What do you think?
Rate this book
Square Wheels: ... a family saga of 1925 Toronto
Family life in Toronto. 1925. Simple. euphoric, winsome? Not exactly. Siofra, a young adolescent prone to mischief.Nessa. Siofra's sister. Burgeoning career woman. Pretentious. Driven.Abigail Conor. The Mother. Suffragette. Determined. Austere.Eamon Conor. The Father. Mechanically dexterous. Psychotic.
634 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2020
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 1, 2021
"Square Wheels" by the Canadian author David Bruce Patterson is a highly captivating historical fiction novel that is both entertaining and emotionally intense. Patterson creates a unique tale set during a fascinating and innovative period in Toronto's history with a focus on the Conors: a fictional family who grapple with a series events that will leave readers laughing, heartbroken, surprised, and nostalgic for the people and places the author has brought to life.
Patterson's novel has much to offer in terms of Toronto's history from technology, to fashion, and feminist ideals. The extensive research required for a novel of its kind and length covers a broad array of topics suitable for many readers and interests that strays from being boring and overloaded with explanations, but instead, is brought to the pages in evocative detail and simple terminology. The author's choice to include an overview of these different aspects that were being modified or introduced during this time period made it feel like the complexities and contributions of Toronto's past were being considered and praised in leading the city to where it is today.
The Conors have much to offer to the story and Toronto's history as their dynamics are very complex, especially set against a rapidly changing and advancing society. Not only do these members clash opinions and interests like most families often do, they also struggle to find their place in a world that was bursting with innovation and modernity. This family, with their strong views of the world and wildly differing interests, create characters so lifelike and powerful in their voices and the choices they make, it is hard to believe the novel is not partly biographical. The Conors are a passionate family who care a lot for the things which make their soul sing and love one another deeply. Audiences will be taken by Mr. Conor's interest in technology and innovation, Mrs. Conor's passion for creating a space for women in society and the future, as well as the children's flair for fashion and adventure.
"Square Wheels" will leave many readers feeling an array of intense emotions as they journey through these pages with a beautiful family that, no matter the issue, will always find a way to come together. This is a powerful novel full of awe-inspiring, traumatic, humorous, sorrowful, and hopeful moments that occur during a tumultuous, but incredible time period in Toronto's history. "Square Wheels" is a must-read and highly recommended novel.
Patterson's novel has much to offer in terms of Toronto's history from technology, to fashion, and feminist ideals. The extensive research required for a novel of its kind and length covers a broad array of topics suitable for many readers and interests that strays from being boring and overloaded with explanations, but instead, is brought to the pages in evocative detail and simple terminology. The author's choice to include an overview of these different aspects that were being modified or introduced during this time period made it feel like the complexities and contributions of Toronto's past were being considered and praised in leading the city to where it is today.
The Conors have much to offer to the story and Toronto's history as their dynamics are very complex, especially set against a rapidly changing and advancing society. Not only do these members clash opinions and interests like most families often do, they also struggle to find their place in a world that was bursting with innovation and modernity. This family, with their strong views of the world and wildly differing interests, create characters so lifelike and powerful in their voices and the choices they make, it is hard to believe the novel is not partly biographical. The Conors are a passionate family who care a lot for the things which make their soul sing and love one another deeply. Audiences will be taken by Mr. Conor's interest in technology and innovation, Mrs. Conor's passion for creating a space for women in society and the future, as well as the children's flair for fashion and adventure.
"Square Wheels" will leave many readers feeling an array of intense emotions as they journey through these pages with a beautiful family that, no matter the issue, will always find a way to come together. This is a powerful novel full of awe-inspiring, traumatic, humorous, sorrowful, and hopeful moments that occur during a tumultuous, but incredible time period in Toronto's history. "Square Wheels" is a must-read and highly recommended novel.
Displaying 1 of 1 review