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Luna
Now in the attractive and popular new Perennial Canada format, Luna is bestselling author Sharon Butala’s second brilliant novel in her looselylinked trilogy that begins with The Gates of the Sun, and ends with TheFourth Archangel . Selling out its first printing within months when it wasfirst re-issued in 1994, this is a classic Sharon Butala novel. Luna is the story of three prairie women at the crossroads of theirlives. Rhea, still strong and proud at 80, contemplates her death, and herpioneer life, the years of loneliness she endured, tears seeping from her bodywhile she kneaded her loaves of bread. Selena, Rhea’s niece, struggling tocome to terms with her teenaged daughter’s pregnancy, wonders if her way oflife is changing forever. And Diane, Selena’s sister, until now a womancloaked in the busy fabric of farming life suppers, chores and gardening, leavesfor the city on a search for freedom, for identity and for self. Each of them isinexorably a part of the vast prairie landscape, its seemingly spare geographyin reality as rich and varied as the inner lives of its inhabitants. Luna resonates with our constant, passionate and often mysticalstruggle to love the land, conquer it, abandon it, and most of all, rediscoverourselves within it.
294 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
3 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Butala
65 books59 followersSharon Butala (born Sharon Annette LeBlanc, August 24, 1940 in Nipawin, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian writer and novelist.
Her first book, Country of the Heart, was published in 1984 and won the Books in Canada First Novel Award.
As head of the Eastend Arts Council she spearheaded the creation of the Wallace Stegner House Residence for Artists in which Wallace Stegner's childhood home was turned into a retreat for writers and artists.[14]
She lived in Eastend until Peter's death in 2007. She now lives in Calgary, Alberta.
She was shortlisted for the Governor General's award twice, once for fiction for Queen of the Headaches, and once for nonfiction for The Perfection of the Morning.
The Fall 2012 issue of Prairie Fire, entitled The Visionary Art of Sharon Butala was dedicated to Butala and her work and influence.
(from Wikipedia)
Her first book, Country of the Heart, was published in 1984 and won the Books in Canada First Novel Award.
As head of the Eastend Arts Council she spearheaded the creation of the Wallace Stegner House Residence for Artists in which Wallace Stegner's childhood home was turned into a retreat for writers and artists.[14]
She lived in Eastend until Peter's death in 2007. She now lives in Calgary, Alberta.
She was shortlisted for the Governor General's award twice, once for fiction for Queen of the Headaches, and once for nonfiction for The Perfection of the Morning.
The Fall 2012 issue of Prairie Fire, entitled The Visionary Art of Sharon Butala was dedicated to Butala and her work and influence.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 2, 2020
Luna is the story of three prairie women at the crossroads of their lives. Rhea, still strong and proud at 80, contemplates her death, and her pioneer life, the years of loneliness she endured, tears seeping from her body while she kneaded her loaves of bread. Selena, Rhea’s niece, struggling to come to terms with her teenaged daughter’s pregnancy, wonders if her way of life is changing forever. And Diane, Selena’s sister, until now a woman cloaked in the busy fabric of farming life suppers, chores and gardening, leaves for the city on a search for freedom, for identity and for self. Each of them is inexorably a part of the vast prairie landscape, its seemingly spare geography in reality as rich and varied as the inner lives of its inhabitants.
October 3, 2018
This is an atmospheric novel set in rural Saskatchewan. Selena, the protagonist, has never envisioned life anywhere but on her ranch; Rhea, her pioneer aunt, brings a crone's wisdom; and Diane, her sister, is also a wife and mother but dreams of a different life in "the city"--Saskatoon.
It took me a little while to get accustomed to the different points of view, as the author shifts between characters within the same scene by alternating past and present tense. The pace is also slowed down by some explanations of characters' actions that seem unnecessary. Once you get used to Butala's literary quirks, the story is compelling. It is clear from the characters' names that they symbolize women's different approaches to life, in an almost mythological way.
About halfway through the novel there is a major plot development involving Selena's daughter, Phoebe. I thought it was clearly signaled to the reader, so it seemed unbelievable that it took Selena by surprise. The subsequent tensions and actions were well handled, however, and I read the rest of the book in one evening.
Luna is the first novel I have read set in this prairie province. Although it is about thirty years old, the assumptions and struggles of the female characters seem much older, which I suppose is the point. I found Diane's character particularly interesting, as the author manages to make her both sympathetic and selfish--the dilemma she herself is facing. I would have liked Diane to have a specific dream that compels her to explore city living. She mentions how men have always gone off and done their own thing due to a dream, but she never seems to be pursuing anything in particular, which makes her harder to understand.
Altogether this is a novel to lose yourself in and feel the cold of a blizzard, the warmth of a horse's breath, the beauty and cruelty of a way of life that has not changed much in generations.
It took me a little while to get accustomed to the different points of view, as the author shifts between characters within the same scene by alternating past and present tense. The pace is also slowed down by some explanations of characters' actions that seem unnecessary. Once you get used to Butala's literary quirks, the story is compelling. It is clear from the characters' names that they symbolize women's different approaches to life, in an almost mythological way.
About halfway through the novel there is a major plot development involving Selena's daughter, Phoebe. I thought it was clearly signaled to the reader, so it seemed unbelievable that it took Selena by surprise. The subsequent tensions and actions were well handled, however, and I read the rest of the book in one evening.
Luna is the first novel I have read set in this prairie province. Although it is about thirty years old, the assumptions and struggles of the female characters seem much older, which I suppose is the point. I found Diane's character particularly interesting, as the author manages to make her both sympathetic and selfish--the dilemma she herself is facing. I would have liked Diane to have a specific dream that compels her to explore city living. She mentions how men have always gone off and done their own thing due to a dream, but she never seems to be pursuing anything in particular, which makes her harder to understand.
Altogether this is a novel to lose yourself in and feel the cold of a blizzard, the warmth of a horse's breath, the beauty and cruelty of a way of life that has not changed much in generations.
December 8, 2018
I seem to start reading Sharon Butala's books in one reading. I pick it up and can't put the book down. She sees me, she knows me and I see her. Her books make me ache inside. I closed Luna and cried. Sharon seems to put into words my thoughts and feelings, she is my new favourite author!
October 27, 2015
Prairie Canada: wow! What an interesting read! Reflecting cultural and seasonal habits of folks dating back to pioneer days, this story is packed with poignant moments in the lives of one extended family in particular. The story starts off wide, then focuses in on an exploration of how traditional male/female role expectations play out in the modern context.Nature itself is the chief protagonist; its exquisitely beautiful yet sometimes harsh reality demands plenty of those who live in its thrall.
July 21, 2014
The Sharon Butala obsession continues. She's such a beautiful writer. This one deals with women living in a small prairie community, and their struggles. I'm playing with similar themes in my own work.
Excellent stuff.
Excellent stuff.
February 22, 2015
I guess I'm really getting into this whole reading Saskatchewan thing at present.
If you are interested in the lives of prairie women and the importance of social groups to their survival then give this book a read.
If you are interested in the lives of prairie women and the importance of social groups to their survival then give this book a read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews