As with Genevieve Graham's novel, Come From Away, A Circle on the Surface is inspired by the rumours of German U-Boat sailors coming ashore along Canada's east coast during the Second World War. The heart of the novel, of course, is not about German soldiers, but of a marriage and how it is impacted by … Continue reading A Circle on the Surface by Carol Bruneau
Tag: Nova Scotia
Come From Away by Genevieve Graham
Previously, I have read Genevieve Graham's Tides of Honour, which is a love story set during WWI and the Halifax Explosion. Come From Away takes place during WWII, a generation later. Danny and Audrey Baker's children are grown - their three boys away fighting in the war and their daughter, Grace, at home with them. … Continue reading Come From Away by Genevieve Graham
In the Field by Claire Tacon
After reading In Search of the Perfect Singing Flamingo, Claire Tacon's new book, I discovered that she already had a book out called In the Field, published in 2011, and that this book is almost entirely set in rural Nova Scotia. The Setting It's no surprise that I love that this story takes place in … Continue reading In the Field by Claire Tacon
Waking Up in My Own Backyard by Sandra Phinney
In March 2015, Sandra Phinney was reading a blog post by Melanie Chambers that explained her summer plans to explore her city of Toronto as a tourist. Sandra contacted her to let her know she was inspired to do the same in her home town of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. And that's how The July Project … Continue reading Waking Up in My Own Backyard by Sandra Phinney
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
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
Peninsula Sinking by David Huebert
Look at the cover of this book. It couldn't be more stunning. With stories to match. Peninsula Sinking is David Huebert's first short story collection. He has won the CBC Short Story Prize, the Sheldon Currie Fiction Prize, and the Walrus Poetry Prize, and is the author of one poetry collection We Are No Longer the … Continue reading Peninsula Sinking by David Huebert
A Halifax Christmas Carol by Steven Laffoley
Before you start to think I'm completely obsessed with the Halifax Explosion, let me explain... When I first saw this book I thought it was going to be a twist on Dickens's A Christmas Carol, set in Halifax. Which it is... but it's not as close to A Christmas Carol as I was expecting it … Continue reading A Halifax Christmas Carol by Steven Laffoley
Dazzle Patterns by Alison Watt
As some of you may know, I have been working on a little project the last couple of years; reading novels that have a connection to the Halifax Explosion. On December 6th of this year, 2017, it will be the 100th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion. One of the things I find compelling about reading … Continue reading Dazzle Patterns by Alison Watt
The Boat: A Short Story by Alistair MacLeod #1968Club
Joining in on the 1968 Club this week seemed like a long shot for me until I came across this short story by Alistair MacLeod, published in 1968 and the first story in the collection Island. The Boat A Midwestern University professor looks back at his childhood in 1930s Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He grew … Continue reading The Boat: A Short Story by Alistair MacLeod #1968Club
Consumed by Ink 