Another Place at the Table

by Mary Cook

In 1911, a thirteen-year-old Mabel Ernestine Lapointe ran from the heartache of her life in an Ottawa tenement house, and set off on a journey that took her to the giddy heights of New York City. Tragic circumstances forced her return to Canada, to a desolate farm in Renfrew County during the Depression years- a place from which she longed to escape. Another Place at the Table is Mabel's story and the story of the farmer who became her husband, offering the young widow and her two children the only sanctuary they could hope for. This is CBC radio broadcaster, author and storyteller Mary Cook's tribute to the remarkable woman who was her mother.

148 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a reading challenge that was hosted by my local library. I had high hopes for this book and was excited to learn more about the past in Renfrew County.

I will begin by saying that I did find the local history enjoyable and the photographs of the Haneman family to be heart warming, but overall, I feel like this story was lacking on many levels.

I know the author is a renowned story teller and journalist throughout Renfrew County, but her pen to paper writing is bland and hard to relate to.

As someone who didn't grow up during the Depression, I would have liked it if this story had had more nitty gritty details of what it was really like to raise five children on a farm with barely any food or money. It must have been exhausting and overwhelming, but this wasn't conveyed in the book.

What was it like to care for children who weren't yours...was it really just as simple as adding another place at the table, or was there resentment between the biological children and the child you took in and fed and clothed when you couldn't afford to do so? Did you ever feel any sort of love towards the farmer who took you in, or did your marriage always remain as passionless as you let it seem? So many things were not addressed in this book, or if they were, they were just quickly glossed over.

Too bad...this could have been a really good story.

[Beatrice Moffitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book although I felt bad for Mabel and Albert at different times. I have read some of her other books and this answered a lot of my questions.

[Karen Rowsome · Rating 5 out of 5]

a short read - local writer local story based on real life. i enjoyed because i remember stories from my mom and country life - not for everyone

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good and compelling story but I didn't like how it skips ahead so much every few chapters and the ending felt really abrupt and unsettled. But having said all that I read it straight through and was really engrossed in her life - just wish a few more details were given.