The subtitle “A Novel of John LeCarre’s Circus” is not surprising because Harkaway is the son of the late John LeCarre. Nevertheless, it is remarkable that the author can resurrect the character of George Smiley so perfectly. It is 1963, the missing decade between “The Spy Who Came In From The Cold” and “Tinker, Tailor …”. Smiley epitomizes watchfulness, the exercise of paranoia, and the awareness of constant danger. The plot is, of course, complex with a missing spy and action in London, Berlin and Vienna – very enjoyable.
Category: Location / Setting
The Life Cycle Of The Common Octopus – Emma Knight
Pen(elope) and Alice are Canadian BFFs who attend university in Edinburgh, in part so Pen can learn about a mystery involving her father’s prior relationship(s) in Scotland. The story builds slowly but effectively with elements of female friendships, first feelings of love, and sacrifices of motherhood. And much withholding creates a compelling mystery. This is a very fine first novel that was Giller short-listed.
Finding Flora – Elinor Florence
The setting: Alberta in 1905. A single woman and a widow with three children attempt to homestead land near Red Deer. Their efforts are complicated by weather (hail storms, brutal winter cold) and yes, sexism. There are dastardly villains but, spoiler alert – a happy ending. So, historical fiction featuring female resilience. Thanks Joyce, for this recommendation.
The Bookshop – Penelope Fitzgerald
Florence Green, a middle-aged widow, opens a bookshop in a small Suffolk coastal town. Her business is opposed by an influential and ambitious local woman who conspires to have Mrs. Green evicted. So, this is a satirical examination of stiffling small-town English cruelties and injustices. Overall, a very short read but very worthwhile.
Black Cherokee – Antonio Michael Downing
This is a book about belonging, identity and race. It is also a tender coming-of-age story. Ophelia is a mixed-race Black-Cherokee child of uncertain parentage, raised in South Carolina by her indominable grandmother. Ophelia’s lack of belonging is evident in her community where whe is neither Black or Cherokee, in her school, and in a devastating exposure to church hypocrisy. A chance listen to this author at the October WordFest has resulted in a very worthwhile read.
My Name Is Emilia Del Valle – Isabel Allende
Another excellent novel of historical fiction by Ms. Allende. Emilia is born in San Francisco in 1886 after her Irish mother was abandoned after a brief affair with a Chilean aristocrat. She grows up to become a strong self-sufficient young woman and an independent thinker. She begins to write pulp fiction and then turns to journalism, all using a male pen name. In 1891, she travels to Chile and becomes embroiled in a brutal civil war. Her war experiences are truly harrowing; overall, this novel is spellbinding.
The Tiger And The Cosmonaut – Eddy Boudel
This Giller short-listed story is set in a remote area of the Sunshine Coast in BC. Three adult children return to their hometown when their father goes missing. Is this an early stage of dementia, or something else? The siblings must also confront the mystery of a missing brother from more than 20 years ago. This is an emotional story of identity in the face of secrets. There is also underlying violence and meanness that is unsettling, both in the past and now in the present. Overall, an unforgettable tale of survival and unspoken love.
Lullabies For Little Criminals – Heather O’Neill
This is Ms. O’Neill’s first novel, written almost 20 years ago and winner of Canada Reads in 2007. Baby is a 12-13-year-old girl living in Montreal with her single father Jules who is entirely irresponsible. Thus, O’Neill captures the exuberance of youth, with some breathtaking bad choices and the absolute lack of a moral compass. This is really a story of a life on the street, completely without self pity. Be advised: this is a gritty story with danger and extreme cruelties, and some sickening realities of feral children and their reckless decisions. A must read.
The Homemade God – Rachel Joyce
Ms. Joyce is an exquisite writer, and this book is one of her best (along with The Music Shop). Four siblings travel to Italy because of the unexpected death of their father. At the Lake villa, they also meet the much younger woman their father has married recently. This is a relationship story, about fragile familial bonds, the paralysis of grief, about beauty and pain. The writing is beautiful and very evocative, so be warned: tears will emerge. Overall, this is a moving, insightful and imaginative story with a brilliant ending. Highly recommended.
What David Read 