New Canadian Library and other Canadian Lit Challenge discussion

I have read this book before and am looking forward to reading it again with our group.

Mine is on it's way through the library system

I have read Chapter 1. It describes the author's first journey to the schoolhouse to be with his wife and daughter for the weekend. His method of transportation- horse and buggy. Distance 34 miles over roads, back roads and trails.
He must have had a good memory and a good sense of direction, because part of the journey was completed in darkness. Fortunately, the conditions for this first journey were ideal- good weather.

The author's second trip is in dense fog-so dense he can't see where he is going and has to rely on the feel of the road and on the horses' instinct. Even so, he is fascinated by the appearance and origin of the fog and keeps a cool head.
Do you think he should have turned back? Why do you think he didn't?
What do we learn about his health?

The third trip, Dawn and Diamonds, is a lyrical description of a beautiful winter's day. It describes his journey to visit his family for Christmas.

The fourth trip is called Snow. It was an incredibly tough journey this time. The author spent a little too much time describing the different snow formations, so this chapter tended to drag a bit.
My husband, my parents and I had a harrowing car journey one Christmas when we were going to visit my in-laws. The snow was blowing across the road on the highway, in the country, and we were crawling along and fortunately arrived safely. That was the last time we made that journey in the winter. It was not fun.

The fifth trip shows the endurance and determination the author uses to get home from the visit to his family in order not to miss work. The meticulous details and his knowledge of snow came in handy in this chapter of another winter drive. His horses were strong and determined as well.

The sixth trip is a hurried journey to his wife and child, fortunately in good winter conditions. You can sense the anxiety the author feels when he hears that is daughter is ill. The author also shows his awareness of and love of nature living creatures in this chapter.

I finished the book.

In what ways does the author show bravery, foolishness, and most of all his love and devotion to his wife and daughter?

Still waiting for my copy from the library.

It is not a long book, but eminently suitable to reading in the winter time, since most of his trips were during that season.

Not being able to obtain a book Over Prairie TrailsI decided instead to read The Lost Salt Gift of Blood
Some of the stories I had read before in another collection but still I enjoyed re-reading them. Of the ones new to me, each one I enjoyed, both the story and the quality of the writing.
MacLeod has a keen eye for the everyday things of Maritime Canada, and the people and complexities that bind them. My especial favourite was The Boat.

I read No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod a couple of years ago. I really like the way he writes. It is deceptively simple.

Rosemarie wrote: "I read No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod a couple of years ago. I really like the way he writes. It is deceptively simple."

Yes, I think because he writes about everyday things but at the same time unveils what often is hidden or overlooked in the hearts of the people.

Part of No Great Mischief was set in parts of Ontario and Toronto that I know, so it helped me visualize the scenes he was describing.

Better late than never!
I finally finished today

Way to go Joseph.

Joseph wrote: "Better late than never!
I finally finished today"

Great. What did you think of it?

I really liked it.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the winter landscape scenery as he traveled.
You could almost visualize what he was seeing.

Joseph wrote: "I really liked it.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the winter landscape scenery as he traveled.
You could almost visualize what he was seeing."

The winter scenes were my favourite parts too. Even though some of the weather he encountered was very extreme, he made the effirt to get home to his family.

In case anyone else in interested in reading this book, you will be glad to know that it is available free online at gutenberg.org.

Joseph wrote: "Better late than never!
I finally finished today"

Great Joseph. I liked your review above of it.

Thanks!

I've been thinking about making this an annual read during each winter.

You can read it while sitting inside a nice cozy house or apartment, Joseph.

Joseph wrote: "I've been thinking about making this an annual read during each winter."

I also like reading well written stories about winter during winter months. I know a lot of people like reading sunny warm things then but I like the magic that winter can hold and the sense of comfort reading wrapped up warm inside brings.

Since it is almost November, I plan on re-reading Over Prairie Trails.

It's a great winter read!

I hope to re-read this soon.

Lately we've gotten a lot of snow so it seems the right time to re-read Over Prairie Trails .