The Highland Heart in Nova Scotia

by Neil MacNeil

A new edition celebrates 50 years of a remarkable Cape Breton classic. A wonderful, exuberant, rich, overstated and humble piece of writing, which tries to tell us of the peace and invincibility and raw humour of Celtic Cape Breton.

Genres: Canada

198 pages

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

Neil MacNeil is a Scottish poet.

Reviews

[Margaret Pinard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A product of its earnest, politically incorrect-at-times, era of the 1950s, I nevertheless enjoyed this book immensely. The author divides topics into chapters that make sense, e.g. religion, making a living, travel, morality, growing up as a kid, etc. There are plenty of examples of his own childhood experiences and stories told him by others to give a real sense of the time and place of Washabuckt, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, in the 1890s. I don't think it gets too romanticized either, although there are a lot of "these simple, innocent people" moments. But that's okay by me- makes me want to own the book to escape to that time!

[Marnie Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and very amusing description of the community of Washabuck