RU by Kim Thuy

Not sure if it's a subliminal message, but I almost forgot to review RU by Kim Thuy.  Finished it last week, in preparation for my book club meeting in December.

Called a novel, but really only a novella at a "whopping" 140 pages, this autobiographical work tells of Thuy's experiences from Vietnamese childhood through to her immigration to Quebec.

Stylistically, it is not a chronological presentation. The narrative thread jumps back and forth through time, and skips from topic to topic between pages. Many of the pages are a simple paragraph or two on an isolated topic.

It could be read as poetry. Not sure…I think that would have been more fair to the reader who struggles to bring it all together as a logical narrative.

Winner of the Governor Generals award. Who am I to disagree? 

More than a Tale…A Super Yarn: The Tale-Teller

Just finished Susan Glickman's most recent novel the Tale-Teller. Selected as the Vaughan Reads book for December 2013, Susan Glickman will be speaking at the Bathurst Clark Resource Branch of the Vaughan Public Library on December 8 2013 at 1 pm.  Mark your calendar now, as this is a great opportunity to speak with Susan about her research efforts, the creative process and the novel's fascinating twists and turns.

The Tale-Teller is a story spun around the real life experience of Ester Brandeau, the first Jewish woman to Canada in 1783.  Here's a little about Brandeau, as sourced from the Jewish Virtual Library: 

Esther Brandeau was actually the first Jewish woman to arrive in Canada in 1783. She was born in France and was able to come to the New World only because she disguised herself as a young boy. She named herself Jaques la Frague and became a well-liked apprentice on her ship and in the area of present day Quebec. Soon, however, Esther's mask was removed and both her gender and religion were revealed. 

As the lone Jew in the country, authorities in "New France" arrested her and attempted to convert her to Christianity. Esther was adamant in her refusal to convert. She wanted to live in Canada as a free citizen, but she also wanted to remain Jewish. The new government could not approve of her religion, and after a few years of correspondence with authorities in France, she was finally sent back to her home in La Rochelle. 

Esther Brandeau is an ideal representation of a woman who would do anything for her freedom except sacrifice her belief in Judaism. (Source: Taitz, Emily, Sondra Henry, Cheryl Tallan. The JPS Guide to Jewish Women. PA: Jewish Publication Society of America, 2003.)

I am going to confess that I usually run away screaming from anything akin to historical fiction. I usually find this genre predictable and repressive, steeped in English "stodge" that always seems to deal with the elite class struggling against the monarchy or the church. It makes me crazy, and it usually bores me to tears. 

However, Glickman delivers a refreshing and creative treat to her readers. The Tale-Teller was creative, entertaining and unique. It held surprises and led the reader through many adventures. The female characters were strong and well drawn. I enjoyed the telling of pirate attacks, camel rides through deserts, clashes with slave traders, grim nuns in Canadian convents, lunatic asylums etc.  This story really has it all.

Just when I was convinced that the story was headed for the dreaded Hollywood romantic roundup, the author stays true to her character's independent spirit, and wraps the tale up fittingly.  Glickman cleverly holds back some central details, keeping for the reader a delicious surprise or two that build a solid and satisfying conclusion. It is efficiently written, and well edited. 

I recommend this novel highly. The "Added Value" here is that the reader will discover a piece of Canadian history that has been neglected and untold for hundreds of years. Well done Ms. Glickman!

Vaughan Reads 2013: The Tale Teller by Susan Glickman

It's not too late to run out to the Vaughan Public Library and grab a copy of Susan Glickman's novel The Tale Teller.  Vaughan Reads is in full swing and it's latest selection is proving to be a delightful one.

I am only half finished, but I can tell you that it's a creative and imaginative historical story that is both captivating and well written. No compromising on this work; it really is great!

Susan at her Desk

Can't wait to meet the author also. As a part of the VPL Vaughan Reads program, there will be a meeting and discussion with Susan Glickman in December. What a treat! Here's a little preview of SG…She sounds like a fun character! http://www.susanglickman.com

Now, back to the book!!!

Starting Out in the Afternoon…A Delight!

Jill Frayne, daughter of June Callwood, tells of her personal journey into the Canadian wilderness. The analogy of Starting Out in the Afternoon might refer to her starting over again, or reclaiming and re-establishing her new life after a relationship ends, and her daughter leaves for university. One spring, she packs up her car, and starts out on a 3 month trip to northern British Columbia for a camping and kayaking expedition by herself. (I was surprised to find that she lived in Uxbridge…about 20 minutes away from my home!)

I share a passion for the outdoors--canoeing in freshwater is the best therapy for the soul. Like Frayne, solitary tenting has been a wonderful experience for me. I have enjoyed camping in Vermont and New Hampshire and tented on Long Beach just south of Tofino by  myself in my early 20's.  I have backpacked to the Isle of Skye and northern Scotland solo. Traveling alone, you learn a lot about a place, and even more about yourself. You have time to reflect on the life that you have stepped outside. You have quiet expanses of time in which you can observe your surroundings and watch life quietly unfold.  I loved Frayne's description of her sitting in a strawberry field writing. If I could choose a book to live out, this might be the book that I would want to experience (except for the failing marriage, and problematic parenting aspects!) 

Nuff about me, back to the book. This writing spoke to my soul. Frayne's novel read like poetry and effortlessly took me to the northern reaches of this great country.  Frayne's writing is like butter: smooth and delicious. The closer I got to the end of the book, the slower I read; like savouring the last few drops of an excellent wine.

As a general rule, I don't "dog-ear" the pages of a book, but I just had to mark these two passages:

"I went West in my car in 1990 like a person burned down, but I came back with seeds in my pocket for the rest of my life. To go into these last places, to go alone or to go with the companion I have found, long after I was content to have no companion, is all I'll ever need." p. 233

On discussing the Inuit culture seeing the world as entirely connected, both animate and inanimate objects sharing a concrete relationships, she revels in the culture that orients more to non-difference than to difference: "A bear and a skunk cabbage are much more the same than they are different. What would it be like, I wonder, if our first thought, regarding anything was to perceive the kinship, the non-distinction, rather than shorting out to the difference between things?" 

I was entranced by the imagery, and beautiful descriptions. A pleasure to read and I recommend it highly.

The Greatest Find While Shopping at Yorkdale

I love the boho vibe at Anthropologie in Yorkdale Mall Toronto. It's got cool styles to wear and unique pieces for the home. It's a fun place to explore with a coffee and a girlfriend.

Last week, I popped in after sorting out some computer problems at the Mac store. Here's what I found:

Not sure who they are quoting.

Isn't this Cool? A sculpture/head board of books.

Reminds me a bit of my night stand.

Did they glue them? Not sure. I loved it though.

And I liked this scarf too. It reminded me of my friend Elaine F.