Evocative story telling about the late 70s in Little Portugal, Toronto. De Sa captures the rapid (<1 year) and heart breaking transition in the life of a 12-year-old, from blissful innocence (well, not quite complete innocence because these are young boys), from simple adolescence to the knowledge that the world is a tough and gritty place with sinister characters. The nature of the time with rampant homophobia is described vividly. Thanks Steph, for this recommendation. De Sa’s previous book, Barnacle Love, has some back story but is not as good as Kicking The Sky.
Category: Location / Setting
The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins
This is a cracking good mystery, with misinterpreted observations, deceit and lies (intentional and unintentional). The writing is reminiscent of Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, et al) with two time lines that precede and follow an apparent crime. The main character in this novel is delightfully flawed, a real train wreck.
Broken Harbour by Tana French
This is a brilliant mystery; all of French’s books are a treat to read. There is very little place: the first half of the books is all procedural because a veteran homicide detective is training a novice partner, and then the psychological emphasis begins, the “why” of a horrific crime and unexplored secrets in the mind of the crime investigators.
Another French novel I read this month (The Secret Place) is set in a Dublin boarding school for girls: the 16-17 year old girls are secretive and manipulative with lies, deceit and gleeful bitchiness that confound the investigation into a murder. In other words, the mysteries of young adult female minds is explored wonderfully.
Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin
Vintage Rebus: two stories, a 30 year-old cold case and a contemporary crime. Rebus actually works with Malcom Fox from The Complaints which is a trying experience for all. The Scottish atmosphere (pubs, etc) is perfect.
Ellen In Pieces by Caroline Adderson.
This is a poignant, funny and sometimes sad story of Ellen, a 48 year old living in Vancouver. The story is mostly about the complex relationships between Ellen and her two daughters, her ex-husband, friends, etc. Excellent description of living on the West Coast. Adderson was at WordFest last Fall and so is a new find (for me) for Canadian authors.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20764874-ellen-in-pieces
Tatiana by Martin Cruz Smith
Another brilliant book about Inspector Arkay Renko in the depths of a Russian mystery: missing people, murder, corruption. The context of modern Russia in winter is perfect. Smith’s first Renko book is Gorky Park; Red Square is also brilliant as is Three Stations but it is worth reading the whole list, in sequence.
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
The story of Irish immigrants to NY tenements in the 1920s. Parents and siblings die in a fire so Niamh/Dorothy/Vivian at age 9 is loaded onto the orphan train and sent to the mid-west for hopeful adoption which generally becomes indentured servitude. The story is told as 1929-1943 flashbacks as the 91 year old Vivian is telling her story in 2011 to a contemporary participant in foster care. Parts of the story have a somewhat predictable Charles Dickensian feel, especially of the sad story of hopeless and cruel care at ages 9-10 but overall this is a very satisfying read.
The Age by Nancy Lee
First novel by a creative writing professor at UBC (her first book was the acclaimed collection of short stories = Dead Girls). The setting of this novel is 1984 Vancouver, a perfect portrayal of protests and terrorism, with a concurrent post-apocalyptic fantasy. Lee describes adolescent recklessness perfectly.
Leaving Tomorrow – David Bergen
This is an insightful and introspective book, typical of Bergen’s novels. The first part of the book is a perfect recounting of growing up in rural Alberta. Arthur describes his influences: isolation, books and school, religion, sibling rivalry, and conversations that leave much more unsaid than stated explicitly. The latter part of the book is a coming-of-age story in Paris. Just an excellent read.
What David Read 