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Landslide: The Jack Hickey Story
The residents of Harbour Breton, a small fishing village in Newfoundland, claimed that it rained for forty days and nights.
For forty days and nights, a prevailing southwest wind off the Grand Banks brought persistent rain, drizzle, fog, and sometimes torrential downpours. Root crops rotted in the ground, paint peeled off houses and fences, brooks and rivers overflowed their banks, and ponds and lakes swelled to bursting.
In the early morning of August 1, 1973, the earth could take no more. A mudslide, originating one thousand feet up the steep southside hill, cascaded down with explosive force. It crossed the road and smashed into four houses, tore them from their foundations, and swept them toward the sea. Twenty-two souls were hurled from their beds in a fury of destruction. By the grace of God, the majority survived, but four children—ages eight, seven, five, and four, all siblings—perished.
This is the story of one town’s confrontation with disaster, and Jack Hickey’s night of terror during the landslide that took away his four children.
For forty days and nights, a prevailing southwest wind off the Grand Banks brought persistent rain, drizzle, fog, and sometimes torrential downpours. Root crops rotted in the ground, paint peeled off houses and fences, brooks and rivers overflowed their banks, and ponds and lakes swelled to bursting.
In the early morning of August 1, 1973, the earth could take no more. A mudslide, originating one thousand feet up the steep southside hill, cascaded down with explosive force. It crossed the road and smashed into four houses, tore them from their foundations, and swept them toward the sea. Twenty-two souls were hurled from their beds in a fury of destruction. By the grace of God, the majority survived, but four children—ages eight, seven, five, and four, all siblings—perished.
This is the story of one town’s confrontation with disaster, and Jack Hickey’s night of terror during the landslide that took away his four children.
207 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2012
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 28, 2017
This book was highly recommended to me by a relative. So happy I did read it.
The Author does an amazing job of telling Mr. Hickey's story. This story really pulls on your heartstrings.....you really feel what this little town went through.
I would highly recommend this book to everyone....it will stay with you forever.
November 14, 2020
I devoured this book in two days and found myself surprisingly super invested in Jack Hickey's life. Although I'm from the area I had only learned about the landslide on a trip to Harbour Breton last summer, where I met Mildred (one of the people in this book). Equal parts nostalgia and absolute tragedy. Jack survived so much.
February 27, 2019
This was a vivid account of a tragedy that devastated a community. Despite the distracting use of similes around the middle of the book, I really enjoyed the story. I felt a kinship with Mr. Hickey and all those who tried to save his family and all they went through.
May 29, 2019
Given to me as a gift for my birthday. Very vivid and certainly touches the heart. A book I am sure I will never forget. Glad I found the time to read, not disappointed. Highly recommend.
May 20, 2023
A tragic tale that took place in Hr. Breton. Absolutely heart wrenching.
March 24, 2013
"Bruce Stagg, a well-known Newfoundland writer, has done a remarkable job in telling the story of the landslide at Harbour Breton on Aug. 1, 1973, which destroyed four houses, injured nearly 20 people and killed Jack Hickey's four little children, sparing the eldest and the baby." -- PEI Guardian
"If you’re interested in reading a story about a man’s ability to press on with life despite adversity of epic proportions, get your hands on Landslide and read Jack Hickey’s story." -- The Charter
"If you’re interested in reading a story about a man’s ability to press on with life despite adversity of epic proportions, get your hands on Landslide and read Jack Hickey’s story." -- The Charter
September 20, 2013
While the landslide happened before I was born, I grew up in the area and have always known about the events of that terrible August night. I was so drawn into the story, felt the emotion, was just swept by the wonderful writing that allowed everything to unfold. So happy I took the time to read it. So much more than the tragedy, hope and love is in there too. Highly recommend (don't forget the Kleenex).
July 13, 2014
This is an excellent book recommended to me by a friend which I finished in one day. The true story of the Harbour Breton Landslide in 1973 that took 4 children of the same family. I find it unbelievable that, born and raised in NL, I had never heard of this story. I recommend not only to all my friends in Newfoundland and Labrador, to read of our history, but to anyone out there. Its a love story, a tragedy, and a story of strength and the ability to overcome adversity.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews