What do you think?
Rate this book
Kisiskatchewan
350 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
17 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 7, 2017
Kisiskatchewan by Barbara Huck. I picked this up from the Orkney bookshelf in the local library, having read my way through all the available George Mackay Brown collections and novels and many other local writers in addition.
I knew that Orkney had been a major supplier of manpower for the Hudson Bay Company operations in Canada, and this book, by a former Canadian journalist is based on the journals of William Tomison who beginning as a labourer for the HBC in 1760, rose to become Governor, Inland.
The book stays faithful to his journals, but parallel to the story of his travels and experiences in Canada is a story of a Cree brother and sister and the influence of the incoming Europeans on their lives.
It is a compelling and exciting tale, beautifully written. I particularly enjoyed also the description of Orkney croft life which makes a brief appearance during his short return to Orkney early in the book.
I would strongly recommend this book, and have tracked down a rare new copy for my niece who is studying journalism in Canada. I was lucky to come across it on this side of the Atlantic, probably because Barbara Huck visited Orkney some time ago. She is married to the 9th Earl of Orkney, and so the story also combines subjects known and of interest to her. It is powerfully written, not flinching from the uncomfortable truths that accompanied the opening up of Canada.
I knew that Orkney had been a major supplier of manpower for the Hudson Bay Company operations in Canada, and this book, by a former Canadian journalist is based on the journals of William Tomison who beginning as a labourer for the HBC in 1760, rose to become Governor, Inland.
The book stays faithful to his journals, but parallel to the story of his travels and experiences in Canada is a story of a Cree brother and sister and the influence of the incoming Europeans on their lives.
It is a compelling and exciting tale, beautifully written. I particularly enjoyed also the description of Orkney croft life which makes a brief appearance during his short return to Orkney early in the book.
I would strongly recommend this book, and have tracked down a rare new copy for my niece who is studying journalism in Canada. I was lucky to come across it on this side of the Atlantic, probably because Barbara Huck visited Orkney some time ago. She is married to the 9th Earl of Orkney, and so the story also combines subjects known and of interest to her. It is powerfully written, not flinching from the uncomfortable truths that accompanied the opening up of Canada.
September 22, 2016
I enjoyed reading historical information about Canada, but found a few things quite confusing. For a story about William Tomison, there sure was a lot about Many Birds, Aggatha, and Bear Caller. While I didn't mind reading those portions of the book, I wasn't sure if the author got her information from his journals, or made them up to flesh out the book. All in all, I'm glad I read this book, and would recommend it to others who enjoy history and learning more about Canada.
February 17, 2018
I enjoyed the story based on William Tomison, an Orkneyman who came to Canada's north as a young labourer for the Hudson Bay Company and rose eventually to chief factor. The book made clear the challenging life that the indigenous people faced that was worsened in some cases by the presence of the fur traders and explorers. It also painted a picture of partnerships that benefitted both and fostered personal relationships.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews