Breaking Trail

by Fran Hurcomb

Fourteen semi-autobiographical short stories from the 1970s and 80s set in the Yellowknife area of Canada's Northwest Territories. The stories are a light hearted look at the authors journey from unplanned adventure to finding her home. Highlights include building a log cabin, trapping and training and running dog teams for over twenty years.
Available from the author at franhurcomb@gmail.com

168 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2020

About the author

Fran Hurcomb is a writer/photographer living in Yellowknife, NWT, Canada.

Reviews

[Melissa Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* A wonderful book. I met Fran at the gift shop in Yellowknife's Old Town and she told me she was the author of the book as I was checking it out. I wish I was going to be heading back to Yellowknife to be able to tell her that I enjoyed her stories so much. I want to hear more about her time working with sled dogs and what eventually made her move into town full time.
Spending time up north has been such an eye opener and hearing stories from the 1970s in YK makes it seem like such a fascinating place to be that I will never get to experience.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not everyone "gets" the North. The lifestyle and adventures described in this book will not appeal to everyone but if you have any interest in frontier living, Canadiana or just a zany sense of humour you will probably be as obsessed with this book as I am. It is atmospheric, evocative and just so much fun. Makes me wish I could time travel.

I'd give it 50 stars if I could, I love it that much.

[Kim Lanza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed Hurcomb’s style and stepping into her world. I visited Yellowknife a few months ago– It is interesting to think of it in its early stages of growth, and what takes to survive a winter in a small cabin away from civilization. if I had any illusion that I could do it… Hurcomb’s stories set the record straight.

[Marianne Reese · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Northern Stories from a Simpler Time” is accurate, however, living during these times was anything but simple. An interesting story of what it was like living in small towns and remote parts of NWT of Canada and how a woman (the author) came to live there.

[Janet Mercer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories of northern life, brought back some wonderful memories.

[Don Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow..just loved it... the stories are exceptionally well told, the description brilliantly vivid and the characters so varied and diverse. I want to see more. There must be many more stories!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining.