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The View From Coffin Ridge: A Childhood Exhumed
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 22, 2025
WOW I don’t even have words for what an incredibly powerful story. I couldn’t stop thinking about Gwen and her family when I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it. Including waking up in the night thinking about it. Thank you Gwen LaMont for sharing your story
October 29, 2024
Very captivating writing of such a challenging life. I don’t have a lot of words to express how I feel about this book, but I am so glad I read it, and highly recommend.
June 14, 2026
Unbelievable story. A must read.
August 10, 2024
This is a story of people with extremely limited resources doing what they could to survive. It’s a story of the effect one generation has upon the next. Ultimately it is a story of survival. The story is well written and well organized with occasional flashbacks that fit naturally into the narrative. It is honest and compelling, a book the author can be proud of.
July 26, 2026
For several years in my twenties, I worked with what were then called “emotionally disturbed” children. I worked in group homes with young children and teens, did one-to-one contracts, and eventually worked in a receiving home for street kids.
I dealt with kids whose behaviours were off the charts, like the girl who told me she was going to slice my guts open and leave me bleeding beside my five-month fetus on the street. I heard stories that made my neck hair stand on end, like the girl whose father pimped out her older half-sister to support himself and the two younger children.
But mostly I worked with kids who were struggling to deal with the realities of life with parents who, often because of their own childhood experiences, weren’t anywhere close to knowing what good parenting looked like.
In The View from Coffin Ridge: A Childhood Exhumed (The Ginger Press, 2024), author Gwen Lamont describes the latter kind of abuse, the gnawing daily neglect that characterized her childhood.
There was the poverty because Dad always thought the next big scam would solve their financial problems; the money that disappeared in a fog of gambling and alcohol and second-hand smoke; the frequent moves that kept the children from establishing friendships with other children or relationships with adults who might have helped.
There was the non-stop bickering between a mother and father who’d long since stopped liking each other but couldn’t imagine anything different; the children’s teeth, rotting from a total lack of dental hygiene; and a decision her father made to get her teeth fixed when she was in grade 9, which ultimately led to her not finishing grade 9 or any more of high school.
As traumatizing as all of this must have been, Lamont says, she never really thought of it as child abuse and still feels taken aback by references to her “trauma.” This was just her family, her life; she didn’t know anything else.
Here’s an excerpt of what Lamont’s family life was like:
"I had seen teacups, spatulas, and a can or two fly through the air but this day it was a kitchen chair I watched hit the wall with such a force it left a hole. As if the chair throwing hadn’t made her point, Mom followed it with one of her tirades.
“'I’m not moving again, John Godfrey Morrison. I don’t give a shit what you do. I’m not going. You’ll have to go without me and the girls.' He wouldn’t go without us, would he? 'I’m sick to death of your schemes that never amount to a hill of beans. I’m not going and that’s final.'
"Dad sat silent, grinding his jaw with such violence I could hear it clear across the room. Red blotches crept up his face. The whistling started soft and slow, then grew faster and louder.
“'I don’t care if you never speak to me again and you can whistle forever, you goddamn son-of-a-bitch. I AM NOT MOVING! Just when I find a job I love, and just when the girls are settled, you want to move to the goddamn middle of nowhere? And your mother, Jack, what about her money?'
"Dad whistled.
“'And just remember it was you who had to have this house, Jack Morrison. You! Not me! You talked me into this house and now you have the nerve to want to move us again.' She crossed her arms across her heart. 'You jerk. What the hell are you running from this time?'
"Dad whistled louder. My stomach knotted."
It’s hard to pick just one passage to quote because the tension in the book rises relentlessly. There’s never a break. And that, it would seem, is what Lamont’s childhood was like. A relentless struggle, no winners, no losers, no end in sight.
It did finally end. For years, she buried her past beyond memory while she went on to earn a BA, BSW, and MSW, work as a social worker in child protection and intimate partner violence. It was really only in writing this book and eventually earning a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Nonfiction Writing at University of King’s College that Lamont began to face the impacts her childhood had on her.
The contents of The View from Coffin Ridge make it a difficult read, but the story is told with such skill that it was hard to put down. I find I’m writing those words about many of the books I’m reviewing that came out of the Master of Fine Arts program in Creative Nonfiction Writing at University of King's College in Halifax, Canada. But that doesn’t make it less true. These stories embody what it means to be human and are of singularly high quality. And I’m reminded how grateful I am to have been part of this program.
To read more books written by Canadian creative nonfiction authors, please visit https://lynnemelcombe.com.
I dealt with kids whose behaviours were off the charts, like the girl who told me she was going to slice my guts open and leave me bleeding beside my five-month fetus on the street. I heard stories that made my neck hair stand on end, like the girl whose father pimped out her older half-sister to support himself and the two younger children.
But mostly I worked with kids who were struggling to deal with the realities of life with parents who, often because of their own childhood experiences, weren’t anywhere close to knowing what good parenting looked like.
In The View from Coffin Ridge: A Childhood Exhumed (The Ginger Press, 2024), author Gwen Lamont describes the latter kind of abuse, the gnawing daily neglect that characterized her childhood.
There was the poverty because Dad always thought the next big scam would solve their financial problems; the money that disappeared in a fog of gambling and alcohol and second-hand smoke; the frequent moves that kept the children from establishing friendships with other children or relationships with adults who might have helped.
There was the non-stop bickering between a mother and father who’d long since stopped liking each other but couldn’t imagine anything different; the children’s teeth, rotting from a total lack of dental hygiene; and a decision her father made to get her teeth fixed when she was in grade 9, which ultimately led to her not finishing grade 9 or any more of high school.
As traumatizing as all of this must have been, Lamont says, she never really thought of it as child abuse and still feels taken aback by references to her “trauma.” This was just her family, her life; she didn’t know anything else.
Here’s an excerpt of what Lamont’s family life was like:
"I had seen teacups, spatulas, and a can or two fly through the air but this day it was a kitchen chair I watched hit the wall with such a force it left a hole. As if the chair throwing hadn’t made her point, Mom followed it with one of her tirades.
“'I’m not moving again, John Godfrey Morrison. I don’t give a shit what you do. I’m not going. You’ll have to go without me and the girls.' He wouldn’t go without us, would he? 'I’m sick to death of your schemes that never amount to a hill of beans. I’m not going and that’s final.'
"Dad sat silent, grinding his jaw with such violence I could hear it clear across the room. Red blotches crept up his face. The whistling started soft and slow, then grew faster and louder.
“'I don’t care if you never speak to me again and you can whistle forever, you goddamn son-of-a-bitch. I AM NOT MOVING! Just when I find a job I love, and just when the girls are settled, you want to move to the goddamn middle of nowhere? And your mother, Jack, what about her money?'
"Dad whistled.
“'And just remember it was you who had to have this house, Jack Morrison. You! Not me! You talked me into this house and now you have the nerve to want to move us again.' She crossed her arms across her heart. 'You jerk. What the hell are you running from this time?'
"Dad whistled louder. My stomach knotted."
It’s hard to pick just one passage to quote because the tension in the book rises relentlessly. There’s never a break. And that, it would seem, is what Lamont’s childhood was like. A relentless struggle, no winners, no losers, no end in sight.
It did finally end. For years, she buried her past beyond memory while she went on to earn a BA, BSW, and MSW, work as a social worker in child protection and intimate partner violence. It was really only in writing this book and eventually earning a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Nonfiction Writing at University of King’s College that Lamont began to face the impacts her childhood had on her.
The contents of The View from Coffin Ridge make it a difficult read, but the story is told with such skill that it was hard to put down. I find I’m writing those words about many of the books I’m reviewing that came out of the Master of Fine Arts program in Creative Nonfiction Writing at University of King's College in Halifax, Canada. But that doesn’t make it less true. These stories embody what it means to be human and are of singularly high quality. And I’m reminded how grateful I am to have been part of this program.
To read more books written by Canadian creative nonfiction authors, please visit https://lynnemelcombe.com.
October 2, 2024
I was given this book, along with many people, after being in the audience at a book launch for the author. It took me a while to pick it up and start reading and I had to put it aside to digest what I had read before carrying on.
Although I had volunteered at a Women’s shelter, had three sisters who were in abusive relationships, have been on courses and read books about abuse, this book brought it to life.
There are dark moments in the book, times when I cried for that young girl, her family; times when I railed at the systems that fail abused women; then I remembered that courageous, confident woman who presented her life to an audience of people she didn’t know. The courage it takes to look at that life and see how it shaped the current version of you can not be exaggerated.
While there are horrific scenes in the book, there are crumbs of hope to follow to the woman the author has become.
Such a well written book that gives hope to those who know people in this situation. One never knows the impact a few words might have on the future of others.
Although I had volunteered at a Women’s shelter, had three sisters who were in abusive relationships, have been on courses and read books about abuse, this book brought it to life.
There are dark moments in the book, times when I cried for that young girl, her family; times when I railed at the systems that fail abused women; then I remembered that courageous, confident woman who presented her life to an audience of people she didn’t know. The courage it takes to look at that life and see how it shaped the current version of you can not be exaggerated.
While there are horrific scenes in the book, there are crumbs of hope to follow to the woman the author has become.
Such a well written book that gives hope to those who know people in this situation. One never knows the impact a few words might have on the future of others.
July 26, 2026
When my sister (who lives in Owen Sound, ON) sent me a photo of the inside cover flap of this book, I KNEW that Gwen's story was a "must-read". Later, I realized, it's not the words, but the energy behind the words that has created a compelling story. After attending Gwen's book launches on Vancouver Island where I reside, it became clear that this story is not just about Gwen's life during her growing up years....her book has become a launching pad to bring awareness to our consciousness that there is an illness in our society which desperately needs healing. Gwen wants all aspects of society to wake up to the fact that family abuse does exist and requires awareness from all of us ~~~ the police, the politicians, the medical system, the school system, and the neighbours of families suffering from this abuse. Gwen, you have shared your story with integrity and authenticity, and thanks for exhuming your childhood to benefit society as a whole.
July 17, 2026
Gwen Lamont has written far more than a memoir. She manages to take you with her on a journey that covers abuse, love, horror, insight, wisdom and resilience. It broke my heart, it made me angry, sometimes made me laugh, and it brought a rush of memories of my own childhood (briefly adjacent to hers).
Beautifully written, it captures the innocence and honesty of a child and reveals the author’s generosity of spirit in her capacity for forgiveness and compassion.
I cannot recommend this book enough. I loved it.
Beautifully written, it captures the innocence and honesty of a child and reveals the author’s generosity of spirit in her capacity for forgiveness and compassion.
I cannot recommend this book enough. I loved it.
November 1, 2024
Couldn’t put this one down. Generational trauma, taking the opportunity even when it feels too late, the impact of one individual… so many messages and definitely a worthwhile read. Lost a star due to a bit of jumping around in the last third of the book, felt the timelines were confusing and the sequence of events weren’t as smooth. Small in comparison to the whole book. Would highly recommend.
July 13, 2026
Gwen Lamont's writing is sassy, brilliant and poignant. She manages to tell her harrowing story while keeping this reader comfortable enough to keep reading. She even relieves some of the tension with occasional laugh-out-loud humour. The undercurrent of what is really happening in her early story gets ridden with a resilience that I can't even understand. I guess thats how you can turn trauma into purpose. An inspiring read.
Shannon Moise,
Courtenay, BC
Shannon Moise,
Courtenay, BC
July 18, 2026
Gwen Lamont shares a searing account of a life riddled with abuse. Her determination to move forward is a testament to her courage and strength. This book is raw and real. The View From Coffin Ridge: A Childhood Exhumed
November 26, 2025
3.75-4* however the subject matter can be disturbing for some. For those who are aware of Coffin Ridge Winery here on Georgian Bay, this is Gwen Lamont's memoir. Very well written and heartbreaking, but not a "woe is me" story. Well done Gwen on becoming such a successful business woman as well as a writer.
February 6, 2025
Very captivating true story, reflecting on childhood trauma and how to over come it. Parents dealing and coping the only way they know how, follow along as the author takes you back in time painting pictures of how much things have changed in society.
August 18, 2025
This is an excellent read. A tragic but true story that's ultimately uplifting. And the author as a spunky, young girl, writes in a matter-of-fact voice with plenty of wry commentary sprinkled throughout. Loved it, found it hard to put down, and I'd highly recommend it.
October 11, 2025
very sad and disturbing. Since this is a memoir, I am very sorry this woman went through such dreadful experiences. I also am glad she has come out the other side and took the opportunities to investigate her past and come to terms with all she endured.
July 24, 2024
A very tragic and compelling story. I applaud your bravery for sharing.
September 17, 2024
What can I say but I applaud you Gwen for your strength and courage to share your story. You truly are an
Incredible women. So proud of you!
Incredible women. So proud of you!
October 4, 2024
Harrowing!!!!
June 4, 2025
Excellent read! A captivating story!
October 14, 2025
Wow! I discovered this book having visited Coffin Ridge Winery. Kudos to the author for overcoming so many perils of childhood and for sharing her story.
December 26, 2025
What an incredible story.
March 10, 2026
Excellent book!
July 14, 2026
This is phenomenal memoir takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster. It highlights the role of education and mentors in this case to save the life of young Gwen.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews