Lytton: Climate Change, Colonialism and Life Before the Fire

by Peter Edwards, Kevin Loring

From bestselling true-crime author Peter Edwards and Governor General's Award-winning playwright Kevin Loring, two sons of Lytton, BC, which burned to the ground in 2021, offer a meditation on hometown―when hometown is gone.Before it made global headlines as the small town that burned down during a record-breaking heat wave in June 2021, while briefly the hottest place on Earth, Lytton, British Columbia, had a curious past. Named for the author of the infamous line, “It was a dark and stormy night,” Lytton was also where Peter Edwards, organized-crime journalist and author of over a dozen books, spent his childhood. Although only about 500 people lived in Lytton, Peter liked to joke that he was only the second-best writer to come from his tiny hometown. His grade-school classmate’s nephew Kevin Loring, a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation at Lytton First Nation, had grown up to be a Governor General's Award-winning playwright.The Nlaka’pamux called Lytton “The Centre of the World,” a view Buddhists would share in the late twentieth century, as they set up a temple just outside town. In modern times, many outsiders would seek shelter there, often people who just didn’t fit anywhere else and were hoping for a little anonymity in the mountains. You’ll meet a whole cast of them in this book.A gold rush in 1858 saw conflict with a wave of Californians come to a head with the Canyon War at the junction of the mighty Fraser and Thompson rivers, one that would have changed the map of what was soon to become Canada had the locals lost. The Nlaka’pamux lost over thirty lives in that conflict, as did the American gold seekers. A century later, Lytton hadn’t changed much. It was always a place where the troubles of the world seemed to land, even if very few people knew where it was. This book is the story of Lytton, told from a shared perspective, of an Indigenous playwright and the journalist son of a settler doctor who quietly but sternly pushed back against the divisions that existed between populations (Dr. Edwards gladly took a lot of salmon as payment for his services back in the 1960s). Portrayed with all the warmth, humour and sincerity of small-town life, the colourful little town that burned to the ground could be every town’s warning if we don’t take seriously what this unique place has to teach us.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Canada, Indigenous, Audiobook, Ebooks

376 pages, Hardcover

Published June 25, 2024

About the author

There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Stephanie’s Libby Antics · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this from the library because I wanted to hear more about the people and place that was impacted by the 2021 fire.

I learned a whole lot more than that!

I had no idea that Lytton was being considered for the provincial capital back in the day (like, the BC gold rush day).

I also had no clue this is where St George’s residential school was! I never even really considered the location, though I’ve read an account from a survivor of that school and from St Joseph’s further north. It was so frustrating to read about the government claiming they were trying to improve the school only to read that was in the 1920’s and the accounts I’ve read were from the 1950s and 60s, when seemingly nothing had improved.

So many empty promises from the BC government are detailed in this book and some of them aren’t even that long ago!

I’ve been thinking of Lytton as the hottest city in BC but it is, and has been, so much more than that. I’m really glad I picked this up! This should for sure be a book read in high school English classes across BC.

[alexis berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truly more than I ever thought I would know about Lytton

[Faye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at my library on a whim, because the 2021 Lytton fire really broke my heart when it happened. This is mostly the story of what happened in the 2-ish centuries leading up to that day. I didn't realize it was such a richly historical place, so I found a lot of this book fascinating. My attention drifted at some parts, though. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood.

I understand that they're trying to rebuild Lytton in the most fire-resistant ways possible, but considering the hot, dry climate in the area and the fact that it's burned down more than once now, I have to admit, I wouldn't want to live there anymore. History is history, and that'll always be there. But you have to think about the lives you're risking by staying. Climate change is only going to get worse, fire or no fire. I don't know, I wasn't exactly cheering at the end when people were talking about rebuilding, but that's just me.

Certainly an interesting book, though, and a good closeup look at Canada's history.

[Andrew]

I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to visit Lytton twice before the 2021 fire. It’s difficult not to be captivated by the rugged mountains and the heterochromatic Fraser-Thompson conflux that weaves along the village edge. But beyond this, it quickly becomes clear that the region carries a history just as rich and vivid as its setting.

Peter Edwards and Kevin Loring share their stories with the necessary intimacy deserved. From what growing up was like in the village, to the deep scars left in the wake of Canada’s residential school system and the recent fire, the authors laced together a mosaic of laughter, serenity, and hardship that provided me much of the context I had been hoping to learn.

[Dustin Semenzin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew the little town of Lytton BC had such a rich history? An interesting and enjoyable read, aside from the darker parts of Lytton's past.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This place has always held a spot in my heart, the fire made it even more so. This was interesting and tragic and I am glad I know more about the place at the center of the world.

[Barbara Tomlinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

: I grew up hearing stories of the gold rush, the building of the railway and highway and frequently travelling through the Fraser Canyon and have always been intrigued. We typically stopped at Lytton to stretch our legs and eat before continuing on our road trip. 2021 saw so much devastation with floods and wildfires and Lytton was highlighted so often following the destruction of the town. Being an area that I was familiar with I followed the stories and the rebuilding efforts so was very interested in reading this book.
There is a lot of author bias, but they never claimed to be unbiased.
There is a lot of information about the various families in the Lytton area which was fascinating and caused me as the reader to connect with the town on a personal level. However, because it is not a novel and the timeline is not a straight line it was sometime hard to remember what was said about a certain person 3 or 4 chapters earlier which now impacts the depth of the current chapter.
I appreciated the honesty and reality of the horrors of the residential school and at first was frustrated that before the book reached those chapters the authors kept making side comments about the school or property. My initial reaction was to neatly pack that whole story into its own chapters and be done with it. However, I realized that my reaction and attitude reflected the treatment of the residential schools for generations. While all these other events were occurring in Lytton’s history, the children at the school were enduring horrific conditions. Once I had finished the book and sat with it for a while I realized that the authors were subtly reminding the reader that for decades there was a dual story of Lytton, one that did not fully come to light until recent history and the impact of which is still felt today.

[Deborah Birza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have grown up driving past Lytton on our way to the Cariboo. The “hot spot” of Canada, I couldn’t image the heat then, nor can I now. I’ve spent weekends camped nearby to go river rafting with Kumsheen rafting and almost walked into a rattlesnake while stopped for our mid day lunch. I read about this book in BC History Magazine (I’m not sure if I have the name right) to find it in our Library the same day.

I enjoyed learning more about Lytton, before it was Lytton and since. This book reminds me of sitting around the table with a group of people, hearing their stories of before, of then and of now.

This book brings the treatment of First Nations peoples by white settlers, religious groups and the government to the forefront while exploring the ways Indigenous groups are moving forward to reclaim their lands, languages and cultures. It speaks of the Chinese people who came to support their struggling families back home and of the racism and poor treatment they received once arriving, some finding a permanent home in Lytton.

I highly recommend this read and look forward to exploring more from authors Kevin Loring and Peter Edwards.

[Heather K Veitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lytton: Climate Change, Colonialism and Life Before the Fire is a fascinating read about Lytton, British Columbia, which was razed to the ground by wildfires in 2021. I went into the book expecting the story of the town before and after the fire — and I got that, but I also got a whole lot more.

As well as the history of Lytton, and a thought-provoking look at climate change and wildfires, this book also unflinchingly touches on the relationship between the First Nations peoples and both British and American settlers, the impact of the residential school system, and how all of that feeds into the Lytton that we know today. The history is interspersed with anecdotes and reflections from residents, which adds depth and emotional punch. This was a really interesting read which will stay with me for some time.

I received an e-ARC from the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography of the town of Lytton in British Columbia is fascinating. Both researched and anecdotal, the intersecting stories of personal histories, immigration, residential schools, multiculturalism and climate apocalypse, to name only a few, create a book both intriguing and informative. I took my time reading “Lytton”, much much more than usual, as though my pace echoed the passage of time of the book. The two authors, Edwards and Loring, produced a unique work of a place through time, which was, for me, an unusual and brilliant idea.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really mostly a collection of personal memories and historical anecdotes of people that have lived in, or been associated with, the town of Lytton. The lede is the terrible fire of 2021, of course, but the book isn't really a book with a thesis, or really "about" climate change or colonialism.

If you like histories of the settlement of North America, Westerns, or indigenous history, you will find something to enjoy here. It is probably of most interest to people with a family connection to this area.

[Clayton Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that there would be more on the climate change story and how the fires were a result of the extractive and consumptive nature of current society. But it was much grander, deeper and bigger than all that. I appreciated the history lesson, and it was interesting reading about how this town I had never heard of, had so much going on, in addition to being the poster child of Climate crisis.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about the small town of Lytton starting from before it was settled by Europeans to the fire that wiped out the whole town. There is much history here including the native Indians, to the gold rush, first white pioneer families, residential schools and so much more. It is an enjoyable read, especially to those of us who have paused in this town either on the way to somewhere else or taking in the local attractions.

[Michael Duquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mind loves a story, and the way Edwards and Loring were able to craft a narrative out of 200 years of a towns history is impressive. The story of Lytton BC is a Canadian one, a true microcosm of the entire country, from its beginning to the modern day, with all of its ringing successes and heart-wrenching failures.

Long live Lytton

[Colleen Cavanaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lytton a small town with an interesting history. A book that I highly recommend. We all need to help to stop global warming so towns and parts of the country with interesting history arent by fire.

[Kaila Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well rounded and great book about a place I’ve travelled thru many times on road trips. Highly recommend if you are interested in this areas history and present.

[Elizabeth MacLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and factual book. I really loved the stories that the authors wrote about their own experiences in their town in relation to chapter topics!

[Neil McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, fill of unknown facts..

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lytton BC isn't just the little town that burnt down. Lots of history there, horrific and interesting.

[Julie Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been to Lytton, but I loved the depth & rich history revealed, & as an American I appreciated learning some history of our sister nation.

[Steve Gabell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lytton became world famous in 2021 for destroying heat records in Canada, and in turn for being destroyed by fire. It was the final push to get me involved in green politics. I picked this book up expecting significant discussion on climate change and on the fire that immolated Lytton, but instead it tells the history of the town from the time that colonists first arrived. And what a history it is.

Sited at the confluence of the Fraser and Thompson Rivers, Lytton has seen human settlement since time immemorial. Although difficult to reach, it became a magnet to British and Americans in 1858 after the discovery of gold. Wise leadership from the First Nations prevented all-out war between the British and Americans and led to British Columbia joining the dominion of Canada rather than being taken over by Americans.

At one point the population of Lytton swelled to almost 20,000 and it vied to be the capital of BC. Those days are long gone with the population having dwindled to a few hundred people.

Lytton is also infamous for its residential school which had a long history of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse as it tried to enact the cultural genocide of indigenous people in Canada. The fight against the residential school system and the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was started by a survivor of that school.

Interspersed with anecdotes and memories of the authors, their friends, and families, this book tells the history of a small town in BC. I picked it up expecting a book on climate change, and I found so much more.

[Roberta Westwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical context

This book isn’t just about the recent fire that destroyed Lytton… in fact it forms a very small amount of the book. The town’s history is told, way back of the creation of Canada and British Columbia. Remarkably, this town has suffered terrible fires in the past and has already burned to the ground twice before. I now have no doubt they will rebuild. The origins of the town and its early settlers was interesting, along with the history of Chinese as well, of course, of First Nations peoples. Most enjoyable were the stories of the co-authors growing up as boys and then as young men in the small town. There was an Indian Residential School located in the area, so there is the worst sort of history told as well. A bit of a trauma warning: just skip past the two clearly named chapters if you need to. I visited Lytton growing up a couple of times, so can picture it nestled there in the Fraser Canyon, so I am heartened to know the people are strong and will rebuild. Both authors did a good job narrating.

I listened to the Audible audiobook.