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A Fine Daughter
Alberta Trade Book of the Year Set in Little Cypress, a small prairie town in the 1950s, A Fine Daughter is the story of Fran and her illegitimate daughter, Cora. Together, on a journey toward love and acceptance, they learn to confront the strict morality that's made them outsiders.
175 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 13, 2008
The plot of this novel is uncomplicated: A pregnant teenager goes to live in a prairie town, works in the general store and gives birth to a daughter. Fran refuses to give up her child, instead choosing to raise her in the judgmental town. She finds support from the owner of the general store and his ailing mother.
Like all small towns, Little Cypress has secrets and as these unfold, the characters in this book come to life. There’s plenty of nostalgia in this story for anyone who has grown up on the Canadian Prairies, but there’s also magic, drama, and wonderful writing.
The book moves along swiftly and smoothly, carrying the reader from one story to another. Each chapter portrays the perspective of a different character, intricately linking them so that by the end of the book, their lives create a delicate web.
My favourite quote from the book:
"All at once Cora stands. The butterflies explode from her long arms, her shoulders, cascade from her hair. Cora atop a large stone with the brilliance of a thousand butterflies lifting in waves around her body. A field of living energy.
Cora, with butterlies slipping around her, begins to move. He watches her uninhibited dance, Cora dancing for him like a river. Flury, watching her pure unrestrained movement, believes that until now, he has been asleep. The doctor’s son steps toward Fran’s girl, arms extended. Here, thinks Flury, is where I begin." (page 157)
Like all small towns, Little Cypress has secrets and as these unfold, the characters in this book come to life. There’s plenty of nostalgia in this story for anyone who has grown up on the Canadian Prairies, but there’s also magic, drama, and wonderful writing.
The book moves along swiftly and smoothly, carrying the reader from one story to another. Each chapter portrays the perspective of a different character, intricately linking them so that by the end of the book, their lives create a delicate web.
My favourite quote from the book:
"All at once Cora stands. The butterflies explode from her long arms, her shoulders, cascade from her hair. Cora atop a large stone with the brilliance of a thousand butterflies lifting in waves around her body. A field of living energy.
Cora, with butterlies slipping around her, begins to move. He watches her uninhibited dance, Cora dancing for him like a river. Flury, watching her pure unrestrained movement, believes that until now, he has been asleep. The doctor’s son steps toward Fran’s girl, arms extended. Here, thinks Flury, is where I begin." (page 157)
October 15, 2016
Whenever I read something that starts out beautifully, I'm instantly skeptical of whether or not it'll stay that way. Of course, that was the case for this novel. I'm pleased to say that this novel stayed consistent in the narration from beginning to end.
I was entranced by Niven's voice and I can say the same for her characters. I'm not sure if they're too quirky to be real or if I'm just not attuned to human nature enough, but they were all characters I felt attached to. That gets thrown around a lot but I genuinely felt something. I could feel their essence. Wonderful.
I was entranced by Niven's voice and I can say the same for her characters. I'm not sure if they're too quirky to be real or if I'm just not attuned to human nature enough, but they were all characters I felt attached to. That gets thrown around a lot but I genuinely felt something. I could feel their essence. Wonderful.
July 22, 2015
After a bit of a slow start, I really got into this book and liked it so much. The characters were interesting and complicated, and mostly likable, with the serious exception of The Good Doctor, a man so hypocritical and dislikable as to bring me to wish him every plague. Oh well, can't like everyone.
January 21, 2022
An unusual book. Feel kind of sad that I found it in a thrift store with a very pretty postcard/invitation tucked inside to celebrate the publication of A Fine Daughter, May 7, 1999...the first and only book written by Catherine Simmons Niven.
July 9, 2021
An Alberta book. Full of symbolism. Quirky mother/daughter in small town Alberta and setting yourself free of constraints of what’s expected. “Cocoon lives versus butterfly dreams.”
March 17, 2023
Kind of cool that is takes place in places familiar and close to me.
Not riveting though.
Not riveting though.
March 28, 2016
An easy read that is beautifully written... What an impressive first novel for Catherine Simmons Niven! The story of Fran and her illegitimate daughter Cora...their life in a small prairie town in the 1950s and about the magical journey that life can be when one dares to open their mind and heart to the joys of being true to oneself... The writing reminded me of Alice Hoffman's...really enjoyed it!
March 19, 2016
Really loved this book! Creates wonderful pictures in your head and speaks of the love of nature, and being yourself
May 21, 2016
Lovely language, interesting and quirky characters, with the exception of the good doctor, who I thoroughly despised. An easy read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews