Tinker and Blue

by Frank MacDonald

Frank Macdonald's reputation for colourful characters, subtle satire and social conscience is omnipresent in the hilarious adventures of Cape Breton pals Tinker and Blue in late-'60s San Francisco. At age 19 and 20, respectively, Tinker Dempsey and his oldest friend Blue figured it was time they followed generations of Cape Bretoners and crossed the Canso Causeway, if for no other reason than to find a few stories they could call their own when their wandering ways brought them back home. It had been Blue's idea to drive their fourth-hand 1957 push-button Plymouth out to San Francisco to check out the famed Haight-Ashbury district. What they found was much more than they - and San Francisco - bargained for. Hitchhiking hippies, homespun humour, wit and wisdom, troubles in love and trouble with the law converge to make "Tinker and Blue" a funny and clever flashback that only Frank Macdonald could imagine. Frank Macdonald is the award-winning author of" A Forest for Calum" (CBU Press 2005) and "A Possible Madness" (CBU Press 2011), both long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and both finalists for an Atlantic Book Award."

400 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2014

Reviews

[Kathleen]

Tinker And Blue by Frank Macdonald was our Book Club Book of the Month for February. A year ago I read A Forest For Calum by this author, still remember much about the story, totally enjoyed it, and gave it 4.7 stars.
Frank MacDonald’s reputation for colourful characters, subtle satire and social conscience is omnipresent in the hilarious adventures of Cape Breton pals Tinker and Blue in late -‘60s San Francisco.
At age 19 and 20, respectively, Tinker Dempsey and his oldest friend Blue figured it was time they followed generations of Cape Bretoners and crossed the Canso Causeway, if for no other reason than to find a few stories they could call their own when their wandering ways brought them back home. It had been Blue’s idea to drive their fourth-hand 1957 push-button Plymouth out to San Francisco to check out the famed Haight-Ashbury district.
What they found was much more than they - and San Francisco - bargained for. Hitchhiking hippies, homespun humour, wit and wisdom, troubles in love and trouble with the law converge to make Tinker and Blue a funny and clever flashback.

[Stephen Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

A frolicking homage to Cape Breton as seen through the eyes of two young guys who leave the island to find the "hippies in San Francisco". Set in the 1960's, and with the adage that it is only when we leave home that we are better able to appreciate it, Tinker and Blue share their storytelling zeal as they travel in their Plymouth to Haight-Ashbury, form a band, find love and fight "the man". And, if that's not enough, we get to meet the "other feller", and watch how a hippie commune evades the FBI. The icing on the cake is how Tinker and Blue work towards taking down the big corporation,"Fucdepor". Another great novel by Frank MacDonald

[Ken Kingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great romp by Frank Macdonald, where two young men from Cape Breton leave the Island in the late 1960's in search of stories. Their road trip takes them to San Francisco where they encounter hippies from the Haight-Ashbury district. Cape Breton culture meets the California counter-culture; the possibilities are endless! Great exploration of the main characters in this book, a trademark of Frank Macdonald's tales.

[Gerard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it very much!

[Wendell Hennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank MacDonald captures the Cape Breton life so well, Tinker and Blue head to San Francisco to live life a bit and hopefully bring back some stories that they can tell and re tell for years. Wary at first of long haired 60's hippies, they gradually come to accept and understand and live in a commune. The story is bizarre involving the FBI and the writing of a 100 verse song "Red Lobster". One finds a fit working in the construction of underground and the other in the music world. Lots of belly laughs but it is a bit slow in starting and drags on, I was in a hurry for them to get back home to Cape Breton.

[Alec Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I hitched across USA in 1970, and this tale reverberated in the chambers of memory. Tinker is a great guy. Blue is--whew!--in a category all by himself, sometimes exasperating, sometimes hilarious, alway provocative. The other characters are wonderful, especially Barney!

[Marci · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning was funny and entertaining, especially for me, living on Cape Breton Island. The last few chapters were good as well. I found the large section in the middle a drag and hard to push through.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, set in Cape Breton.

[Sarah N · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Frank MacDonald book that I've read (but certainly not the last), Tinker and Blue made me laugh in a way that few books have.

The story sees two Cape Breton teens set out on a life-changing road trip to San Francisco, hoping to meet hippies and acquire stories they can share when they return to hometown. Both of their goals are met in the tangled vacation where they encounter the free-spirit attitudes of people unlike any they've ever met, first love, and even the FBI. Throughout all of the book's twists and turns, the boys' friendship is heartwarming, and their shared experience will take you back to times spent with friends, travelling on backroads and not knowing where the day would take you.

This is an amazing story. If you're considering reading this book - please do. You'll thank yourself for it!

[Callum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any Cape Bretoner. Full of wit and sure to make a Caper homesick