Cupids

by Paul Butler

In the fall of 1611, John Guy prepares to return from his colony in Cupers Cove, Newfoundland, to Bristol, England, where he plans to woo Eliza Egret, the daughter of one of the principal stockholders of the colonization venture. Guy must return, however, with a prisoner, a mysterious young man named Bartholomew, who is responsible for burning the colony’s stored grain. As the presence of a convict might cause the backers to question his leadership, Guy chooses a radical course — to use the silken-tongued Bartholomew as an ally. So Guy and his companion enter a tale of intrigue and danger reminiscent of the revenge tragedies of the Jacobean period.

Longlisted for the 2011 ReLit Awards

183 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2010

About the author

Paul Butler is the author of novels The Widow's Fire (In press, Inanna, 2017), The Good Doctor (2014), Titanic Ashes (2012), 1892 (2008), NaGeira (Pennywell Books, 2006), which appeared on one of the judge's (Donna Morrissey) Canada Reads shortlists, Easton's Gold (Brazen Books, 2005), Easton (Flanker Press, 2004), Stoker's Shadow (Flanker Press, 2003), short-listed for the 2004 Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards, and The Surrogate Spirit, Jesperson Publishing (2000). The novels Easton, Easton's Gold and Nageira explore the apsects of the pre-colonial history of the New World. Butler has written for The Globe and Mail, The Beaver, Books in Canada, Atlantic Books Today and Canadian Geographic. He has contributed to CBC Radio regional and national. A graduate of Norman Jewison's Canadian Film Centre and screenwriter of the Archelon Films and Ontario Arts Council short film production, Solstice, Butler is a four-times winner (2003, 2004, 2006, 2008) in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Arts and Letters Awards.

Reviews

[Jerry Cranford · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A tale of both danger and intrigue . . . and an interesting read to boot." -- The Compass

"Butler does a good job of bringing out that 'unstated drama' in Cupids, the drama unfolding in the first person voices of various characters — most notably John Guy and Bartholomew. Butler provides enough detail to give you a sense of life in the 1600s, but not so much that it weighs down the characters and the story they are telling. Another of his strengths as a writer is an ability to quickly create a picture of a character, one that stays with you." -- Chronicle Herald

"Paul Butler's novel Cupids has brilliant insight to the beginning of what was once known as Cupers Cove and John Guy's adventures." -- Current

"Reminds me of prose that might have been penned by my favourite dead English author, Thomas Hardy." -- Southern Gazette

"A rich story filled with interesting characters and unpredictable plot twists." -- Downhome

"Butler provides solid descriptions of both the coast of Newfoundland and Bristol, England; where he excels is in his depictions of the human psyche: the servant who rebels against her station, the aunt who never forgets past wrongs, the willful daughter of a rich man. He has created memorable characters who could all easily be historical figures rather than imaginative figments." -- Historical Novels Review