Mouse

by Brian Reynolds

A somewhat hapless artist from Toronto finds himself adrift on a Cree reserve in northern Ontario in the middle of a breakup disaster in 1977, a few years after the close of the local residential school. In attempting to understand his new environement, he faces challenges not only to his family and his job, but to his identity.

ebook

First published April 19, 2015

About the author

Brian Reynolds taught in two James Bay aboriginal communities off and on during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. He spent a number of years as a landscape artist and a writer of short fiction. Mouse is the first long work he's shared widely. In many ways it's an experiment as is his current adventure with running, as were his careers in the classroom and putting coloured dots on fancy paper. He has a garden.

Reviews

[Rebecca Gransden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mouse begins by taking us along different timelines. The present is one set in a remote Canadian community where a phenomenon of ice break up is affecting the residents, putting them and their surroundings in peril. Here, the central character of the novel, David Taylor, is working as a substitute teacher in a religious school. The community mainly consists of aboriginal Canadians who speak the Cree language, and there are tensions between them and the nuns who run the school. David is caught in the midst of a threatening natural event whilst also struggling with his place in the community. Alongside this scenario flashbacks to David’s past reveal his life before moving to the community. Here we see the early days of his romance with the woman who will become his wife, the beginnings of his marriage, and his pursuit of his painterly ambitions.

As the narrative progresses the timelines gradually converge, giving an effective sense of immediacy and investment in character. David initially seems quite aimless, and content to let life take him where it will, as opposed to trying to steer it himself. This leads to many instances of indecision and fecklessness, which make him quite unlikeable at times. I appreciated this aspect, as the protagonist is treated with nuance, his flaws on display and not easily resolved. His struggles are presented in a multifaceted manner, their origin and nature complicated and confused, which creates a candid, realist style.

From the beginning, David narrates his own story, presenting it to the titular Mouse, who we soon gather is his child. This choice by Reynolds mostly stands up, as there’s an interesting tension throughout the novel as questions are raised as to just why David feels it necessary to tell his side of the story. As the narrative progresses it is revealed why David would want to explain himself.

The most interesting theme of the novel is the representation of the aboriginal Canadians. While we see them through David’s filter, I think the author has given an authentic account of the strain created when one culture tries to inflict itself on another, whatever the intentions.

A well drawn narrative with an absorbing backdrop. Available free online.

[Brian]

I should probably say nothing here although there seems to be quite an echo. I would warn any potential reader, there are a few typos, omitted words, mistakes in punctuation, and poor word choices. I seriously hope this book isn't so bad that people felt embarrassed for me, too embarrassed to comment. But I do stand by my (and I think Northrop Frye's) contention that authors are not the best judges of their own writing. It is available for free at smashwords.com (search Brian Reynolds + Mouse) (And I did finally get around to reading it myself.)