Deep River Night
Deep River Night by Patrick Lane McLelland and Stewart 2018
the Choice: There are many reasons why I picked up this book: he's the husband of Lorna Crozier, he writes poetry, his other novel was so lyrical, his other novel was also pretty dark, and finally, my new job at the library gave me an opportunity to grab this to read First.
the reader in me: I didn’t get around to writing this until months after reading the book. But according to ‘Good Reads’, a WWll vetran, Art is an alcoholic first-aid man in an isolated sawmill village in the interior of B.C. set in the 1960’s. The story revolves around one night when his supervisor arrives at his door to ask for help. What unfolds will force Art to confront acts of evil, both in the present and the past, as well as the tragic consequences of his own inaction. alternating with Art's story are the stories of Joel, a teenaged runaway who owes his life to Art, Wang Po, the mill's cook, Alice, a young indigenous girl sold from the residential school, and Cliff, a Metis man with a hidden past.
the critic in me: Yes, I would be intrigued to pick up this book due to the sideways photo on the cover alone. The story quickly pulls you in and the different points of view about life in this BC town back in the olden days is worth the read. The descriptions and characters all come together very quickly, making the reader need to get to the end in record time while savouring every word. this is a true Patrick Lane. 'Dread hangs like a shroud over Patrick Lane’s Deep River Night' says Quill and Quire. I agree.
the writer in me: What a great way to give your reader all the confusing emotional stuff going on in a story. Using the viewpoint of several characters throughout the book keeps the reader a bit unbalanced and asking for more. I am going to post this without my attempt to do any writing, but maybe someday will add something fabulous. But want to post before I forget the exciting discovery and allure of this great Canadian book.
the reader in me: I didn’t get around to writing this until months after reading the book. But according to ‘Good Reads’, a WWll vetran, Art is an alcoholic first-aid man in an isolated sawmill village in the interior of B.C. set in the 1960’s. The story revolves around one night when his supervisor arrives at his door to ask for help. What unfolds will force Art to confront acts of evil, both in the present and the past, as well as the tragic consequences of his own inaction. alternating with Art's story are the stories of Joel, a teenaged runaway who owes his life to Art, Wang Po, the mill's cook, Alice, a young indigenous girl sold from the residential school, and Cliff, a Metis man with a hidden past.
the critic in me: Yes, I would be intrigued to pick up this book due to the sideways photo on the cover alone. The story quickly pulls you in and the different points of view about life in this BC town back in the olden days is worth the read. The descriptions and characters all come together very quickly, making the reader need to get to the end in record time while savouring every word. this is a true Patrick Lane. 'Dread hangs like a shroud over Patrick Lane’s Deep River Night' says Quill and Quire. I agree.
the writer in me: What a great way to give your reader all the confusing emotional stuff going on in a story. Using the viewpoint of several characters throughout the book keeps the reader a bit unbalanced and asking for more. I am going to post this without my attempt to do any writing, but maybe someday will add something fabulous. But want to post before I forget the exciting discovery and allure of this great Canadian book.
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