Time Enough

by Lise Mayne, Jeremy Mayne (illustrator)

A determined mother. A loyal son. An unforgettable journey.

Spanning continents and generations, Time Enough follows a courageous woman and her eldest son as they leave the Isle of Man behind, chasing a future across the Atlantic. From bustling Michigan to the rugged beauty of Manitoulin Island and the vast plains of Saskatchewan, they battle loss, betrayal, and the hard truths of survival in an unforgiving new world.
As their past clings tight and the future demands sacrifice, one question What does it take to finally feel at home?

Lise Mayne delivers a sweeping, emotionally charged novel for fans of The Nightingale, The Book of Negroes, and The Giver of Stars - a story of grit, heart, and the enduring power of family.

495 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2025

About the author

Lise Mayne (aka LG Pomerleau) is a retired educator who writes historical fiction and poetry from her home in Nanton, Alberta. An associate of the League of Canadian Poets and the Canadian Authors’ Association, her poetry is published in ten international literary publications, honoured by five awards. Her fascination with Canadian history inspired two novels, Becoming Sand (2012) and Time Enough (2024, pending). Recent poetry publications include Heartland Literary Magazine and Haymaker Literary Magazine, 2024. Social injustice, resilience and courage are themes of her work. Mentors include Richard Van Camp and Gail Anderson-Dargatz
Socials: Instagram and Threads @maynelise_author https://www.instagram.com/maynelise_a... or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lise-mayn...

Reviews

[Glennie McKirdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lise Mayne joins the ranks of Jennifer Robson and Kate Quinn with this epic account of migration to Canada.
The Women’s story gets told. The hardship and poverty and determination to go forward are heart wrenching.
Bravo!! Gripping read.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Time Enough" is the kind of novel that lingers with you long after you turn the last page. Lise Mayne weaves a beautifully layered, feminist story about migration, identity, loss, and the grace of forgiveness.

What struck me most was how the book explores the emotional and physical labour of women, especially in moments of upheaval. Euphemia’s ability to navigate the burdens of expectation, sacrifice and displacement spoke to something deeply personal for me. It made me reflect on my own ancestors (especially the women) who made difficult journeys to Canada, hoping for a better life for their descendants. This book is a renewed calling to ensure I am living in a way that honours their struggle and intention.

I was captivated by the details and completely immersed in the story. I dedicated hours each night to reading it - I simply could not put it down. I very much recommend this novel, and look forward to Mayne's future books.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story touched my heart with the strength and perseverance of the women and families uprooted from everything and everyone time and time again. They survive hardships I can not even imagine, yet go on to create families and lives of their own. Euphemia, Henry, and Nan will live on in memory for a long while.
I do believe many of us might find similar ancestry if our stories were to be revealed with such accurate history and locations as portrayed in this novel.

[Jessica Herman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read chapter 13 and it is absolutely heartbreaking. Lise has done such an excellent job of capturing the pain and complexity of families emigrating during this period, well done!🙌

[Connie Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lise. Thank you so much for writing this book. I enjoyed it immensely it’s hard to believe how much you explained about their lives and their journey. I love the poetry and the Manx quotes and the faeries good and bad. Now I really do believe in faeries.
I’ve had the chance to atend a book signing and Lise was so wonderful to explain her journey in writing her book. I loved Time Enough and will pass it on to my friends and family.
Connie Pike

[Betty Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow and distracted reader that I am, I just finished Time Enough. What a treasure! The well researched times and places, the complex life stories of the fictional characters along with the things that can and do happen in life are all woven into the story. Best of all was how the folkloric faeries were intertwined throughout the book, from beginning to end.

It’s a compelling read and fascinating tale. It makes me want to go to The Isle of Man and to Manitoulin Island, and to imagine the immigrants who crossed the mighty Atlantic, in first class and in steerage, all jostling for a better life. I traveled with the Carine family from Liverpool to Boston, through the States and across Canada. It brought the mighty Great Lakes to life and took me to Owen Sound, not far from my hometown. Reading it, I imagined my parents, in their journey crossing the Atlantic to begin their new life in Canada, and my husband’s family, who found a safe haven in Saskatchewan after their long arduous immigrant story.

Time Enough is a beautiful tale of immigrants enriching our country with their hopes, dreams, hard work, traditions and beliefs - even in Faeries.

[Becky Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a fantastic book! Lise knows how to transport the reader to different times and places with her descriptive and beautiful writing. She also knows how to create believable characters (and some awesomely strong females). This book was a joy to read and I couldn't put it down. It opened my eyes to the trials and tribulations of not only the mining life in an impoverished town, but leaving one's family to immigrate across the ocean. A great story that would make a great movie!

[Mary Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

He saw again the Douglas Head Lighthouse off Man disappearing in the distance, as he whispered goodbye to Grandad, Nan, and Blackie. Now, as he overheard the steward say that the lighthouse signalled proximity to Queenstown, he tried to murmur a final farewell to Ellan Vannin, their island home.

Euphemia and her family had little choice in their situation. Her husband, William, was dying, there was no doubt about it. If they continued to rely on his meagre earnings from the mine, he would not survive much longer. Lead from the mines was already coursing through his body, slowly draining the life from him.

It was Nan who wrote the letter to William’s brother, Thomas, who had long since left them for better opportunities in America. Thomas’s reply brought the funds needed for Euphemia, William, and their six children to make the journey to join him in Michigan.

They have no choice. If they want to keep William alive as long as possible and keep their children out of the mines, travelling to join Thomas seems like the only sensible option. However, Euphemia has a complicated relationship with Thomas, and William never truly got along with his brother. They board the ship knowing they are placing their futures in the hands of a man who has an unpredictable nature. But it was a risk they had to take.

“Time Enough” by Lise Mayne tells the compelling story of the Carine family, whose journey of emigration forces them to leave behind their cherished traditions and sense of identity. This powerful family saga will captivate you, drawing you into its depths and leaving you eager to turn the pages. You won’t be able to put this book down!

The journey may be difficult, but the lifestyle change is drastic. Euphemia had given birth to and raised all six of her children with the help of Nan. The children had never known life outside the little cottage they shared with their grandparents on the Isle of Man. Their eldest son, Henry, was especially fond of Nan and shared her belief in faeries. He would join her on daily treks to Faery Hill, bringing a drop of whiskey to offer to the Little Ones. Deep-rooted Manx traditions were incredibly important to Henry, and travelling to America meant leaving his grandparents behind as well as distancing himself from the faeries he cared for so dearly. The heartache the family feels as their connections to tradition are severed so abruptly is almost tangible through the text. Their heritage seems to slip away as the boat carries them from their homeland. Unlike Ann, who clings to her beloved doll, Jenny, the family’s sense of home becomes elusive. The feeling of loss as they leave everything they have ever known behind is raw and painful. Readers cannot help but share in their grief as they turn away from their home and step into the unknown.

Henry is desperate to be treated as the man he feels inside, but his family comes first, and he will happily take care of little Hugh or try to keep his brothers in line if it means giving his mother a moment of relief from the anxieties of taking six children on the long and draining journey from the Isle of Man to Michigan. His spirit is strong, and he is not afraid to stand up for himself, but when he can, he takes the path of least resistance if it means making things easier for his parents. Henry is wise beyond his years and truly drives this novel forward as he attempts to keep his heritage alive in the New World. His hopes and dreams ebb and flow with the opportunities he encounters, but he is quick to anger and slow to forgive. As his resolve is tested more and more, it becomes increasingly difficult for him to continue sacrificing his time and effort for those around him, and he begins to turn his attention toward his own future. Although Henry shares the narrative with Euphemia, he remains the focal point of this novel, capturing the stark contrast between his homeland and Michigan while providing a rich journey as he grows into the man he has always believed himself to be.

Thomas is instantly unlikeable from the first moments of meeting him. He shows scant concern for the children, maintains a distance from his ailing brother, and seems more interested in impressing Euphemia than anything else. His blatant disregard for the thoughts, feelings, and desires of those around him paints him in a very negative light as he introduces the children to their new home. The difference between him and Henry, in particular, is highlighted by just how easy it is for the reader to fall in love with Henry, who serves to represent the meaning of family and tradition in his kind and caring nature. Within minutes of meeting him, Thomas gives all the children nicknames to fit with a more American lifestyle, caring little of whether the children liked the names or not, effectively snubbing their Manx cultures and immediately separating them from the family members they were named after.

Thomas holds himself in high regard and has little patience for anyone who disagrees with him or tries to argue. He seems unable to empathise with others, which makes him appear self-centred and, at times, threatening. Meanwhile, as William struggles with his health, Euphemia and the children must attempt to establish a new routine that fits their new lifestyle. Given her difficult past with Thomas, Euphemia tries to distance herself from him, but he clings to her like a mosquito, constantly seeking her attention and trying to impress her. Although Euphemia has made some questionable decisions in the past, she has grown into her role in life and found her purpose. Her children are her top priority, and she would do anything to protect them. However, when faced with Thomas, her resolve often wavers; as a result, Henry and some of the younger children must deal with Thomas on their own, for fear of upsetting the delicate balance that keeps a roof over their heads while their father is unwell. The way the family dynamics are portrayed, with Thomas as the ever-intimidating benefactor, creates a sense of tension for the reader. Thomas is wildly unpredictable, and with such a loving family, filled with characters you can’t help but adore, being forced into his house brings an ever-looming sense that something will inevitably snap, whether it happens sooner or later.

This remarkable novel captivates with exquisite lyrical prose from the very first sentence, penetrating deep into your heart and making it nearly impossible to set aside. As you immerse yourself in the story, you walk alongside the characters, experiencing their joys and sorrows as if they were cherished companions. The characters inhabit the pages like the ethereal faeries gliding through the lush grasses of Faery Hill, whispering enchanting secrets in a language that resonates only with those willing to listen. This is not just a book to read; it is an experience to savour, as the beautifully crafted words draw you into their captivating realm. The way this novel captures your heart and imagination is extraordinary, leaving an indelible mark long after the final page is turned.

Through darkness and light, “Time Enough” by Lise Mayne takes you on a journey of despair and hope as the characters take you by the hand and introduce you to the world they are living in. For fans of family sagas, look no further, for this novel is lacking in nothing.

Review by Ellie Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club

[Terry Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captivated by this book from the moment I started reading. A true family saga from acceptance to betrayal, the story of immigration and starting over. Lise weaves an entirely believable history of hardship laced with hope of new beginnings. The women in this story have to find the strength to live on the land and take care of their families in less than ideal conditions. The story follows the children as they grow into adulthood and pursue their own lives and dreams. My only wish was that it didn't end and I would love to see the next chapter of this story.

[Nora Macnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story of historical significance, of a family's emigration to Canada from the Isle of Man. Brilliantly written. I loved it as well as her previous novel "Becoming Sand". Such great stories!

[Donna Glawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lise, thank you so much for writing this book, I enjoyed reading every page. There is so much information packed into the pages, it is a must read.

[Laurel Deedrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time Enough by Lise Mayne is a family saga that spans 3 generations, 3 decades and 3 countries. We are taken on an arduous and perilous journey through dual narration of Euphemia and her eldest son, Henry. Changing circumstances force Euphemia to leave Isle of Man with her ailing husband (from years of working in the mines) and 6 children she's determined to spare from a similar fate. The family's future survival depends on the move even if it means having to leave the comfort and wisdom of her husband's parents as well as having to confront her own past. Euphemia's unwitting and unfortunate reliance on her eldest son, Henry, smoulders beneath the surface of the novel and as he grows from boy to manhood, long held secrets rise to the surface, raising the stakes even higher and sparking more change.

Here is where Mayne's skill as a storyteller shines: She allows each character's strengths and weaknesses to evolve over time and her vivid descriptions of every sound, sight, and smell allows readers to be immersed in every step of their journey. From Isle of Man across the sea to Boston, then Michigan, Manitoulin Island to Saskatchewan -- Even in the most dire situations she never loses sight of the overarching themes of risk taking, regret, resilience and the universal hope of finding one's sense of home.

Sometimes, in historical fiction, evidence of the author's painstaking research gets in the way of the story. But not here. In Time Enough, Lise Mayne has integrated all those details into the lived and nuanced experience of her characters. It's writerly wizardry at its finest. Ancient Fairy Lore and Manx language permeates the nearly 500 pages and while this might sound daunting for many readers, rest assured; you are in good hands.

[Glenys Boucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend reading the epic family saga "Time Enough" by Lise Mayne. The novel had me captivated from Chapter 1 and did not disappoint throughout the entire book. My only desire at the end of the book was to learn that another book was being written to continue the saga.

Anyone who knows me knows that although an avid reader I am also a very slow reader. To have finished this book in three days is evidence of what a great novel I had just finish. Nothing else got done in these three days.

Although not a true immigrant myself I did move from a French speaking extended family Acadian fishing village environment west to an English speaking nuclear family urban environment in Calgary with my family in the 1960s, due to lack of enough work to sustain a family. Thus I experienced many of the traumas immigrants face: the pressure on family , watching my parents worry about being able to find a new livelihood that would support a family, how every member of the family had to help by working (even the children doing babysitting, cutting lawns, delivering newspapers/flyers until they were old enough to get the SIN number which enabled them to get an actual job). I experienced the feeling of loss, and of being an outsider, having to learn a whole new set of norms in a new world. The feeling of not belonging here and no longer belonging there. Lise Mayne captured these emotions and realities with amazing accuracy. Her writing created such crystal clear visual images that I became part of the story which I believe to be evidence of an exceptional author. I hope that a producer reads this novel because I can see it as a movie. I definitely recommend "Time Enough" by Lise Mayne.

[Tom W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Time Enough, Lise Mayne of Nanton, Alberta, presents a deeply researched, emotionally vivid saga inspired by her own family’s Manx roots. Beginning in 1904 on the Isle of Man, readers follow the Carine family as economic hardship compels them to leave the homeland of tail-less cats and long-held traditions. They emigrate first to Michigan, then on to Canada, carrying little more than their resilience and faith.

Mayne’s own visit to the Isle informs the narrative with authentic cultural detail and geographical awareness. Her prose is confident and accessible, and her dialogue rings true to place and time. We come to feel every loss and triumph as the Carines adapt, navigate strained family dynamics, and confront the unfamiliar rhythms of homestead life. The novel explores how cultural identity, personal character, and the strength of family ties help newcomers endure profound change.

Though fictionalised, many events and characters are grounded in real family history. Mayne’s attention to emotional nuance and her commitment to historical fidelity make this a rewarding read. Her effort to write and design the novel reflects the very perseverance she so effectively depicts in her characters.

[Joan Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex, captivating characters. Superb prose. This novel is an adventure-packed epic journey of a family emigrating in the early 1900s from Isle of Man, outside of Ireland, to Michigan, then on to Manitoulin Island near Ontario, and further west to Saskatchewan by the 1930s. Told mostly through the narrative of a young woman, Euphemia, and later her estranged son, Henry, their voices mirror the immigrant’s edgy mix of trepidation and yearning for a brighter future. Lise Mayne’s deep research springs to life vivid details of daily living, hardships of working farmland, grueling work shoveling coal as a stoker on Great Lakes steamships and more. Along the way, she delicately traces the gradual loss of origin traditions (like belief in the protective faeries of Ireland), swallowed up by a new country and life. I loved Mayne’s addition of poetry and lyrics from the period to the start of each chapter for they gave the story a lyrical underpinning of longing and beauty. In this book, Mayne masterfully weaves together a tale of resilience, duty, strength and hope that’s a masterpiece tribute to all people searching for a better life.

[Lise Mayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I read the whole book again, getting ready for the audio book, coming soon. I'm working with the actress and am astounded that she is able to perform all the accents, the Manx language (with help from Culture Vannin) and has captured the characters individuality so beautifully. I have to say, after working on this book for twelve years, I still love it. The ending still makes me cry. The story of how my grandfather honoured the First Nations' people, when they abandoned the homestead, is true.
I am humbled that so many people have also given Time Enough five stars. I'm voting for its continued success, as I know it's an important book, about resilience, hope, love and the search for home. We are all immigrants, except the First Nations people. My grandparents were homesteaders, and they knew that. They were friends with Ukranians, Polish people, Italians, Chinese people...everyone who came into Saskatchewan from elsewhere, like they did. They learned from and shared with them. And fortunately, they told their stories to me.

[Virginia Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the opening page I could not put it down. Following the family through their immigration and settlement was a delight. Very sorry when I came to the end of book. A must read!

[Darlene Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and I highly recommend it! The story line is rich on many levels: history, folklore, family relationships...and more. An excellent read!

[J. Else]

Review to be posted via the Historical Novel Society.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Time Enough" by Lise Mayne is a captivating exploration of the complexities of time and human relationships. The novel weaves a rich tapestry of emotions, blending elements of science fiction with deeply personal narratives. Mayne’s writing is both lyrical and thought-provoking, inviting readers to reflect on the choices we make and the paths we take. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each grappling with their own struggles and aspirations. With its intriguing premise and heartfelt storytelling, "Time Enough" is a poignant reminder of the importance of seizing the moment and cherishing the connections we hold dear. Fans of reflective fiction will find this novel both engaging and enriching.