Comment

Jun 28, 2018mpye rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
This story had a long rambling start dealing mostly with McKelvey senior but having so many diversions it reminded me of one of those interminable Stuart Maclean Vinyl Café stories (yawn). Just when I was giving up hope the book turned to the younger generation and become moderately interesting. Then it did a most annoying switch back to rambling again. There was a similar backflip later and I found both switches were completely wrongly timed in the story telling. Just get on with what you were saying and don’t get distracted would have been my advice! I am always suspicious of the small-town setting where there is so much drama amongst so few inhabitants and history plays such a disproportionate part of everyone’s lives. West Gull has 600 or so inhabitants and I constantly questioned just how interesting such a place can actually be. Coupled with this flaw all the characters came over as very one dimensional. Carl (McKelvey junior) seems almost too good to be true, his bad boy behaviour neatly confined to the past. A better description of his difficulties struggling with his demons, along with the challenges of being more than he is assumed to be, would have enhanced this book. Chrissie who is so intense in her love but so passive in accepting her beatings and involuntary porn queen role. Fred a violent abuser and bully who still gets easily elected Reeve. Adam whose demeanour belongs to the most stilted and least passionate lover imaginable. Luke a selfish showman and master manipulator. Ned simply an immature simpleton. In summary it is difficult for me to understand how this book could have won the 1999 Governor General’s Award for Fiction and a Globe and Mail commendation. It is a very average work of fiction and Canada can surely do better.