What do you think?
Blood and Salt
They had committed the crime of being unemployed in bad times. Or simple of having come from lands ruled by the Austrian empire. They became "enemy aliens".
Taras Kalyna, a young man who deserted the Austrian army to search for his lost love, Halya, becomes one of these men. Imprisoned with hundreds of others in Banff National Park, he helps build a highway from Banff to Lake Louise. Conditions are brutal, the food poor.
His time in the camp isn't completely lost. He forges strong friendships and begins to learn about the wider world. Myro, an idealistic schoolteacher, tells him stories about the life of the great Ukrainian patriot and poet, Taras Shevchenko. Yuri, a farmer, teaches him optimism. And Tymko, a fierce socialist, helps him ask questions about his new country.
Taras has no way of knowing when, or even if, he'll be free again. But even imprisoned, he never stops think of Halya. Their stories develop in separate strands until the war is over. And then he'll be free to look for her.
Blood and Salt is a work of fiction grounded in actual details about the Banff-Castle Mountain internment camp. It explores the search for a new life and the search for love - all the while asking what it is to be Ukrainian.
Taras Kalyna, a young man who deserted the Austrian army to search for his lost love, Halya, becomes one of these men. Imprisoned with hundreds of others in Banff National Park, he helps build a highway from Banff to Lake Louise. Conditions are brutal, the food poor.
His time in the camp isn't completely lost. He forges strong friendships and begins to learn about the wider world. Myro, an idealistic schoolteacher, tells him stories about the life of the great Ukrainian patriot and poet, Taras Shevchenko. Yuri, a farmer, teaches him optimism. And Tymko, a fierce socialist, helps him ask questions about his new country.
Taras has no way of knowing when, or even if, he'll be free again. But even imprisoned, he never stops think of Halya. Their stories develop in separate strands until the war is over. And then he'll be free to look for her.
Blood and Salt is a work of fiction grounded in actual details about the Banff-Castle Mountain internment camp. It explores the search for a new life and the search for love - all the while asking what it is to be Ukrainian.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
448 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2012
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 4, 2013
Blood and Salt By Barbaa Sapergia This story ia based on true facts of the Ukraenians living in Canada being interned during WWI in Canada. The Canadians were fighting in Austria and Austria ruled over the Ukraine. The men from Ukraine were interned near Banff and the Castle Mountains in Canada. The author brought out how the men kept their spirits up, telling storys, remembering poems and playing cards then they weren't shoveling snow or clearing trails. they all wanted to escape and have freedom restored. The camp begain closing in the Spring of 1917. The men had a sense of pride for all the work they had done; they had never felt this before. Lost loves were found and rekindeled. (library Book)
August 17, 2015
Blood and Salt does a great job at exposing the horrors of internment camps and the nonsensical captivity of Ukrainian Canadians, whose people were conquered by Austria but were not sympathetic of Austria's cause. The Ukrainian scenes felt very fairytale-ish, contrasted against the darkness of Banff and Castle Mountain. Loved the scenes with Halya, but Taras Shevchenko's scenes felt too didactic, more like a textbook than a novel. Much of the book felt mechanical and clunky, like the author, in educating her audience in Ukrainian Canadian history, was too heavy handed.
Sapergia reveals the unjust actions of the Canadian government, but I think, lets it and Canadian citizens off too easily. Taras, the protagonist, mourns the loss of years quietly and does not protest his mistreatment in a vocal, active way. As well, the device of the American consulate felt far fetched and rushed, like the last 100 pages of the book. I really enjoyed much of this novel and think it does important work in exposed a shameful part of Canadian history, but it does not hold Canada accountable for its actions and the overall message is to remember, but to forgive. However, the Canadian government did very little to compensate Ukrainians whose lives were damaged by this program, and the forgiveness granted at the end of the novel feels like a defeat, a compromise.
Sapergia reveals the unjust actions of the Canadian government, but I think, lets it and Canadian citizens off too easily. Taras, the protagonist, mourns the loss of years quietly and does not protest his mistreatment in a vocal, active way. As well, the device of the American consulate felt far fetched and rushed, like the last 100 pages of the book. I really enjoyed much of this novel and think it does important work in exposed a shameful part of Canadian history, but it does not hold Canada accountable for its actions and the overall message is to remember, but to forgive. However, the Canadian government did very little to compensate Ukrainians whose lives were damaged by this program, and the forgiveness granted at the end of the novel feels like a defeat, a compromise.
July 13, 2019
3.5
This book tells the story of the Ukrainians put into interment camps in Canada during World War One. Little was taught about this part of Canadian History--similar to how three was little known about the Japanese internment camps of World War Two. it is good to make people aware of what happened, but at times this novel tries to be too philosophical when pondering politics and freedom. Regardless, a decent read and educational as well.
This book tells the story of the Ukrainians put into interment camps in Canada during World War One. Little was taught about this part of Canadian History--similar to how three was little known about the Japanese internment camps of World War Two. it is good to make people aware of what happened, but at times this novel tries to be too philosophical when pondering politics and freedom. Regardless, a decent read and educational as well.
February 8, 2013
This book is a must-read for anyone with Ukrainian roots. Or anyone who cares about social injustice and racism in Canadian history. Or anyone who wonders how men with disparate personalities can forge bonds closer than brothers. Or anyone who enjoys a poignant love story...
The story begins just before World War 1 when the Canadian government is courting Ukrainians to homestead on the raw, open Canadian prairies. Our protagonist, Taras Kalyna, flees to Canada with his peasant family to avoid conscription into the hated Austrian army. They head to Spring Valley Saskatchewan because Taras's sweetheart, Halya, was taken there by her father who refused to allow the young people to marry. In Saskatchewan Taras cannot find Halya, but he helps his parents scratch a living from the dry, hilly, stony grasslands.
After Canada enters the war, Taras is arrested and sent to an internment camp at Castle Mountain near Banff. His English is poor and he cannot understand what has happened. He is accused of spying for Austria but he hates Austria. Taras and many other Ukrainians are deprived of freedom for over two years before the government realizes the economy needs their labour. Finally they are parolled to work in coal mines or on the railway.
Until then they are kept in deplorable conditions, forced to chop trees in frigid conditions wearing threadbare clothes, and kept alive with minimal portions of watery gruel. Amongst the three hundred prisoners, a small group of men take shape as Tatas's friends. They look out for each other and entertain each other with nightly stories. As these stories unfold the reader is drawn into Ukrainian history, culture and the longing for an independent country free of the yoke of Russian, Austrian or Polish masters. Under the tutelage of Tymko, the socialist, Myro the professor, Yuriy the farmer and others, Taras grows from a naive, untried youth into a strong leader who can articulate his beliefs.
And what about the love story, you ask? The reader follows Hayla's struggles with racism, hardship, illness and marriage prospects. Do the childhood sweethearts ever re-connect? You'll have to read the story to find out.
The story begins just before World War 1 when the Canadian government is courting Ukrainians to homestead on the raw, open Canadian prairies. Our protagonist, Taras Kalyna, flees to Canada with his peasant family to avoid conscription into the hated Austrian army. They head to Spring Valley Saskatchewan because Taras's sweetheart, Halya, was taken there by her father who refused to allow the young people to marry. In Saskatchewan Taras cannot find Halya, but he helps his parents scratch a living from the dry, hilly, stony grasslands.
After Canada enters the war, Taras is arrested and sent to an internment camp at Castle Mountain near Banff. His English is poor and he cannot understand what has happened. He is accused of spying for Austria but he hates Austria. Taras and many other Ukrainians are deprived of freedom for over two years before the government realizes the economy needs their labour. Finally they are parolled to work in coal mines or on the railway.
Until then they are kept in deplorable conditions, forced to chop trees in frigid conditions wearing threadbare clothes, and kept alive with minimal portions of watery gruel. Amongst the three hundred prisoners, a small group of men take shape as Tatas's friends. They look out for each other and entertain each other with nightly stories. As these stories unfold the reader is drawn into Ukrainian history, culture and the longing for an independent country free of the yoke of Russian, Austrian or Polish masters. Under the tutelage of Tymko, the socialist, Myro the professor, Yuriy the farmer and others, Taras grows from a naive, untried youth into a strong leader who can articulate his beliefs.
And what about the love story, you ask? The reader follows Hayla's struggles with racism, hardship, illness and marriage prospects. Do the childhood sweethearts ever re-connect? You'll have to read the story to find out.
February 5, 2015
In 1915 Canada declared war on Germany and Austria. In what is one of the most shameful and despicable times for the Canadian government, they interned over 8,000 immigrants, mostly Ukrainians, as enemy aliens. Part of Ukraine was under Austrian rule at the time. These were immigrants that the Canadian government pursued to come to this country to fill many jobs and to break land in the prairies. These were proud and patriotic Ukrainians who wanted a country of their own and if not Ukraine than Canada. They hated the various rulers of their country over the years, Austrian, Polish and Russian. There was never any evidence then or ever that these individuals were subversive in any way. The government acted on fear and ignorance and was unwilling to listen.
Internment camps were set up across the country. No evidence was required to arrest individuals, many of whom who owned land or held down good jobs in this country. This book tells a fictionalized version of one of these camps in Banff Alberta. The internees were charged with building the first road from Banff to Lake Louise and also to build a 9 hole golf course amongst other things.
Being a Canadian of Ukrainian heritage, this was a hard book to read. The way the government treated the internees was worse than how prisoners of war were treated. However, the resilience and spirit of my forefathers came through loud and clear. The story focuses on several of the internees, providing us with some history and also a love story.
What is most troubling about this event is that the Canadian government learned nothing from it. They did the exact same thing to Japanese immigrants in WW2 but went further even still by arresting whole families including children and interning them as enemy aliens. Are we going to see yet another example of this ignorance and fear at work with the new terrorism bill the government has introduced that gives unfettered power without oversight? This has got to stop!
Internment camps were set up across the country. No evidence was required to arrest individuals, many of whom who owned land or held down good jobs in this country. This book tells a fictionalized version of one of these camps in Banff Alberta. The internees were charged with building the first road from Banff to Lake Louise and also to build a 9 hole golf course amongst other things.
Being a Canadian of Ukrainian heritage, this was a hard book to read. The way the government treated the internees was worse than how prisoners of war were treated. However, the resilience and spirit of my forefathers came through loud and clear. The story focuses on several of the internees, providing us with some history and also a love story.
What is most troubling about this event is that the Canadian government learned nothing from it. They did the exact same thing to Japanese immigrants in WW2 but went further even still by arresting whole families including children and interning them as enemy aliens. Are we going to see yet another example of this ignorance and fear at work with the new terrorism bill the government has introduced that gives unfettered power without oversight? This has got to stop!
October 27, 2012
This is a book that I knew I'd be fascinated by: it tells the story of Ukrainian Canadians who were placed in internment camps during WWI, under the mistaken assumption that they belonged to the AustroHungarian empire and were therefore enemy aliens.
The fact that there were Ukrainian internment camps comes as a surprise to many people; but there were, both in Western and Eastern Canada.
This is a book written in a simple, conversational tone. It isn't fancy. It tells an important story in a way that feels as if you're sitting listening to someone talk. The main character is Taras Kalyna, who immigrated with his parents after they feared he was going to have to fight in an upcoming war for Austria. Taras' true love Halya immigrated ahead of him with her father and grandmother, and Taras swears he will find her.
It's a rich tale that is paced well and reveals injustice and horror, as well as loyalty, friendship and true love. You don't have to be Ukrainian to enjoy it, but you will certainly learn about the Ukrainian Canadian experience if you do read it! Highly recommended for anyone looking for stories of Canadians that have remained untold for many years.
Full Review at The Indextrious Reader
The fact that there were Ukrainian internment camps comes as a surprise to many people; but there were, both in Western and Eastern Canada.
This is a book written in a simple, conversational tone. It isn't fancy. It tells an important story in a way that feels as if you're sitting listening to someone talk. The main character is Taras Kalyna, who immigrated with his parents after they feared he was going to have to fight in an upcoming war for Austria. Taras' true love Halya immigrated ahead of him with her father and grandmother, and Taras swears he will find her.
It's a rich tale that is paced well and reveals injustice and horror, as well as loyalty, friendship and true love. You don't have to be Ukrainian to enjoy it, but you will certainly learn about the Ukrainian Canadian experience if you do read it! Highly recommended for anyone looking for stories of Canadians that have remained untold for many years.
Full Review at The Indextrious Reader
December 8, 2014
This book may be viewed as a history lesson, a love story, an ethno-political dissertation or an account of survival of adversity. In fact it is all of those and more. Above all, it reminds us of a shameful episode in Canadian history, largely forgotten today except by Canadians of Ukrainian background. The protagonist, Taras and his fellow detainees certainly undergo the trials of Job, made particularly painful by the fact of their total innocence of any wrongdoing or evil intent. Their only sin was to have been born in a land that was occupied and ruled by Austria, a country to which they certainly bore no allegiance. This injustice was surely even more unconscionable than the WW2 internment of Japanese immigrants. It's likely that the politicians and even the general public of that era would deny that the prisoners were as badly treated as the book portrays and they would almost certainly claim that the extreme punishment meted out to Taras and his associate never happened. No matter; the very fact of their interment and forced labor without any justification is cause enough to condemn the actions of the authorities of the day.
Quite apart from all that, the author creates a set of entirely believable and likable characters and tells a very fine love story that held my attention right to the end.
Quite apart from all that, the author creates a set of entirely believable and likable characters and tells a very fine love story that held my attention right to the end.
March 5, 2015
I learned a lot about the history my country never really talks about. Sadly, the truths about serfdom and freedom still apply today.
April 21, 2015
I really enjoyed the book. With having a Ukrainian heritage, and knowing about the internment camps, this story added the human side to the facts. I encourage everyone to read it!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews