Kate's Ring

by Donna Grassby

Young adult fiction. Donna Grassby's novel gives us a riveting and inspiring story that overflows with grit and texture, and unforgettable characters.

263 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Will Marrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly, deeply human story that delves into the life of a family torn apart by illness, alcoholism, poverty and fate. Kate, the novel's protagonist, is a perfect mix of vulnerability, fortitude, uncertainty and resilience. The juxtaposition of the two settings for the novel create a stark contrast between the necessary scourge of industry in a blue-collar steel town and the harsh beauty of the Cape Breton wilderness. Life is not easy anywhere and there is no easy way out for Kate, but she navigates her own way through the confusing path laid out by the well-intentioned adults who seem to provide more questions than answers for Kate on her journey.

A true gem of a novel for young adults and adults alike who wish to know what it takes to be taken to the brink for the ones you love and to try and find your way back home again.

[Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate`s life is changed as her mother`s illness from consumption affects the whole family. Set in 1928, readers will view the world as it was then, with the hardships that come with life in a town on the coast of Cape Breton. Kate must find the strength to handle all of the responsibilities that come her way as she transitions from 13 to 14 years old. Recommended for middle grade and teen readers who enjoy historical fiction.

[Kathy Stinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captures beautifully, in vivid detail, the textures of life in Cape Breton in the 1920s. The Cape Breton voices too. It may seem as if not a lot is happening as the author sets the stage in the early pages, but don’t be fooled, there’ll be plenty to laugh and cry about before too long! (I almost cry just thinking about the compassion and bravery that abound in this heartfelt story.

Visit www.donnagrassby.com to read a short excerpt and comments by authors like Sandra Birdsell and Martha Brooks. (Also to see the book’s gorgeous cover, if Goodreads doesn’t get it up here soon.)

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time travel back to Cape Breton and more specifically Whitney Pier in the 1920s and find yourself immersed in the life of thirteen year old Kate, who is the oldest of six children in a family beset with problems, specifically an alcoholic father and a mother who is ill with that scourge of the early twentieth century – tuberculosis, and cannot cope with both poverty and looking after her children. She relies heavily on Kate and it soon becomes apparent that Kate is the only one who can bear the ultimate responsibility for her brothers and sisters.
The family attempts a return to rural Margaree where the paternal side of the family originates to reverse their fortunes, but nothing goes as foreseen, and they are forced to return to Whitney Pier where everything goes devastatingly downhill and there is more heartbreak and tragedy that Kate must face with determination and sacrifice.

The strength of this novel is in the depiction of the reality of Whitney Pier in the 1920s. Grassby’s description of the town and the collieries and the day to day activities is nuanced and feels enormously real. The book is peppered with the names of Cape Breton – Chisholm, Rankin, MacDonald. The influence of the local priest and the church is emphasized, and the author’s introduction of local dialect is never forced but feels very natural.

What is less strong is the characterization. Many of the characters do not feel fully realized, including Kate. Although she has the potential, Kate is no “Anne” (of Green Gables) because as her father says, “She’s a nice girl”. And she is, but she needs to be more multi-dimensional and well-rounded. Her father and mother who are the cause of her/their problems need stronger definition as well. Two of the better-done characters are Kate’s Aunt Flora and her paternal grandmother “Aigneis” who both add a lot to the atmosphere and the story. Although the book has a relatively slow start, it culminates well and is rich in human spirit and generosity, and the very realistic ending makes for a strong finish.
3.5 stars

[Cara M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the details of life in Nova Scotia, but the story felt more like an excuse to tour around the area rather than a good yarn. Kate was put upon, but she never really took action, tried and failed, or struggled. Though it was told in the form of a diary, it never really benefited from that form. I wasn't sure why it wasn't in another form of first person. A lot happened at the end and I was glad to have finished it, but was still disappointed that Kate only had things happen to her, and the only thing she actually does is silently stand her ground at the end.

[Mary Chong · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was touching at the end when the drunken Dad remembered Kate's birthday.

[Val Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Updated review.

This wasn't the best book that I ever read, but it really strikes close to home because it's set in my hometown. Also kinda proves the fact that where I live is dark, because this was dark even in the 1920's, riddled by poverty (at a time of prosperity except for Atlantic Canada and the territories, thank you Social Studies class) and loss and just..too much family members. (My maternal grandmother has at least eight siblings and my paternal grandmother has fifteen, so yeah I get where that's coming from)

Everyone has different reactions to Mama's death. I started doing one of those really fast inhales and exhales, not quite hyperventilating in the middle of my English so much that my partner thought I had an anxiety attack. Gramma refuses to speak of her name again, due to the suicide, and Iain goes on a drunk spiral, considering that was already kind of what he does, and basically sets his remaining children on a path for the orphanage and- sells Mama's ring that she meant for Kate to have. Mind. Blown.

Flora is a bit of a love-hate character, committing to the stereotype of the strict aunt that is way too religious to be comfortable for a reader and wants the MC to move out because she doesn't trust the mom..if that can be able to be counted as a trope. There's something overused there and I just can't find what.

I did find a typo.

All in all, I rate this book two stars because it was an okay plot without the things I chipped away, and it was nice to hear the little pang of places I already knew and don't see in books that DON'T have tartan and seafood and whatnot on the cover.