For fans of historical fiction and/or Canadian history, Trappings is a book based on real people and events in mid-nineteenth century British Columbia. What's more, it offers a woman's view of politics and life during this time. Winn's passion for her subject shows in the historical details. Trappings tells a personal story of a woman … Continue reading Trappings by Vanessa Winn
I think most of us have heard of The Glass Hotel by now, after the huge success of Mandel's previous novel Station Eleven. That also means readers are expecting a lot from this novel, and I think Mandel was able to deliver. What a joy to experience the story and characters through her intricately woven … Continue reading #ShadowGiller: The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
Little Fortress by Laisha Rosnau Little Fortress is based on the true story of the Caetanis, a family of Italian nobility that came to the west coast of Canada as a result of the rise of fascism. After the death of the Duke in 1934, his wife Ofelia went into seclusion and took their daughter … Continue reading Women’s Voices in Historical Fiction: Little Fortress by Laisha Rosnau and A Roll of the Bones by Trudy J. Morgan-Cole
I'm on a roll with these criminal type characters; all of them mostly into drugs. Johnny from We'll All Be Burnt in Our Beds, Daniel from In the Cage, and now Jared. Jared is different, though, in a significant way - he's still a teenager, living at home with his mother. Except for the times … Continue reading Giller Shortlist: Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson
I finally decided to pick up one of Angie Abdou's books this summer. I've been meaning to for years now - I wish I could remember what it was that prompted me to do it - it was something I read about her last book, Between. So that's the one I started with. I loved … Continue reading Angie Abdou: Between, The Canterbury Trail, and The Bone Cage
The best thing about Aaron Cully Drake agreeing to an interview, is that I get another chance to tell you to go read this book. Go read it! (My review) The next best thing is getting to dig deeper into the inspiration behind the book, and into the mind of its author. Q: What inspired … Continue reading An Interview with Aaron Cully Drake; author of Do You Think This Is Strange?
Station Eleven follows the storylines of four main characters. Their stories span from thirty years before the Collapse to twenty years after it. The Collapse refers to the Georgia Flu pandemic that spread around the world in a matter of weeks and wiped out most of humanity. What remains are sporadic communities where most of the inhabitants stay … Continue reading Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
