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MacLean
In this little gem of a novel, author Allan Donaldson depicts the tragedy of a human life oppressed by the residual nightmare of war, as well as the limitations of small-town life in New Brunswick in the mid-1900s. Maclean portrays the life of an alcoholic veteran of World War One, as outlined within a single day in the late summer of 1943. Protagonist John Maclean’s seemingly prosaic search to find his mother a birthday present illustrates his struggle with the obstacles created by war and poverty, themes which plague even his small town in mid-northern New Brunswick. Though the novel’s events appear ordinary, Maclean’s struggle to find work and booze is deepened by a turbulent under story of memory, nostalgia, and loss, as well as the stark impressions of empty fear and senselessness provoked by war. As Maclean clearly illustrates, nothing comes cheaply, be it a birthday present or peace on the world stage, and it is usually the rejects of society who are sacrificed to pay the price for others. Through the use of appropriately sparse, clear prose, the reader is drawn into the perspective of a man that society would usually sooner overlook. The tension and empathy of this point of view makes Maclean a challenging and ultimately fulfilling experience for the reader.
- GenresHistorical FictionCanada
162 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 25, 2014
This is a very short but powerful book which should be read in one sitting to appreciate its full impact.
John Maclean is a World War I veteran who is still being chased by his demons after being discharged with heart and lung damage, a result of being gassed in the conflict. The book follows him one day in 1943 as he wanders around the small New Brunswick mill town where he lives in a cramped and stuffy boarding house. He awakes, hungry for the taste and relief booze will give him, but he has only a few coins in his pocket and he wants to buy his aging mother a birthday gift. He spends a few hours grooming a couple of horses in his cousin’s stable in town and has enough money now for a cheap bottle of sherry and her gift. Going back to his room, he hides half the money in a dresser and then starts out to find some friends to share a drink and shoot the breeze. His friends are few, he knows them well and they are wary of his approach, cautious he might be leaning on them for money. When things are settled, they retire to a favoured drinking spot down by the river to share the five bottles they have put their pennies, nickels and dimes together to purchase. Here, they drift into old conversations about the war and their experiences in battle, but they are soon interrupted by Willy and his friend Tedley who are desperate for a drink as well. A bloody fight ensues as they battle for the remaining bottle until Willy and his friend are finally sent on their way.
Maclean starts back to the boarding house but stops to visit his sister Alice on the way. She at least has a home and family and although they shared a loving relationship when they were younger, she has less time and energy for him now. During the visit, Maclean reminisces about old times and Alice loses patience with him so he leaves once more for home where he discovers that someone has stolen his hidden cash. So he is off to borrow more cash to buy his mother’s gift. After experiencing the embarrassment of begging from his friends, he finally leaves his silver watch, a cherished war souvenir, at the pawn shop and delivers his birthday gift to his mother in the nursing home. The day closes as he once more joins friends to drink bootleg rum, talk about old times and eventually he crawls home.
Maclean is a sad and lonely character who can hardly make it through each day. And it is no wonder. He is haunted by continuing dreams of battle, the scarred countryside of France, the filthy trenches, blood, guts and bloody limbs flying through the air and evil wicked men who shoot each other in cold blood. He is also haunted by an abusive childhood, a nasty bible thumping father and a passive mother who stood by and let it all happen. And then his mind constantly drifts to all the missed opportunities in his life: his schooling stopped short, women he should have paired up with, jobs he should have tried harder to keep. And there are also the constant stares and mutterings of the town people who avoid him at all costs, somewhat fearful of him, turning despairing glances at him and muttering under their breaths.
This is a sad tale of a man trying to carve out a meaningful life despite poverty, addiction and the experience of war. It seems impossible.
The prose is simple and direct, drawing you into Maclean’s world from the first page. The wartime hallucinations appear abruptly, just as they do to John, coming out of nowhere with no apparent warning. His past will never leave him.
A quiet accomplishment for this debut novelist.
A difficult but definitely worthwhile read.
John Maclean is a World War I veteran who is still being chased by his demons after being discharged with heart and lung damage, a result of being gassed in the conflict. The book follows him one day in 1943 as he wanders around the small New Brunswick mill town where he lives in a cramped and stuffy boarding house. He awakes, hungry for the taste and relief booze will give him, but he has only a few coins in his pocket and he wants to buy his aging mother a birthday gift. He spends a few hours grooming a couple of horses in his cousin’s stable in town and has enough money now for a cheap bottle of sherry and her gift. Going back to his room, he hides half the money in a dresser and then starts out to find some friends to share a drink and shoot the breeze. His friends are few, he knows them well and they are wary of his approach, cautious he might be leaning on them for money. When things are settled, they retire to a favoured drinking spot down by the river to share the five bottles they have put their pennies, nickels and dimes together to purchase. Here, they drift into old conversations about the war and their experiences in battle, but they are soon interrupted by Willy and his friend Tedley who are desperate for a drink as well. A bloody fight ensues as they battle for the remaining bottle until Willy and his friend are finally sent on their way.
Maclean starts back to the boarding house but stops to visit his sister Alice on the way. She at least has a home and family and although they shared a loving relationship when they were younger, she has less time and energy for him now. During the visit, Maclean reminisces about old times and Alice loses patience with him so he leaves once more for home where he discovers that someone has stolen his hidden cash. So he is off to borrow more cash to buy his mother’s gift. After experiencing the embarrassment of begging from his friends, he finally leaves his silver watch, a cherished war souvenir, at the pawn shop and delivers his birthday gift to his mother in the nursing home. The day closes as he once more joins friends to drink bootleg rum, talk about old times and eventually he crawls home.
Maclean is a sad and lonely character who can hardly make it through each day. And it is no wonder. He is haunted by continuing dreams of battle, the scarred countryside of France, the filthy trenches, blood, guts and bloody limbs flying through the air and evil wicked men who shoot each other in cold blood. He is also haunted by an abusive childhood, a nasty bible thumping father and a passive mother who stood by and let it all happen. And then his mind constantly drifts to all the missed opportunities in his life: his schooling stopped short, women he should have paired up with, jobs he should have tried harder to keep. And there are also the constant stares and mutterings of the town people who avoid him at all costs, somewhat fearful of him, turning despairing glances at him and muttering under their breaths.
This is a sad tale of a man trying to carve out a meaningful life despite poverty, addiction and the experience of war. It seems impossible.
The prose is simple and direct, drawing you into Maclean’s world from the first page. The wartime hallucinations appear abruptly, just as they do to John, coming out of nowhere with no apparent warning. His past will never leave him.
A quiet accomplishment for this debut novelist.
A difficult but definitely worthwhile read.
June 27, 2012
I don’t regret reading this book; overall, it was a good read as it delves into the mind of someone who has done much for our country by participating in the Great War overseas. Growing up with an alcoholic war veteran allowed me to see Maclean like others may not. Although he brought this world to his doorstep, I did feel sorry for him yet I could not offer excuses for his behaviour. He did what he did and life happened to him because of his inability to take control of his addiction.
To read the full review, visit my blog: http://dianetibert.com/2012/06/27/boo...
To read the full review, visit my blog: http://dianetibert.com/2012/06/27/boo...
March 7, 2015
This is a short powerful book about the effects of brutal war (WWI). A day in the life of the main character some 20 years later in 1943 - another war in progress.... flashbacks of war, his unhappy upbringing, could have / would have moments. Sad and disturbing. PTSD alive and well back in the day - a lone struggle. Solitary and well meaning but failed and struggling - that is the picture this story painted for me.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews