Gaffer: A Novel of Newfoundland

by Kevin Major

Gaffer is a surreal, haunting novel of a young man tied to a place, but able to explore the depths of the sea and swim freely across the tides of time. Living in a dying outpost town and haunted by the memory of his father's death aboard the doomed Ocean Ranger, Gaffer is obsessively drawn to the sea. Miraculously, he is transformed into a fish-like creature capable of taking to the ocean, where he experiences episodes from Newfoundland's past, and is granted a dark vision of its future. With a master's grace, Kevin Major weaves the distinctive language of Newfoundland into a narrative that is both poetic and profoundly moving.

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Kevin Major is the author of 20 books, for both young people and adults. The first, Hold Fast, won several awards in Canada and was placed on the Hans Christian Andersen Honour List. It was released in 2014 as a feature film. His second book, Far From Shore, was the winner of the first Canadian Young Adult Book Award. Others which followed include Blood Red Ochre and Eating Between the Lines, winner of the CACL Book-of-the-Year Award.

In 1992 Kevin was given the Vicky Metcalf Award, for an outstanding body of work of significance to young people. The languages into which his work has been translated include French, Danish, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Hebrew.

An adult novel, No Man’s Land, about the Newfoundland Regiment in World War I, was published in 1995 to much acclaim. Kevin’s adaption of the story was brought to the stage by Rising Tide Theatre and has played for more than a dozen years.

His more recent books include the Christmas classic The House of Wooden Santas, and a history of Newfoundland and Labrador: As Near To Heaven By Sea (a Canadian best-seller and finalist for the Pearson Non-Fiction Prize). Ann and Seamus, a verse novel released in 2003 was shortlisted for a total of ten awards. It has since been turned into an opera. The adult novel New Under the Sun was published in 2010, book one of a trilogy of historical fiction. The second, Found Far and Wide, was released in 2016, and the third, Land Beyond the Sea, in 2019.

In 2018 Kevin started a projected serious of crime novels with One for the Rock. He anticipates the second will arrive in bookstores in the fall of 2020.

Kevin has been named Memorial University’s Alumnus-of-the-Year, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council’s Artist-of-the-Year .

John Moss, writing in “A Reader’s Guide to the Canadian Novel,” has said, “Kevin Major is among the best Canadian writers of his generation. He has established himself as a figure of singular importance in our literature.”

He lives in St. John’s, NL with his wife Anne. They have two grown sons.

Reviews

[Samuel Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am disappointed, but not shocked, by some of the reviews for this book. If you’re looking for a mind-numbing, thoughtless distraction of a book, this is not it. It takes some care and consideration to process, and it is worth it to do so. Despite the required effort, it is a quick read. History is seamlessly weaved into fantasy and mythology. The story follows a young bayman who is heartbroken by the changing of small town newfoundland’s way of life. He is not bound to time, and so is able to experience the rock’s past and future. The story itself is quite simple, to the books benefit.

[Connor · Rating 1 out of 5]

it was tthe worst book i have ever read it is so bad that i would enjoy reading the paper towel roll cover

[Rubberboots · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really sure what to make of this book. Not my type of style but was still drawn to the end of the story. Not a book I'd recommend as evident of me 2 star rating. . And yes I'm not from NF but very well versed in its history. This book brushes with historical events which are the best parts. Gaffer's passion, as noble as it may be, is over the top.

[Meg Morden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a poetic prose piece which deftly weaves history and fantasy into seamless whole. Major creates character with a light touch. Gaffer is the main character whose anger propelled him through time by way of tge connecting theme of the sea and the hardship of wresting a living on The Rock! I really enjoyed this book!

[Maplelittle · Rating 3 out of 5]

In order to fully appreciate this book (unless you are familiar with Newfoundland and Labrador history), I recommend reading or reviewing As Near to Heaven by Sea also written by Kevin Major.