Far Creek Road
Far Creek Road by Canadian author Nancy Krueger is pictured here with my tortie Scout (yes, I give my cats literary monikers). Far Creek Road is an endearing, funny novel that examines serious adult topics through the eyes of precocious Mary Alice Parker, affectionately known as Tink. In the backdrop of Tink's vivid social world, Krueger authentically tackles communism, the Cuban Missile Crisis, prejudice, and a marital affair. The author effectively creates an adult sub-world wherein hypocrisy and judgment abound. While I loved Tink's narrative voice and the character of her best friend, Norman, I did find the dialogue and Tink's internal monologue hard to follow at times. I often found myself also longing for something actually to happen in the novel, in lieu of suggestions of action hinted at in hushed tones. I did enjoy Tink's observant take on adult conversations and small-town ugliness. As a teacher, I also appreciated the comment on the significance -for better or worse- that these figures play in a child's daily life. In sum, a read that is worth the time, particularly if you enjoy social commentary and child narrators.
Ducks
Image left: Kate Beaton's cover in lower foreground. Early ducks and geese on Rideau River in the background.
Though Kate Beaton's text was only the seond graphic novel I have ever read, I could not put it down. A beautifully written, melancholic and autobiographical account of her years working in Alberta's oil sands, the tale relays her coming-of-age search for work to pay off her student debt. Beaton explores personal identity with authetnticty. Broader themes of Indigenous land rights, environmental protection, worker exploitation, and toxic misogyny are explored. Beaton with writes sensitivity and nuanced insight. This book is a must-read. Places and topics referenced struck deep personal chords: my mother is from Newfoundland, I completed two degress in Nova Scotia, and my three grown sons are bogged down in university student debt. One side note: though frame by frame, the story is hanunting and captivating, I would have equally embraced the text and message, prose alone.