Return to Solitude: More Desolation Sound Adventures with the Cougar Lady, Russell the Hermit, the Spaghetti Bandit and Others

by Grant Lawrence

It’s been over a decade since renowned broadcaster and indie rock musician Grant Lawrence launched his writing career with the award-winning Adventures in Solitude, yet some things never change—including the winding Sunshine Coast Highway, close calls at the BC Ferries ticket office and carsick children. But this time, Lawrence returns as a husband and father, not as the vomiting and nerdy kid dragged along by his athletic and unflappable parents.

In his inimitable, high-voltage style Lawrence interweaves the rich and harrowing history of the Desolation Sound area with his own experiences of life on the coast. This lively book recounts the life and times of the legendary Cougar Lady, tracks a phantom-like squatter known as the Spaghetti Bandit, and details the bizarre exit and even more bizarre death of Bernard the German. Here too are many of the beloved personalities introduced in Lawrence’s first book, including hippie recluse Russell the Hermit, plus the continued voyages of Big Buck$, the decrepit family boat and the incredible return of large ocean mammals to Desolation Sound.

From a hilarious, heartfelt and slightly wiser voice comes a momentous story of time, family and place whirling around one increasingly ramshackle cabin on a beautiful and not-at-all-desolate coast.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Canada, History

256 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2022

Reviews

[George Ilsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not familiar with this author's previous book (mentioned several times in this one) or his gig with the CBC or his band.

The strongest elements of this work are journalistic, when Lawrence details the lives of other characters. The weakest elements are when he talks about himself.

His first book was called "Adventures in Solitude" and that is perhaps why "Solitude" appears in this title; unfortunately, the content works against the title — the author is rarely if ever alone (if that indeed is the measure of solitude).

The book ends with several pages of recommended reading, recommended listening, and thank yous.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the precursor to this book, Adventures in Solitude, written when Lawrence was on the cusp of marriage and the cusp of 40, but I much prefer this newest effort which seems to reflect the author's continued growth and maturity. I guess also, most of the book was not so much about the author himself, but rather the real life characters he became fascinated with, and I found these folks to be very compelling subjects indeed. The writing about these people is well-researched, well-told, and done with sensitivity, reflection, and thoughtfulness. I also appreciated that First Nations places and cultures were mentioned throughout the stories.

I am planning a backpack trip on the Sunshine Coast Trail later this summer, and Lawrence's tales will surely be going through my mind as I make the two ferry journey, the trip on a rough 4x4 road, and a walk along the beautiful trail

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always wanted to go up the Inside Passage and visit places like Desolation Sound. For now, I’ll happily read Grant Lawrence’s memoirs/histories of that place. What a privilege it would be to have a home there.
I loved the format of this book: more comprehensive information about some of the characters from the first book, Adventures in Solitude, more rumination about life. What a lovely book for a dark cold winter weekend.

[Darcie Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to visit beautiful Desolation Sound a few years ago. In this book I very much enjoyed meeting the real-life characters who have lived in this area.

[Devon aka heartandintellect · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m one of the lucky ones who grew up with foggy island mornings and trees so thick you can’t wrap your arms around them. The smell of forest after the rain. A slight fear of ticks. Watching the sunset at the shore and then scraping your knees climbing up the rocks from the beach in dark. Falling asleep to the smell of campfire on your clothes, on bunk beds made of driftwood. Packing your bathing suit and your rain boots because a west coast summer could require either - or more likely, both. ☀️

[Vontel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I made a point to try to re-read his first book before starting on this one, since it had been several years since I had read it. That's not really necessary, and I ultimately didn't finish the re-read, because I was running out of time to read this later book. The book is part memoir, and part a partial history of Desolation Sound and of his father's development of an area of cabins. This book recaps a number of the crucial stories from the first book of the beginnings of the area and of Lawrence's experiences then. It then moves on to these experiences mediated with the eyes of his wife & two children in Desolation Sound experiences. He also includes updates on any new information he has found about some of the historical figures & development of the area and some key players (including 'thorns in the side' types), particularly of the 70's & onward.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a sequel to his book "Adventures in Solitude", the author describes and tells the stories of the people of Desolation Sound and his own life at the cottage in this fairly remote, water access only coastline in British Columbia. This book gets bonus points for being relatable since I a kayaked and camped in this beautiful area. Most points were awarded because our own family has had a water front cabin in the Gulf Islands of BC and can appreciate the highlights and struggles in living part time in this special place. I found the stories to be entertaining and interesting and may re-read the first book to re-live the stories as it has been a while.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The prequel to this book was one of the best books I read last year so I was pretty excited when it came in at the library. Sadly, this one didn’t have the same magic as the first book. Return to Solitude delves more into the history of the people that the stories of the first book revolve around. Interesting concept and some parts were indeed quite interesting but overall I found myself not really caring too much about the history of these people but rather the stories that surrounded them and that’s why I much preferred the first book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

No need to re-read the first book. This one once again makes you feel like you are right in Desolation sound yourself and if you look up, might see a glimpse of yellow kayak making a getaway. I loved re-visiting some larger than life characters and finding out more about their fascinating lives. The author weaves the tales, as well as some of his own seamlessly into this fabulous yarn.
Total Canadiana read!

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grant Lawrence tells the stories of the many characters and adventures of the Lund, BC and Desolation Sound area in such a delightfully conversational style. It's clear that his open, trusting and curious nature gives him a unique opportunity to draw these stories out of some very unusual characters. Easy read and entertaining.

[David Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these stories and the writing made it very interesting.
Having been to Port Renfrew and Lund in the past it was really easy to relate to this beautiful part of the world.
I will seek out other books by this author based upon his writing skills and this interesting part of the world.

[K Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to have a fabulous vacation on the Sunshine Coast as well as Vancouver Island this year. Having seen these wondrous landscapes so acutely described, this book provided the ideal way to better understand the people who choose to inhabit this wild back-country.

[Sharon Summerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Such a great read building on Adventures in Solitude. Being in BC, the author has captured the beautiful of enjoying a remote cabin and all the personalities that come with it. You will laugh. You will cry.

[Emma Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as captivating as Adventures in Solitude, but still a good local read. Plus, signed copy!

[Fawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, well written and highly recommended. Enjoyable stories. Colourful characters from a very pretty region. Loved it.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent continuation of the characters of Desolation Sound.

[Jane]

Enjoyable. Cited most stories from precious book, but interesting just the same. Short stories , convenient before bedtime.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

“There’s always something to see”

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun, quick, easy read.
All the more meaningful if you've been to Desolation Sound and can connect with some of the beautiful places and unique local culture he writes about!

[Clivemichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paints some great visuals, entertaining and engaging visit to a special location.

[Krisztina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable summer read about local history around Desolation Sound

[Liz Kalt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how he mixes the lives of his own family with the lives of interesting dwellers of desolation sound. Well written and funny

[Judy Budd wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. It reminded me of my time at the cottage.

[Elise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like Grant Lawrence and find it painful to give this review, but this book wasn’t great. Kind of a loose collection of unrelated anecdotes.

[Barbara Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of Grants books that did not disappoint. Loved every story and made me feel like I was right with everyone on the adventures. While this book can be a stand alone read, have to say, that by reading the first books in order, the stories really do have more meaning to me. Look forward to his next book, pod cast and newsletters.

[Alyssa Lockhart · Rating 2 out of 5]

So there is a beautiful, interesting, difficult place called Desolation Sound and, like everywhere, there are oddball traditions, wacky neighbors & local legends.  So what does a local legend reveal about the locale? Can you *get it* if you're not from there?

This bit of BC is pretty far out; people have been seeking its solitude for a long time and it's a reminder of how eccentric people (maybe with untreated mental illness) have been labeled crazy, tolerated, and largely left to their own devices. Back in our day, we tell each other, we used to shrug off outlandish behaviour. (Was it merely eccentric to point a rifle at a 10 year old boy in 1982? Asking for a reader)

Some local legends wear out their welcome for sure. The most emotional engaged bio -- of the so-called hermit -- sits uncomfortably. This rangy philosopher-hippie who manipulates the people around him seems kind of like a loudmouth jerk. Lawrence wistfully acknowledges he's problematic but doesn't examine their relationship too closely.

Young teenage Lawrence was enthralled by this magic, bearded weirdo, perhaps in contrast to his own buttoned-down, all-business father who literally created the sound as a canny real estate development.  And there are other wild characters who come to the area to find themselves, and lose themselves, and there is our hero, mildly apologetic, with his legacy cottage falling down among his ears, haplessly lacking his father's efficacy or competence to do much beyond note the interesting people around him.

But *are* they that interesting? Trying to separate the stories from the nostalgia leaves us with kind of sad, narcissistic, toxic people. Maybe only someone from the West Coast can fill in the emotional gaps with their own wistful vibes.

Note: There is one story of a contemporary interloper: the "spaghetti bandit," and Lawrence is considerably less bemused by *his* antics. This is True Crime Anxiety Time. The legends have vanished into the mists, the spaghetti bandit is on the loose, and the locals are UPSET. They are calling cops and feeling unsettled in their mossy haven. No one's shrugging The Spaghetti Bandit off (despite the goofy name).

Desolation Sound seems like a lucky place to be, regardless. Lawrence's gratitude comes through for the cottage and the stories; he's made them both his own.

[Mary]

Interesting. 3 1/2