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Wonder World: A Novel
Winner of the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award
Finalist for the ReLit Award for Fiction
“What this town has done, it’s like pickling people. Taking us when we’re young and fresh and vulnerable, sticking us in a jar and filling us with all these rules they hope will preserve us from the rotting decay of worldliness. But you can’t brine someone in that much guilt and shame their whole lives and expect them not to change. Shrivel into mere husks of their former selves, sour as vinegar.”
Twenty-seven-year-old Isaac Funk is broke, drifting, and questioning his lonely existence on the East Coast. Having left his conservative hometown of Newfield, Manitoba full of piss and vinegar, Isaac’s dreams of studying music and embracing queer culture in Halifax have gradually fizzled out. When his grandfather dies and leaves him a substantial inheritance, Isaac is pulled back to the Prairies for the first time in ten years. Finding his father Abe just as enigmatic and unreachable as always and his extended family more fragmented than ever, Isaac begins to wonder if there will ever be a place for him in Newfield. Is the prodigal son home for good, or is it time to cut and run once more?
Finalist for the ReLit Award for Fiction
“What this town has done, it’s like pickling people. Taking us when we’re young and fresh and vulnerable, sticking us in a jar and filling us with all these rules they hope will preserve us from the rotting decay of worldliness. But you can’t brine someone in that much guilt and shame their whole lives and expect them not to change. Shrivel into mere husks of their former selves, sour as vinegar.”
Twenty-seven-year-old Isaac Funk is broke, drifting, and questioning his lonely existence on the East Coast. Having left his conservative hometown of Newfield, Manitoba full of piss and vinegar, Isaac’s dreams of studying music and embracing queer culture in Halifax have gradually fizzled out. When his grandfather dies and leaves him a substantial inheritance, Isaac is pulled back to the Prairies for the first time in ten years. Finding his father Abe just as enigmatic and unreachable as always and his extended family more fragmented than ever, Isaac begins to wonder if there will ever be a place for him in Newfield. Is the prodigal son home for good, or is it time to cut and run once more?
176 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2022
7 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
K.R. Byggdin
2 books7 followersK.R. Byggdin is the author of Wonder World (Enfield & Wizenty 2022), a ReLit Award finalist and winner of the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award. They hold an MFA from the University of Guelph and their writing has appeared in anthologies and journals across Canada, the UK, and New Zealand. Born and raised on the Prairies, they now call the East Coast home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 7, 2023
I loved this queer journey home, a novel about a struggling young adult seeing the place they grew up in a different light. Wonder World is the name of the farm/petting zoo/rural attraction in the Mennonite community of Newfield that our protagonist Isaac finds out he’s inherited from his grandfather. Broke and unable to make rent or friends in Halifax, he heads home to Manitoba to the family that has disowned him and uncovers a lot of family history and secrets as he attempts to build a life in a place he’s never felt he belongs.
K.R Byggdin writes with such wry, tongue-in-cheek humour and heart. I loved all the supporting characters and the way Isaac slowly discovers an entire world beneath the one he thought he knew, and that there is a welcoming thriving queer community even in a place as conservative and rural as Newfield. There’s hope and love and joy poured into this book, and I just loved it all the way to the teary end. I’d love to see more from these characters and can’t wait to see what they write next.
I’ve heard nothing but great things about this book and now I know why!
K.R Byggdin writes with such wry, tongue-in-cheek humour and heart. I loved all the supporting characters and the way Isaac slowly discovers an entire world beneath the one he thought he knew, and that there is a welcoming thriving queer community even in a place as conservative and rural as Newfield. There’s hope and love and joy poured into this book, and I just loved it all the way to the teary end. I’d love to see more from these characters and can’t wait to see what they write next.
I’ve heard nothing but great things about this book and now I know why!
April 19, 2022
You don’t have to be born into a Mennonite family in central Canada with a family farm and go east to find your queer self in the Maritimes and then wonder what your next step is to enjoy this book. (Dozens, there are literally dozens of us!) This is a treasure of a book, and I’m glad that Byggdin shared their wonderful creation with the world!
February 3, 2025
Histoire touchante d'un retour à la maison difficile pour un jeune homme issu de la diversité sexuelle dans une communauté ultra religieuse. On me l'avait recommandé dans une librairie indépendante de Halifax sans m'en dire davantage et j'ai été agréablement surpris.
October 16, 2022
One of the best queer subject books I’ve read recently.
“What this town has done, it's like pickling people. Taking us when we're young and fresh and vulnerable, sticking us in a jar and filling us with all these rules they hope will preserve us from the rotting decay of worldliness. But you can't brine someone in that much guilt and shame their whole lives and expect them not to change. Shrivel into mere husks of their former selves, sour as vinegar.”
4 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“What this town has done, it's like pickling people. Taking us when we're young and fresh and vulnerable, sticking us in a jar and filling us with all these rules they hope will preserve us from the rotting decay of worldliness. But you can't brine someone in that much guilt and shame their whole lives and expect them not to change. Shrivel into mere husks of their former selves, sour as vinegar.”
4 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 26, 2023
A tender love song to the prairies, found family, hometowns. To learning anew those you thought you knew inside and out. To resilience. To smoking cigarettes with your oldest friend when things feel impossible. To things being impossible, then possible again.
Beautiful. As everyone already said: I laughed. I cried.
Beautiful. As everyone already said: I laughed. I cried.
April 25, 2022
A really lovely read about finding queer community and belonging in unexpected places. Grateful these stories are being told!
December 12, 2023
The most charming narrator creates a prairie utopia 💛
post-religious bi/pans run to this one!!!
post-religious bi/pans run to this one!!!
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July 4, 2023A charming story on the 'go home again' theme, which suggests that you can go home again and even find space for yourself that wasn't (or didn't seem to be) there before you left. Very good humour and optimism, though not, of course, without its traumas. Winner of the most recent Thomas Raddall Prize for Atlantic-Canadian Fiction.
March 7, 2024
Such a wonderfully told story. Immersive and heartfelt, sometimes funny and always honest.
January 28, 2024
I loved this book! A really beautiful story set in small town, Mennonite Manitoba. Hopeful! Charming! Sad! Happy! Some annoying bits that can (and should) be easily overlooked.
September 18, 2024
I enjoyed this wee book immensely.
May 10, 2024
Very relatable…. In good ways and not so good ways. An easy read with some not so easy topics, definitely recommend
August 7, 2022
Catharsis. Reading this was like making amends with my own homophobic Christian Reform family and realizing that there can be found family anywhere, and that our own blood relatives could still surprise us.
Isaac reconciling with Abe and his Aunt and hosting Drag Show by the boy who spurned him on Graduation night made me cry happy tears. Even my mom admitted that the premise was sweet which is a type of reconciliation in itself for my queer self. Maybe I’ll go out looking for my own Wonder World in my small town. Who knows.
Isaac reconciling with Abe and his Aunt and hosting Drag Show by the boy who spurned him on Graduation night made me cry happy tears. Even my mom admitted that the premise was sweet which is a type of reconciliation in itself for my queer self. Maybe I’ll go out looking for my own Wonder World in my small town. Who knows.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 7, 2022I couldn't wait to read this first novel from K.R. Byggdin and it did not disappoint. I could close my eyes and picture the scenery, the outfits, the characters in the story, the boxed red wine..... And my quietly Queer heart loved reading about growing up Queer in a rural setting. It felt validating and hopeful. I can't wait to see what Mx Byggdin comes up with next!
June 2, 2022
Very nice story about making space for queerness in small towns. The main character wasn’t always the most likeable, but he was real and authentic and that made it a compelling book. Would love to visit a Triple L hangout!
September 3, 2022
A "returning to home" tale with a queer perspective, Wonder World is a surprising delight of a book. Isaac Funk travels from Halifax to his home town in Manitoba when his grandfather passes away and discovers family (found and rebuilt) where he thought he had long been abandoned.
It was fun reading this book as a Halifax resident, recognizing the areas and weather described, and the slight disenfranchised vibes. I imagine to outsiders reading this reads as the Manitoba sections did for me--authentic and descriptive.
The prose within Wonder World is concise and at times humorous. Isaac Funk isn't a particularly likable or emotive protagonist, but he's interesting and feels real, so his adventures around his hometown are easy to want to follow. I gulped this book down like pickle juice.
My only real critiques for this debut come from wishing it was longer--I felt at times the pacing rushed forward a little, and I would have liked to see more development within Isaac and the other characters, more lead-up to some of the payoff that is to come. It's fairly normal to keep a debut a condensed thought, but I would have enjoyed some expansion.
Still, if you like contemporary literature and want a taste of two layers of Canada, I'd highly recommend Wonder World.
It was fun reading this book as a Halifax resident, recognizing the areas and weather described, and the slight disenfranchised vibes. I imagine to outsiders reading this reads as the Manitoba sections did for me--authentic and descriptive.
The prose within Wonder World is concise and at times humorous. Isaac Funk isn't a particularly likable or emotive protagonist, but he's interesting and feels real, so his adventures around his hometown are easy to want to follow. I gulped this book down like pickle juice.
My only real critiques for this debut come from wishing it was longer--I felt at times the pacing rushed forward a little, and I would have liked to see more development within Isaac and the other characters, more lead-up to some of the payoff that is to come. It's fairly normal to keep a debut a condensed thought, but I would have enjoyed some expansion.
Still, if you like contemporary literature and want a taste of two layers of Canada, I'd highly recommend Wonder World.
July 16, 2023
I had a really great time reading Wonder World. I think I found the story really engaging because of the stage of life that I’m in. It almost feels like I found this book at just the right time. There’s a realness around the attitude that Isaac has towards returning home and around his perception of his family’s attitudes toward him, informed by the traumatic events that took place in his childhood, that I think is easy to relate to as a queer person. Not to mention the idolization of the memory of the person who was able to soothe those tensions in your youth and coming to grips with the loss of them, and if time squandered not with them.
A key takeaway that I had from this book is that if you don’t show people who you are then they won’t feel vulnerable enough to share who they are, and as a result you may miss out on a lot of connective potential with other people. This came to me in Isaac’s discovery of the triple L’s at the Rouge.
Accessible, real, and interesting writing on a topic that is not only topical but important for those who can relate. Great read.
A key takeaway that I had from this book is that if you don’t show people who you are then they won’t feel vulnerable enough to share who they are, and as a result you may miss out on a lot of connective potential with other people. This came to me in Isaac’s discovery of the triple L’s at the Rouge.
Accessible, real, and interesting writing on a topic that is not only topical but important for those who can relate. Great read.
August 5, 2023
"Eventually, people always see through the polish to the pan you're hiding."
A story that relied heavily on description and characters, Wonder World is layered with harsh truths about sexuality, acceptance, family dynamic and how it's all wrapped up in religion.
Most of the time the details weighed on me, not necessarily burdensome, though certainly slowed my pace and made me more eager for the story itself. I admired the imagery, the emotion, and it's layers though did find some gaps. I would have loved a stronger conclusion with respect to Loreena, Isaac's mother, and some more closure with respect to Uncle Jake and Gina.
The ending seemed to come too quickly with too many aspects simply finalized.
This story seemed very real, raw and a love story / letter to his grandfather with just enough relatability to have me question how much of it was true.
A story that relied heavily on description and characters, Wonder World is layered with harsh truths about sexuality, acceptance, family dynamic and how it's all wrapped up in religion.
Most of the time the details weighed on me, not necessarily burdensome, though certainly slowed my pace and made me more eager for the story itself. I admired the imagery, the emotion, and it's layers though did find some gaps. I would have loved a stronger conclusion with respect to Loreena, Isaac's mother, and some more closure with respect to Uncle Jake and Gina.
The ending seemed to come too quickly with too many aspects simply finalized.
This story seemed very real, raw and a love story / letter to his grandfather with just enough relatability to have me question how much of it was true.
May 2, 2024
You know what? I liked this sweet little novel even more than I expected to. Wonder World is about Isaac who returns home to Newfield, Manitoba on the passing of his grandfather. It’s not exactly a happy homecoming. He hasn’t spoken to his family in 10 years. Being queer has always made him feel that Newfield is not his home and his relationship with his dad has never been easy. His mom left when he was young and he couldn’t wait to escape as well. But when he gets home, things are not always as they seem, and he reconnects with his family and decides to make his own place. Nobody else gets to decide who belongs somewhere. For us in Nova Scotia there is a little bit of Halifax in there and the author lives here so nice to support local!
December 23, 2022
I loved this book! The exploration of a young queer man returning to his rural hometown in Western Canada for his grandfather’s funeral hits all the sweet spots of: the self-discovery and growth we experience in our early 20s, the complexity of family and their expectations, and the joy in creating your own family/ community. As a mother of a young queer man, it reminded me that what my son needs most is my unconditional love and the knowledge that he can always come home. Highly recommend!
March 5, 2023
Wonder World by K.R.Byggdin is just a Wonder-ful debut novel. The fact that it takes place in Winnipeg, Manitoba and it’s surrounding prairie communities, just adds to its appeal. Miriam Toews would love this story of queer culture and the Mennonites, on the prairies.
I can totally see why it was the Winnipeg Free Press book club pick for February. So much to discuss. And, not surprisingly, I found it at McNally Robinson, the best Indie bookstore, in Winnipeg.
I can totally see why it was the Winnipeg Free Press book club pick for February. So much to discuss. And, not surprisingly, I found it at McNally Robinson, the best Indie bookstore, in Winnipeg.
July 11, 2022
I enjoy novel with lovable losers as protagonists, and that's how I'd describe Wonder World's Isaac Funk. He's lost, all right, but—due to circumstances beyond his control—he winds up looking to fit in back home after a long stint away. K.R. Byggdin's characters will by turns charm readers and challenge stereotypes about small towns and those who call them home. Two thumbs up for this debut!
December 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this sort of coming of age story. It was weird hearing about the intersection between being a Manitoban Mennonite and being queer but it was really interesting to read about the experiences that come with that. The ending was a little bit too cheesy and unrealistic but at the same time, it’s always good to hear a gay story end in joy instead of tragedy.
October 10, 2024
Saw this author at Word on the Street Toronto, where they were funny and entertaining, while addressing difficult topics. This book is the same. Story of a young Mennonite man returning home after 10 years of exile is an easy read, light and humerous given the topic. Story wrapped up too neatly to really feel real, but it was a fun journey.
August 29, 2022
Growing up in a Mennonite community as a Pastor's Kid, Isaac Funk left his conservative hometown in Manitoba after coming out as a queer person years ago. An unexpected phone call and inheritance bring him back, leaving him to figure out if it's time to stay or run again.
December 2, 2022
Well that was absolutely horrible , no storyline what so ever pretty much all of it is about family uh a couple ends not solves in my opinion not my cup a tea if you were looking for a educational book on religion and queerness then it would be good but not what I was expecting I'm disappointed.
January 1, 2023
Had to keep reminding myself this was not a memoir, it reads like a recollection of very believable, relatable lives lived. Likely because it’s set in areas of Canada familiar to me! Quick read, would love a sequel!
February 4, 2023
Who has two thumbs, is Mennonite and laughed at loud at this wonderful story? This gal ! I loved all the southern Manitoba references, all the delicious food, and Isaac’s Opa! This book is a treasure.
April 5, 2023
A little queerness on the prairies. Loved this. The intersection of queer/menno/prairie life gives me a lot to resonate with. Considering the context, this could have been a depressing book, but Issac, our protagonist keeps things light and sassy and heartwarming.
July 11, 2022
This book is a thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish. KR writes characters and setting so brilliantly and humorously in their account of finding queer belonging on the Canadian prairies.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews