's, and is told through the eyes of the three central Holloway women; Ellen, Audrey and Rachel. In 1936, when Ellen's family was still young, she opened up a corner grocery store below the living … Continue reading Most Anything You Please by Trudy J. Morgan-Cole
Malagash by Joey Comeau
Malagash is a gem of a book. And I can't think of anyone I wouldn't recommend it to. The title of the book refers to the community where the story is set. Malagash is located along the north shore of Nova Scotia, and is one of those places you can easily pass through without knowing … Continue reading Malagash by Joey Comeau
Consumed by Ink 