White Eskimo: A Novel Of Labrador

by Harold Horwood

278 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Born in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1923, Harold Andrew Horwood wore many hats: union organizer from 1946-48; political organizer from 1946-52, Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly from 1949-52, journalist, editor of The St. John's Evening Telegram from 1952-58 and The Examiner from 1960-61, co-founder of the Writers' Union of Canada, for which he served three terms as Vice Chair and one, from 1980-81, as Chair, Writer-in-Residence at the University of Western Ontario and at the University of Waterloo, founder of The New Quarterly and, of course, writer.

Published in China, Japan, and various European countries, as well as Canada, Great Britain and the United States, Harold wrote more than twenty books of fiction, history and travel writing. He died in Annapolis Royal in April 2006.

Reviews

[John Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read both books with this title, the latest by Stephen Bown was about Knud Rasmussen--the Danish-Inuit Arctic explorer. This book is from the 1970s and is a fictional retelling of Esau Gillingham's time in Labrador. He was raised in Newfoundland, but came up to trap and hunt in Labrador. Gillingham was a legendary hunter, fisherman and explorer, who was often at odds with the Church and government leadership in Labrador. His story brings out the dynamics between all these groups, the cultural battles, and the landscape of this remote place. While white, he was considered an adopted "Eskimo". It was a very interesting story, somewhat dated in language used, but otherwise very worth reading to understand that place and time and the life of this man.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I have ever read that shows the way of life of the Inuit, Although a novel, the book intimately looks at their customs and strength. The language is from 1972 and would be unacceptable if written now, but shows the perspective of the Inuit to the colonization and particularly interesting is the perspective about Wilfred Grenfell. I highly recommend it. It should be updated in language (terminology for First Nations) only; is there someone willing to do this and re-publish this magnificient work?

[Sonja Seeber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of the Coast,, Bays, landscapes and people inhabiting a harsh wilderness. A white man showing up to upset the missionaries' Status Quo. About trapping, hunting, fishing and surviving among Eskimos and Indians. After 1st world war and after 2nd world war.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in highschool, I really enjoyed the story of a legendary character called the White Eskimo. It might be time for a re-read. Canadiana.