Dollybird

by Anne Lazurko

Housekeeper or whore? A dollybird is either or both in the vocabulary of the prairie west in 1906, leaving the community to draw its own conclusions about who and what Moira is and isn’t. Determined to find redemption in the midst of their derision and to find joy despite uncertainty, Moira faces impossible choices with consequences beyond anything she can imagine.

Thrown into the purgatory of a bleak prairie landscape as unforgiving as her mother, twenty-year-old Newfoundlander Moira Burns is certain she will rise above the locals of Ibsen, Saskatchewan. Until the reasons for her flight west become clear. Until she is befriended by a prostitute and courted by a ‘half breed’. Until she becomes the “dolly-bird” of superstitious Irish Catholic homesteader, Dillan Flaherty.

Scattered through with birth, death, and the violent potential of both man and the elements, Dollybird excavates the small mercies which come to mean more than they should on a prairie peopled with characters struggling under a huge sky that waits, not so quietly, for them to fail.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Book Club, Canada

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2013

About the author

Anne Lazurko is an award-winning novelist, a no-awards farmer and a sometimes poet. As the youngest of six daughters born to Dutch immigrants, she grew up with a nuanced view of people and their stories.

'What Is Written on the Tongue' (April/22 ECW Press) was shortlisted for the Glengarry Book Award. Her first novel 'Dollybird' won the Willa Award for Historical Fiction and Anne received a 2018 Saskatchewan Foundation for the Arts Literary Award.

A graduate of the Humber Creative Writing program, Anne is published in literary magazines and anthologies. An active editor, mentor and teacher in the prairie writing community, she writes from her farm on Treaty 4 territory in Saskatchewan.

Reviews

[Kim O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would you like a look into the life of a Maritime woman making her way as a professional doctor in early 1900's? The key figure in this novel is respected and successful until an incident causes her to be outcast from family, medical school and social life. Sent across the country to Saskatchewan as a Dollybird, her tale of resilience is told. Lazurko's writing flows easily, but the story she tells is not an easy one for us in this century to understand. Opportunities today were forged by women like this, and the bonds created from prairie struggles and shared experience.

[Elizabeth Boyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading out of my usual comfort zone lately, and found this book a fascinating look at life in rural Saskatchewan--given that my grandfather's family settled there after emigrating from Scotland. Moira is an interesting character, naive at times, and in others she marches forward with a "modern" practical sense that is out of touch with her new community. I liked following along with her story, but would have liked more book. It seemed too sparse for me at times. Dillan was a bit more difficult for me. I found him problematic and in need of a good kick. But I suppose that was the point.

[MargaretDH]

I read about a quarter of this, but put it down because it was trite, poorly researched (bohunk was a very specific slur used for Eastern European immigrants to the prairies - NO ONE would have called a second generation Irish immigrant in Nova Scotia a bohunk) and I could already see the sappy ending.

Your mileage may vary.

[Simone Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Chantal · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Lisa Guenther · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5-5 stars!

I found the characters very engaging. I could see how they changed and grew as the novel progressed, and it was completely realistic to me.

I've been in a bit of a reading slump this summer - trying to get through some heavy books, and busy with other things. But this book is exactly what I needed to kick start my fall reading. The plot sucked me right in - I burned through the last 100 pages in one evening. I think I finished the entire book in three or four days. I'm normally a slow reader, so that's a good clip for me.

It was also clear Anne did her research. The details about medicine (or lack of) at the turn of the 20th century made the characters and plot more credible. Also many good details about the setting (Ibsen and area, which was near Moose Jaw/Weyburn).


A wonderful piece of historical fiction.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

i enjoyed this book. It reminded me of a historical romance novel in ways but would make a good book club read. So many topics to discuss.

There are a few editing mistakes in the ebook version that do not appear in the printed version. It made for a rough start for me.

For a first time writer, I thought it was well written and had a very interesting plot. It felt a little unfinished in a way that I can not articulate. Need to digest it a little more.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was so well done. I honestly couldn't put it down. Lovers of THE BIRTH HOUSE by Ami McKay will love this. Definite must read.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Not certain all aspects were realistic but still very interesting.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A major achievement - Great read!

Canadian author Anne Lazurko tackles the early 20th century fabric of misogyny with a story that should be a part of all women’s rights movements. Lazurko lives in Saskatchewan, the locale of the story, and that factor enhances the tenability of this richly meaningful novel. Originally published in 2013, this new edition, heralded by excellent cover art, now makes this fine novel available to a larger audience as the women’s rights movement gains strength.

Both atmosphere of locales as well as character development are fine tuned as the novel opens: ‘Crowds of young men milled about the Halifax train station, kissing teary-eyed girlfriends and ducking hugs from worried mothers. I watched the scramble of limbs and luggage and listened to the boisterous talk from a perch on top of my overstuffed suitcase. Some of the men glanced my way, then quickly away again….They were heading west for jobs and excitement. I was heading west because I was pregnant, because my mother insisted I spend nine months in Moose Jaw. In Saskatchewan.’ That is a great curtain opening for the story that follows: ‘Twenty-year-old Moira, the daughter of a Newfoundland doctor, dreams of becoming a doctor herself; but when she becomes pregnant out of wedlock, she is banished to the bleak landscape of southern Saskatchewan in 1906. There, she must come to terms with her predicament, her pioneer environment, and her employment as a “dollybird,” a term applied to women who might be housekeepers, whores—or both. A saga of birth, death, and the violent potential of both men and the elements, Dollybird explores the small mercies that mean more than they should under a vast prairie sky that waits, not so quietly, for people to fail.’

Impressive both as a well-scribed novel and as a mirror on the struggles women faced in that period - and still face today. This is an important literary work - very highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was a visceral, captivating, and engaging historical fiction read. The author did a wonderful job of using imagery and atmosphere to their advantage, taking readers deep into the past to experience the hardships and struggles of life in the west. The grit and harsh conditions of the atmosphere during those times added to the wealth of struggles the protagonist faced, and really brought the era to life in the reader’s mind so perfectly.

Yet it was the powerful themes of double standards found between the expectations of men and women during those times, and how misogyny has plagued our world for so long, that really drew me into the narrative. The violence and cruelty of men and the unfair expectations placed upon women to fit a particular mold in society and live a certain way to be considered “civilized” was felt through every chapter of this book, and it was through protagonist Moira that the reader really felt the strength and resilience of her journey. The way she fought for what she believed in and made her own way in the world despite her “banishment” and yet found the means to learn the skills to survive in the wilds of the frontier made this a compelling read.

The Verdict

Visceral, captivating, and entertaining, author Anne Lazurko’s “Dollybird” is a must-read historical fiction novel. The twists and turns in the narrative will keep readers hanging onto the author’s every word, and the memorable themes will resonate with readers today in a very profound and heartfelt way.

[Romuald Dzemo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollybird by Anne Lazurko is a tale of resilience that follows a woman who suddenly loses almost everything that once mattered to her — her profession as a doctor, medical school, and family, thanks to an unfortunate incident. Now she is thrown into an unfriendly, uncomfortable world across the country to Saskatchewan as a Dollybird. Follow Moira Burns' prairie struggles and challenges as she tries to rise while struggling to understand the reasons why she is here.

Will her life and core beliefs stay the same when she becomes friends with a prostitute and a dolly-bird to the superstitious Dillan, an Irish Catholic homesteader?

This is a tale of grit and resilience and the author does an impeccable job of portraying what it felt like to rise as a woman in another time and age. The difficulties that Moira goes through are cleverly portrayed in this narrative and the author imagines and executes a setting that is vividly drawn and that pulls readers into the story.

[Randi Samuelson-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It took a complete unknown concept for an American (and I know about prostitutes) and wrote a fascinating book about a particular facet of settling western Canada. The main character is very likable (in my opinion) - and is a smart, headstrong young women with whom I can connect.
HIGHLY recommended.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written book for a first book. As I am also from Saskatchewan, Canada, where the author is from, I found it very interesting and enjoyed reading about places and activities that I have experienced myself. In addition, it is a good story and a good read that I found hard to put down. I'm hoping for a sequel!

[Colleen Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great description of life in the early 1900's in Saskatchewan and how people had to band together to survive. It was also a good depiction of a woman's place in the world at that time. I found the start a bit uneven, but I grew attached to the characters -- their strength and resilience.

[Paige Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this story. I like its “short and sweet” style delivery. Moira is a great heroine and I like that she over powers Dillians character. And it wasn’t a “typical” storybook/romance ending. Great first book by Lazurko.

[Anita Alton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I feel it could be 200 pages more and still be a great read. There were many “sub stories” inside it - with lots of rich characters. It would make a great Netflix series. The writing was good - and the story was engaging - and realistic. I’d recommend this book.

[Brianna Nestor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down once I started. Great storyline, interesting characters and details that really make you feel like your there.

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet. 1906 Saskatchewan. Strength and resilience of character. Captivating description of place.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this turn of the century tale of an independent, unwed young mother making a life for herself and homesteading in small town Saskatchewan.

[Laura Veitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something particularly satisfying about reading Canadian authors. This story is set in an era I find interesting and in a place I know little about: perfect.

[Bonnie Kellogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story. This book is not my usual type of read, but I enjoyed the departure.

[Teddy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollybird, by Ann Lazurko, a story of Saskatchewan in 1906, blends two perspectives of life on the prairie frontier. Neither Moira nor Dillan, the two protagonists thrown together by circumstance, can be dissuaded by even the harsh weather and the prejudices they encounter--they will survive. She's banished from her home on the east Canadian coast because of an unwed pregnancy; he's been left by his young wife's death with a young child and loads of guilt. Though the title suggests Dollybird is Moira's story, it becomes their joint tale when she agrees to be a "dollybird," a woman housekeeper who in that time might also have been a prostitute, a definite departure from her dream of becoming a doctor.
I won't spoil it for you by detailing all the harrowing situations and the difficult lessons they each learn. I will only say that Lazurko is a writer to watch. She deftly shows the depths of the characters and competently plots the never-easy paths their lives take. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1906, Moira is training to be a doctor in Newfoundland. Her training is interrupted by her unexpected pregnancy. She is sent to another part of Canada where through no fault of her own, the money her father gave her is lost. In desperation, she accepts a contract to be a Dollybird. Her job is to look after Dillon’s son, Casey, and do all the household chores. First, they live in a tent on his newly acquired property, then in a sod house built through the generosity of their neighbors. Silas, a kindly neighbor, teaches Dillon how to clear and farm his land and survive the harsh conditions of the Saskatchewan prairie. Moira, using her medical knowledge, answers calls for medical assistance from the community. Moira plans to return to Newfoundland and continue her medical training. Will she return to her home or will she stay in Saskatchewan? It is an excellent story which describes how people survived in primitive conditions as they tamed the harsh land and adapted to rural life in Saskatchewan. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the historical knowledge it provided.

[Ashleigh Mattern · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I started reading Dollybird, I was excited about the familiar setting: my home province of Saskatchewan. But even before the main character's train pulled in to Moose Jaw, I realized this was not going to be the same province I know and love. The setting and circumstances were so alien, I may have been reading one of my usual science fiction novels. About a doctor-in-training from St. John's who is sent to Saskatchewan to hide her pregnancy, the story is very much about what it was like to be a woman at the beginning of the 20th century. And yet, the two viewpoint characters, Moira and Dillon, are ahead of their time, feminists before there was a word to describe them as such, making them easy for 21st century readers to relate to. Many exciting and terrible events happen throughout the book, but the most gripping part is the characters' developments. This novel is a fine debut novel from Saskatchewan writer Anne Lazurko; I'll certainly read whatever she comes out with next.

[Edna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story. I became so immersed in the characters that I worried about them when I wasn't reading. And there is so much to worry about! Life on the prairies in 1906 was difficult, but Moira is dealing with more difficult issues than most people heading west to homestead. She's pregnant, her family wants her gone, her lover has left her, and she's heading west with the loser cousin of the family who instantly gambles away all of their money. I was furious on her behalf through most of the story! Not only is this an education on the difficulties of settling an unbroken prairie, but there is a lot here about the social system and morality of the time that made me thank god for feminism. I loved the ending too, it was perfect for the woman Moira became.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moira is a 20 year old woman from Newfoundland who was her father's favorite. She wanted to be a doctor just like him and was enrolled in Medical School in 1906. She often accompanied him when he was called out on medical emergencies. But when she becomes pregnant by another medical school colleague, she is sent to Saskatchewan in disgrace. Her cousin is given the task of accompanying her but he loses all her money in a poker game while still on the train. She arrives in a small town destitute. Now she has to find a way to earn enough money to support herself until after the baby arrives and she can return home to continue her studies. We learn how difficult it was for homesteaders during the early 1900's. I hope there will be future books with this character.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollybird

Well researched and beautifully written. This is by far the best book I've read all year. From the first page, Lazurko immerses the reader in a gripping tale of struggle and survival on the plains of Saskatchewan in the early 1900's. The characters are well drawn and realistic; their hearts are laid bare and are as open as the western landscape portrayed in the story. A well-written masterpiece. I loved it.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book directly from the author a few months ago and added it to my to-read pile beside my bed. I am a little disappointed that I let so much time pass before reading it as its a great story by a Saskatchewan author. Set in 1906 in southern Saskatchewan Dollybird tells the story of 20 year old Moira - an aspiring physician from the east coast - who ends up pregnant and alone in Saskatchewan working as a dollybird (houshold helper) for a young single father also from the East struggling to make a homestead. Wonderful characters, engaging story, very well-written.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story set in Saskatchewan in 1906. My how our world has changed. Many people only had the strength of their backs to see them through. I liked the characters, they are well developed and felt real. It was a book I read quickly as I was eager to see what was going to happen next. It ended differently than I imagined it would. There could be a sequel to this, I don't think Moria is going to spend the remainder of her life on the farm.