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Meadowlark
When her family's car goes through the ice on Rainy Lake one cold March day in 1962, six-year-old Rebecca Archer is the only person her father is able to pull from the sinking vehicle. But as Rebecca grows up in a farmhouse haunted by the absence of her mother and baby brother, raised by a man left nearly paralyzed with grief, she wonders if her father really did save her after all.
Eventually though, Rebecca finds solace in the company of her friends: Chuck, the sensitive son of a violently abusive father; and Lissie, an Aboriginal girl being raised alone by a perfectionist white mother. As these three young people protect and support one another, Rebecca discovers that by saving Chuck and Lissie, she may also save herself.
Eventually though, Rebecca finds solace in the company of her friends: Chuck, the sensitive son of a violently abusive father; and Lissie, an Aboriginal girl being raised alone by a perfectionist white mother. As these three young people protect and support one another, Rebecca discovers that by saving Chuck and Lissie, she may also save herself.
300 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2015
About the author
Wendi Stewart
2 books22 followersWendi Stewart grew up on a farm in Northwestern Ontario and now makes her home in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She has been published in The Antigonish Review, The Leaf, the Owen Sound Sun Times, and in Every Second Thursday published by Glenmalure Publications. She currently has columns appearing in the Fort Frances Times and the Chronicle Herald. Meadowlark is her first novel.
She is the mother of four daughters!
She is the mother of four daughters!
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 21, 2015
Meadowlark is a beautifully written,sometimes heartbreaking,coming of age novel.It is very impressive for a debut and had me hooked from the prologue.Rebecca Archer's childhood ends at age 6,the day her family's car goes through the ice on Rainy Lake in northern Ontario and she loses her mother and baby brother.Her father withdraws from the world and from his daughter,unable to escape his grief.Rebecca grows up neglected,but latches onto two other outcast children,Chuck and Lissie,who are encouraged by her strength.The three friends rely on each other for love,support and acceptance.Meadowlark has a very satisfying ending with the children graduated from high school,moving on from their dysfunctional families and looking towards the future.Highly recommended
October 12, 2015
I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway
I enjoyed the book- it was interesting how the 3 characters merged together and helped each other overcome their traumatic upbringings. It was well written and the ending left you to ponder.
I would read any more novels this author would write in the future as I think this was a great first novel.
I enjoyed the book- it was interesting how the 3 characters merged together and helped each other overcome their traumatic upbringings. It was well written and the ending left you to ponder.
I would read any more novels this author would write in the future as I think this was a great first novel.
September 18, 2016
Als das Auto der Familie Archer in Kanada durchs Eis eines gefrorenen Sees bricht, kann Robert einzig seine Tochter retten. Während sie heranwächst, kümmert sich Rebecca allein um den Haushalt und die Farm, der Vater kapselt sich ab. Doch so überwältigend wie die Trauer ist auch ihre Wut auf den Vater, dem nicht zu helfen ist und der nach und nach alle Erinnerungsstücke an die Mutter verschwinden lässt. Trost findet Rebecca in der Freundschaft mit Chuck, einem empfindsamen, von seinem Vater tyrannisierten Jungen, und mit Lissie, die von einer perfektionistischen Adoptivmutter gegängelt wird. – Ein eindringliches Debüt, das Trauer und Komik, Melancholie und unbändigen Lebenswillen perfekt verbindet.
(Klappentext)
Gleich zu Beginn fand ich toll, wie gut und authentisch die Autorin aus der Sicht von Kindern geschrieben hat und man nachvollziehen konnte, wie Rebecca, Chuck und Lissie verschiedene Situationen und Geschehnisse wahrnehmen und erleben.
Die ersten paar Kapitel erzählen von Rebeccas Leben und dem schrecklichen Unfall der Familie, der ihr komplettes Leben verändert. Später wird auch aus der Sicht der anderen beiden Hauptcharaktere erzählt.
Zitat : "Manchmal schwingt sie sich mitten auf der Koppel auf ihr Pony, liegt auf Daisys Rücken und schaut in die Wolken. Dann sieht sie Hunde und Drachen und Burgen in den sich auftürmenden und dahintreibenden Wolken und vergisst für kurze Zeit, wo sie ist und wer sie ist. Sie denkt nicht mehr an Verlust und Einsamkeit und daran, wie sich das Leben urplötzlich verändern kann."
Oft gibt es in dem Buch mehrere Zeitsprünge und Rebecca beim Schulanfang Chuck kennen, der auch kein einfaches Leben hat. Obwohl, und wahrscheinlich gerade deswegen, weil die beiden so verschieden ist, freunden sie sich an. Rebecca ist charakterlich sehr selbstbewusst, und für ihr Alter ungewöhnlich realistisch und muss durch ihre aktuelle Situation schnell lernen, eigenständig zu sein und viele Aufgaben im Haushalt übernehmen. Chuck dagegen ist träumerisch, kindlicher und hilfloser als Rebecca und leidet viel unter seinem Vater. Er ist ängstlich und wirkt schwächlich und man merkt schnell, wie sie sehr er Rebecca braucht.
Diese ganz besondere Freundschaft zwischen den beiden, die zusammen Dinge unternehmen um ihrem harten und tristen Alltag zu entfliehen, ist einfach nur schön. Rebecca nimmt zwar mehr die Unterstützende Rolle ein, aber durch Chuck ist sie auch weniger einsam.
Erst deutlich später taucht Lissie auf, die durch ihre Adoption auf einer Identitätssuche ist, den von ihrer Adoptivmutter streng kontrollierten Tagesablauf befolgen muss und keine Freunde hat und nicht irgendwo richtig dazugehört. Gut gefallen hat mir auch wieder, dass Rebecca, mit ihrer starken nach außen Persönlichkeit und ihrer für die anderen unsichtbaren inneren Verletztheit, Lissie eine total große Hilfe ist und die drei Freunde insgesamt durch ihre Freundschaft stärker sind, weil Liebe von ihren Familien nicht existiert.
Von großer Bedeutung ist für das Buch die Fantasie und Vorstellungskraft in der Welt von Rebecca, Chuck und Lisssie, wo es eigentlich keine Hoffnung auf ein besseres Leben gibt. Ihre Träume sind trotz ihrer verlorenen Kindheiten nicht vergessen und sie wünschen sich ein anderes Leben, indem sie glücklich sind.
Zitat : "Sie hatte noch nie eine Freundin, ist noch nie in ein Baumhaus gestiegen, um leise von Träumen und Alpträumen zu erzählen, hat noch nie jemanden aus ihrer Klasse zum Übernachten eingeladen, noch nie im Wohnzimmer ein Zelt aus Decken und Sofakissen gebaut.[...] Vielleicht ist es zu spät für Elisabeth, sich ihnen anzuschließen, aber es könnte ihre letzte Chance sein, Freundschaft zu erfahren, zu erleben, neben jemanden zu stehen, der dort nicht stehen muss, es aber trotzdem tut."
Interessant ist war auch, dass die Geschichte ungefähr ab den 60er Jahren in einer trostlosen, leicht abgeschiedenen Kleinstadt in Kanada spielt.
Was mich leider nicht komplett überzeugen konnte, war der Schreibstil der Autorin. Zwar mochte ich total, wie sie aus der Sicht der Hauptpersonen geschrieben hat, aber oft war die Geschichte doch langatmig, es gab manchmal abrupte Zeitsprünge und das Buch konnte mich nicht richtig packen. Ich habe leider (auch bei so einem Genre) das Gefühl vermisst, unbedingt weiter lesen zu wollen.
Fazit :
Ein gutes und berührendes Buch über verlorene Kindheiten und die ganz besondere Freundschaft von Rebecca, Chuck und Lissie in einer trostlosen Welt.
(Klappentext)
Gleich zu Beginn fand ich toll, wie gut und authentisch die Autorin aus der Sicht von Kindern geschrieben hat und man nachvollziehen konnte, wie Rebecca, Chuck und Lissie verschiedene Situationen und Geschehnisse wahrnehmen und erleben.
Die ersten paar Kapitel erzählen von Rebeccas Leben und dem schrecklichen Unfall der Familie, der ihr komplettes Leben verändert. Später wird auch aus der Sicht der anderen beiden Hauptcharaktere erzählt.
Zitat : "Manchmal schwingt sie sich mitten auf der Koppel auf ihr Pony, liegt auf Daisys Rücken und schaut in die Wolken. Dann sieht sie Hunde und Drachen und Burgen in den sich auftürmenden und dahintreibenden Wolken und vergisst für kurze Zeit, wo sie ist und wer sie ist. Sie denkt nicht mehr an Verlust und Einsamkeit und daran, wie sich das Leben urplötzlich verändern kann."
Oft gibt es in dem Buch mehrere Zeitsprünge und Rebecca beim Schulanfang Chuck kennen, der auch kein einfaches Leben hat. Obwohl, und wahrscheinlich gerade deswegen, weil die beiden so verschieden ist, freunden sie sich an. Rebecca ist charakterlich sehr selbstbewusst, und für ihr Alter ungewöhnlich realistisch und muss durch ihre aktuelle Situation schnell lernen, eigenständig zu sein und viele Aufgaben im Haushalt übernehmen. Chuck dagegen ist träumerisch, kindlicher und hilfloser als Rebecca und leidet viel unter seinem Vater. Er ist ängstlich und wirkt schwächlich und man merkt schnell, wie sie sehr er Rebecca braucht.
Diese ganz besondere Freundschaft zwischen den beiden, die zusammen Dinge unternehmen um ihrem harten und tristen Alltag zu entfliehen, ist einfach nur schön. Rebecca nimmt zwar mehr die Unterstützende Rolle ein, aber durch Chuck ist sie auch weniger einsam.
Erst deutlich später taucht Lissie auf, die durch ihre Adoption auf einer Identitätssuche ist, den von ihrer Adoptivmutter streng kontrollierten Tagesablauf befolgen muss und keine Freunde hat und nicht irgendwo richtig dazugehört. Gut gefallen hat mir auch wieder, dass Rebecca, mit ihrer starken nach außen Persönlichkeit und ihrer für die anderen unsichtbaren inneren Verletztheit, Lissie eine total große Hilfe ist und die drei Freunde insgesamt durch ihre Freundschaft stärker sind, weil Liebe von ihren Familien nicht existiert.
Von großer Bedeutung ist für das Buch die Fantasie und Vorstellungskraft in der Welt von Rebecca, Chuck und Lisssie, wo es eigentlich keine Hoffnung auf ein besseres Leben gibt. Ihre Träume sind trotz ihrer verlorenen Kindheiten nicht vergessen und sie wünschen sich ein anderes Leben, indem sie glücklich sind.
Zitat : "Sie hatte noch nie eine Freundin, ist noch nie in ein Baumhaus gestiegen, um leise von Träumen und Alpträumen zu erzählen, hat noch nie jemanden aus ihrer Klasse zum Übernachten eingeladen, noch nie im Wohnzimmer ein Zelt aus Decken und Sofakissen gebaut.[...] Vielleicht ist es zu spät für Elisabeth, sich ihnen anzuschließen, aber es könnte ihre letzte Chance sein, Freundschaft zu erfahren, zu erleben, neben jemanden zu stehen, der dort nicht stehen muss, es aber trotzdem tut."
Interessant ist war auch, dass die Geschichte ungefähr ab den 60er Jahren in einer trostlosen, leicht abgeschiedenen Kleinstadt in Kanada spielt.
Was mich leider nicht komplett überzeugen konnte, war der Schreibstil der Autorin. Zwar mochte ich total, wie sie aus der Sicht der Hauptpersonen geschrieben hat, aber oft war die Geschichte doch langatmig, es gab manchmal abrupte Zeitsprünge und das Buch konnte mich nicht richtig packen. Ich habe leider (auch bei so einem Genre) das Gefühl vermisst, unbedingt weiter lesen zu wollen.
Fazit :
Ein gutes und berührendes Buch über verlorene Kindheiten und die ganz besondere Freundschaft von Rebecca, Chuck und Lissie in einer trostlosen Welt.
November 17, 2015
Wow, what an AWESOME book! I just finished it this morning, having picked it up a few days ago at Indigo. I read it sitting in the truck while I waited for my youngest's bus to arrive. I read it in the truck while his team was changing for hockey, instead of kibbitzing with the other parents at the arena. I read it in my eldest's room (he's away at university) until late at night, when I should have been asleep. I read it by the light of dawn, first thing in the morning, quietly in bed, when I should have been out to feed the dogs and horses before everyone else gets up. I had a hard time putting it down.
Meadowlark made me cry several times over. It made me remember and think about Rebecca and Chuck and Robert and Charlotte and all the others while I was doing my chores during the day. It made me reflect. It made me compare. It made me analyze.
The characters are unforgettable. They are so poignantly described, they feel real. Their experiences are vivid. They are clearly written by an author who has mature understanding not only of the events occurring in the characters' lives, but also the kind of absorption and processing that only time can provide. The result is a powerful transitioning on the part of Rebecca from raw pain to pure strength, and her beautiful instinct to nurture and protect her two close friends.
It struck me early on in the novel that most of the male characters were nasty. As the mother of four boys, I'm hyper aware of how men are portrayed, how they are so often bowled over by the media, by words, by images, by "jokes" on the internet. The men in my life are strong silent types, taught to be polite, to be tolerant, to turn the other cheek. They dislike confrontation, and so when they are faced with bullying words in the guise of jokes from women, they would rather turn away than spend time and energy "getting into it". And so, the insults remain unchallenged. Women are often so much better with words, and they pay more attention to any offense, either real or perceived. They are better at identifying nuances and better at challenging them. So it was with disappointment that I read about the arrogant doctor, the abusive father, the crazy music teacher, etc. They far outnumbered the few good men, primarily Robert's friend, Mr. Law, and the homeroom teacher. It makes me very sad to think that this might possibly be close to reality for some women. This, however, was Rebecca's reality at that time, in that place. I read it as a sad eye-opener for those of us who never experienced such painful rejection or lack of kindness from so many men in their lives.
Naturally, I would like to know what happens to Rebecca, Chuck, and Elisabeth. My mind has already begun to wander down that path, to guess what might become of each of their journeys. Will there be a sequel?
If so, can't wait!!
Meadowlark made me cry several times over. It made me remember and think about Rebecca and Chuck and Robert and Charlotte and all the others while I was doing my chores during the day. It made me reflect. It made me compare. It made me analyze.
The characters are unforgettable. They are so poignantly described, they feel real. Their experiences are vivid. They are clearly written by an author who has mature understanding not only of the events occurring in the characters' lives, but also the kind of absorption and processing that only time can provide. The result is a powerful transitioning on the part of Rebecca from raw pain to pure strength, and her beautiful instinct to nurture and protect her two close friends.
It struck me early on in the novel that most of the male characters were nasty. As the mother of four boys, I'm hyper aware of how men are portrayed, how they are so often bowled over by the media, by words, by images, by "jokes" on the internet. The men in my life are strong silent types, taught to be polite, to be tolerant, to turn the other cheek. They dislike confrontation, and so when they are faced with bullying words in the guise of jokes from women, they would rather turn away than spend time and energy "getting into it". And so, the insults remain unchallenged. Women are often so much better with words, and they pay more attention to any offense, either real or perceived. They are better at identifying nuances and better at challenging them. So it was with disappointment that I read about the arrogant doctor, the abusive father, the crazy music teacher, etc. They far outnumbered the few good men, primarily Robert's friend, Mr. Law, and the homeroom teacher. It makes me very sad to think that this might possibly be close to reality for some women. This, however, was Rebecca's reality at that time, in that place. I read it as a sad eye-opener for those of us who never experienced such painful rejection or lack of kindness from so many men in their lives.
Naturally, I would like to know what happens to Rebecca, Chuck, and Elisabeth. My mind has already begun to wander down that path, to guess what might become of each of their journeys. Will there be a sequel?
If so, can't wait!!
November 20, 2015
Meadowlark (NeWest Press) is a work of literary fiction by debut novelist Wendi Stewart.
In broad brush-strokes, it is the story of three children - Rebecca, Chuck and Lissie - growing up in 1960s western Ontario, in families that are the anti-thesis of those depicted in pop-culture sitcoms like Leave it to Beaver or the Brady Bunch. Let’s just say, you’ll meet no June Cleavers here. You will meet the protagonists' families, such as they are, families left too much on their own with both big and small tragedies. Rebecca’s and Lissie’s lives have been profoundly knocked off course by catastrophic accidents and in Chuck’s case it is the generational, long-play of unfulfilled dreams.
The notion of “it takes a village” comes slowly to life in a way that gives that somewhat saccharin phrase its true shape. As the parents of the three children are unable to fulfill their part of the bargain – to love and nurture – it is a host of bi-standers who, often unwittingly, end up filling the void.
If you are a fan of Mary Lawson’s work, Alexander McLeod’s No Great Mischief, or Dianne Warren’s Cool Water, you will love Meadowlark.
Stewart may be new to the literary scene but she is a bona fide story-teller, who also has a solid grasp of craft. Here she delivers a story full of yearning, an inextinguishable longing to recover the past and your heart will ache in that delicious way a good book can make happen but reader beware: have the tissues handy!
In broad brush-strokes, it is the story of three children - Rebecca, Chuck and Lissie - growing up in 1960s western Ontario, in families that are the anti-thesis of those depicted in pop-culture sitcoms like Leave it to Beaver or the Brady Bunch. Let’s just say, you’ll meet no June Cleavers here. You will meet the protagonists' families, such as they are, families left too much on their own with both big and small tragedies. Rebecca’s and Lissie’s lives have been profoundly knocked off course by catastrophic accidents and in Chuck’s case it is the generational, long-play of unfulfilled dreams.
The notion of “it takes a village” comes slowly to life in a way that gives that somewhat saccharin phrase its true shape. As the parents of the three children are unable to fulfill their part of the bargain – to love and nurture – it is a host of bi-standers who, often unwittingly, end up filling the void.
If you are a fan of Mary Lawson’s work, Alexander McLeod’s No Great Mischief, or Dianne Warren’s Cool Water, you will love Meadowlark.
Stewart may be new to the literary scene but she is a bona fide story-teller, who also has a solid grasp of craft. Here she delivers a story full of yearning, an inextinguishable longing to recover the past and your heart will ache in that delicious way a good book can make happen but reader beware: have the tissues handy!
October 31, 2015
A really lovely coming-of-age book set in rural Ontario. Rebecca, Chuck and Lissie all have troubled homes, in some way or another. Stewart digs into troubled parent-child relationships, and the ways people try to find what they're lacking in their home lives, finding a place to belong.
I found I was really rooting for the characters, hoping they'd all find a way to break out of their restricted lives. Overall a very good read.
I found I was really rooting for the characters, hoping they'd all find a way to break out of their restricted lives. Overall a very good read.
November 7, 2015
A wonderful story of growing up as an outsider not kn owing where or to whom you belong. The characters were well developed and drew you into their sorrow. A very heart warming story that will move you to tears.
November 17, 2020
When I finished this book, I had to ask myself…. have I experienced real grief and do I really understand hope? It’s not the same experience for everyone and especially for Rebecca Archer, daughter of a farmer and our protagonist in Wendi Stewart’s debut novel Meadowlark.
In northern Ontario 1962, a horrific automobile accident spares Rebecca and her father but drowns her mother and infant brother. This tragedy, coupled with her father’s total withdrawal inside himself, sharpens Rebecca’s emotional intelligence and instills in her an empathy worthy of our attention. She befriends and then ruthlessly champions the most vulnerable: Chuck, a runtish boy whose father beats him and Lissie, an adopted aboriginal girl who doesn’t know where she’s from. In this role Rebecca thrives, giving the love and support her father cannot.
Despite Rebecca’s broken relationship with her father, her role as a daughter (and now only child) clearly exceeds what is typically demanded of a young girl. Although she resents her father for the denatured man he has become, she cares enough about him to take on the role of parent and bear responsibility for both of them. She may not do it lovingly, but in her own way, she ends up saving him.
Stewart’s story reflects self-discovery in the midst of suffering - it is a novel of tragedy infused with hope and survival.
In northern Ontario 1962, a horrific automobile accident spares Rebecca and her father but drowns her mother and infant brother. This tragedy, coupled with her father’s total withdrawal inside himself, sharpens Rebecca’s emotional intelligence and instills in her an empathy worthy of our attention. She befriends and then ruthlessly champions the most vulnerable: Chuck, a runtish boy whose father beats him and Lissie, an adopted aboriginal girl who doesn’t know where she’s from. In this role Rebecca thrives, giving the love and support her father cannot.
Despite Rebecca’s broken relationship with her father, her role as a daughter (and now only child) clearly exceeds what is typically demanded of a young girl. Although she resents her father for the denatured man he has become, she cares enough about him to take on the role of parent and bear responsibility for both of them. She may not do it lovingly, but in her own way, she ends up saving him.
Stewart’s story reflects self-discovery in the midst of suffering - it is a novel of tragedy infused with hope and survival.
April 25, 2018
This book left me wanting... wanting more from the characters, wanting to finish their stories. But I always feel that is the sign of a good book one that engages you with the characters - where you feel you are part of their lives and want to stay with them as they continue on their journey. While the characters were much younger they grew, or rather matured, during the course of the book. Meadowlark starts with a tragedy and we see how a little girl and her father are impacted and how she survives thanks to good friends and good memories.
February 11, 2016
A wonderful story about a very strong young woman; about three kids who had to raise themselves - living with parents who were emotionally absent and/or abusive; about grief; about love and family and friends and belonging.
December 26, 2015
Outstanding tale of characters you love and want the best for. Characters who you grieve for when the last page is turned.
December 9, 2015
Well done! The characters are engaging, the ending is satisfying and the writing is beautiful.
December 23, 2015
Lovely coming-of-age book about friendship and the power it has to bring us through life's hardest spots.
July 2, 2024
A (first and only) novel by an unheard of( by me) Canadian author, this confirms my opinion that mass popularity is not necessarily an indicator of a book’s enjoyability. I picked this one up at our small town used booksale for a couple of bucks, attracted by its glorious cover. This novel takes place in small town Ontario, and track the lives of three kids, all of whom have less than ideal parenting, but whose friendship as outsiders are life saving for them. The story was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I loved it and it’s too bad the author didn’t following up with a sequel. I want to know what happened to those kids as adults.
October 19, 2024
A buried gem that deserves to be unearthed. I'm so glad to have discovered this beautifully written, poignant, insightful novel. A tender story about three children growing up in loveless homes who find and rescue one another. Lessons in strength, resilience, and how to be a fierce friend. Highly, highly recommended.
January 10, 2026
this one was good for a moment but then i just got fed up with the fact that a literal 6 year old child could intimidate a grown man who is abusive to his family. it was so far fetched. the talk about grief and descriptions on how her and her father moved through their grief differently was excellent but yeah…. started to get annoying and far fetched.
June 17, 2019
The story really grabbed me. Wendi Stewart did an excellent job narrating from a child's point of view. I absolutely loved Rebecca, she was tough and I saw so much of myself in her character. Loved this book.
March 15, 2018
I liked this book although some descriptions became a bit tedious and I skipped pages. I enjoyed it right to the end. Yay!
July 25, 2019
More a young adult....unsatisfactory ending, 2 characters missing an ending
January 25, 2020
I adore this book!!! I hope Wendi Stewart is writing another.
March 2, 2020
A beautiful story ...
September 1, 2015
I was sent a free advance reader copy of Meadowlark by the publisher through a Goodreads Giveaway.
Meadowlark is a coming-of-age story set in small-town Manitoba in the 60s and 70s, and the author's inaugural work. After my first day of reading this novel, I wasn't sure I could go on with it. I was sitting in my back yard with my 1-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter, reading through tears and considered shelving it. It's not often that I stop reading a book, but this one was hitting pretty close to home for me and I wasn't sure I wanted to put myself through reading it. I gave it a rest for a day and went back to it.
After the initial tragedy, the book's sadness is blunted at least to some degree, and I was, happily, able to keep reading. This is a good book, with good solid characters. I truly hope Ms Stewart continues to write about these characters because they quickly burrow under the reader's skin.
I did have a few issues with the book, however. I have a terrible time dealing with novels written in present tense. To me, present tense takes away the story-telling aspect of fiction, and it reminds me of described video for the visually impaired. I also found the writing just a bit unrefined, and felt like many spots could benefit from another re-write. There were many clumsy sentences and paragraphs, and words that repeat too closely together. For example, on page 37 both the second and third sentences begin with the words "My chest". On page 45, the first sentence describes "a black car". The second sentence again uses the word "car" to describe it. I think it would have flowed better if it instead read "there is no dust on the paint, no fingerprints...". I know it's a bit nit-picky, but each time I stumbled over one of these, they stuck with me. Also, Jake is described as being 11 months old, but later in the story, the author mentions his birthday party.
All in all, Meadowlark was a sad and beautiful book and I think the author has a great deal of potential for greatness, but a lack of polish and attention to detail means it fell a bit short for me.
Meadowlark is a coming-of-age story set in small-town Manitoba in the 60s and 70s, and the author's inaugural work. After my first day of reading this novel, I wasn't sure I could go on with it. I was sitting in my back yard with my 1-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter, reading through tears and considered shelving it. It's not often that I stop reading a book, but this one was hitting pretty close to home for me and I wasn't sure I wanted to put myself through reading it. I gave it a rest for a day and went back to it.
After the initial tragedy, the book's sadness is blunted at least to some degree, and I was, happily, able to keep reading. This is a good book, with good solid characters. I truly hope Ms Stewart continues to write about these characters because they quickly burrow under the reader's skin.
I did have a few issues with the book, however. I have a terrible time dealing with novels written in present tense. To me, present tense takes away the story-telling aspect of fiction, and it reminds me of described video for the visually impaired. I also found the writing just a bit unrefined, and felt like many spots could benefit from another re-write. There were many clumsy sentences and paragraphs, and words that repeat too closely together. For example, on page 37 both the second and third sentences begin with the words "My chest". On page 45, the first sentence describes "a black car". The second sentence again uses the word "car" to describe it. I think it would have flowed better if it instead read "there is no dust on the paint, no fingerprints...". I know it's a bit nit-picky, but each time I stumbled over one of these, they stuck with me. Also, Jake is described as being 11 months old, but later in the story, the author mentions his birthday party.
All in all, Meadowlark was a sad and beautiful book and I think the author has a great deal of potential for greatness, but a lack of polish and attention to detail means it fell a bit short for me.
July 14, 2016
While the prose inspired all the fear and hurt and fury that accompany any kind of tragedy, the actual story inspired me to put the book down a few times. There are as many clichés in the novel as there are fictional cattle, the latter being a little more enticing. I found Chuck and his grandmother to be the most compelling characters, as they both provided contrast to Rebecca's "crying is for baby's" attitude towards literally everything, which I did admire her for in all honesty. For a debut novel, all the elements of a heartwarming coming of age story are there, the only thing it lacks is any real change other than Rebecca's loss at the very beginning of the book.
November 27, 2015
A coming of age story full of tragedy, secrets, and, in the end, hope.
There was much to like about the novel--some passages that were heartbreaking, the author's ability to capture grief, the many, layered looks at brokenness. But there were also some elements that never quite worked for me--Rebecca was too-perfect a protagonist, many of the secrets were anticlimactic, many story threads rushed in resolution. The pacing felt off, and would likely have been more effective if the narrative arcs were balanced differently.
An enjoyable first novel.
There was much to like about the novel--some passages that were heartbreaking, the author's ability to capture grief, the many, layered looks at brokenness. But there were also some elements that never quite worked for me--Rebecca was too-perfect a protagonist, many of the secrets were anticlimactic, many story threads rushed in resolution. The pacing felt off, and would likely have been more effective if the narrative arcs were balanced differently.
An enjoyable first novel.
July 15, 2018
Very well done. I loved Rebecca, Chuck and Lissie.
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