New Canadian Library and other Canadian Lit Challenge discussion

I have not chosen any titles, but the books will come mostly from books I already own. My silver challenge will begin in August.

Rosemarie wrote: "I have not chosen any titles, but the books will come mostly from books I already own. My silver challenge will begin in August."

I also have chosen books off my shelf as I got a lot of ncl books at discount from bookoutlet.ca

1. The Invention of the World by Jack Hodgins

2. Each Man's Son by Hugh MacLennan

This book is about life in a mining village in pre World War 1 Cape Breton. The description of the novel given on the back of the edition I was reading led me to believe that the book centred on the broken down prize-fighter Archie. He plays a pivotal role in the book, but the main character is the idealistic and hard working doctor Daniel Ainslie. This is not a cheerful book but it is a worthwhile read. The author has created a very intense story about the importance of family and parental love.

3. The Betrayal by Henry Kreisel

The narrator of this book is a young history professor at the University of Alberta. It is set in the years following World War 2. Through one of his young students, Katherine Held, he meets Theodore Stappler, a young Austrian man whose mother was betrayed by Katherine's father, Joseph Held.
But everything is not as simple as it seems, for both Joseph and Theodore are suffering guilt and remorse for their actions.
This book deals with this complex topic in a moving and non-judgemental way.
For those who don't speak German, the word Held means hero.

Rosemarie wrote: "3. The Betrayal by Henry Kreisel

The narrator of this book is a young history professor at the University of Alberta. It is set in the years following World War 2. T..."

I would love to read this one.

4. The Regiment by Farley Mowat

I learned a lot about the Italian campaign and the difficulties faced by the soldiers in this book, our November book of the month.

5. The Cruelest Month by Ernest Buckler

This book was a real disappointment. The author's goal was to write a sophisticated book, but he ended up with a wordy book with too much description using an overblown vocabulary. There was much too much description and analysis of the five main characters and not nearly enough of what Buckler does best- his luminous descriptions of nature.
The ending redeemed the book somewhat, but reading the wordy passages was trying at times. It seemed like the author was stretching for exotic metaphors and a sophisticated vocabulary.
It fell flat.

Rosemarie wrote: "5. The Cruelest Month by Ernest Buckler

This book was a real disappointment. The author's goal was to write a sophisticated book, but he ended up with a wordy book w..."

That's sad as The Mountain and the Valley was so good.

Books read since August 2017, the beginning of Year 2 of my challenge.

1.The Invention of the World
2.Each Man's Son
3. The Betrayal
4. The Regiment (our group read)
5. The Cruelest Month
6. Crackpot
7. In the Village of Viger

Book 6 - January 2018

Crackpot by Adele Wiseman

This is an earthy book about a young girl, Hoda, who does what she has to in order to make ends meet and look after her blind father.
Often she uses laughter to hide the pain inside, but the ending of the book is positive and hopeful.
The blurb on the back of the book actually does do the book justice.
"Graduating from a tumultuous childhood to a life of prostitution, she becomes a legend in her neighbourhood, a canny yet ingenuous woman, generous, intuitive, and exuding a wholesome lust for life."

Book 7 - February 2018

In the Village of Viger by Duncan Campbell Scott

This is a collection of beautifully written, deceptively simple short stories that describe the happenings in the fictional small town of Viger, Quebec.
The stories had various moods and themes, but the quality of the writing was excellent.

Rosemarie wrote: "Book 7 - February 2018

In the Village of Viger by Duncan Campbell Scott

This is a collection of beautifully written, deceptively simple short stories that describe..."

Sounds good. I will look out for it.

Unfortunately the library does not have a copy of the Rudy Wiebe book so I am going to read another of his books instead. I thought I had a copy but it was a different book.

Rosemarie wrote: "Unfortunately the library does not have a copy of the Rudy Wiebe book so I am going to read another of his books instead. I thought I had a copy but it was a different book."

Which other one are you reading? I can get most of his books and can change the nomination.

I have two books of his on my shelf, The Blue Mountains of China and River Of Stone. I don't know which one I will be reading yet.

Book 8 - March 2018

The Atonement Of Ashley Morden by Fred Bodsworth

This book is divided into three parts, each part dealing with the main character's interaction with three different individuals.
Part One, which deals with the early part of his life and wartime experiences was interesting. Part Two deals with his post war experiences as a student and then research scientist is bogged down with scientific detail.
Part three introduces a new set of characters and is generally more interesting than part 2.
It does have a good ending.

Book 9- April 2018

The Blue Mountains of China by Rudy Wiebe

This novel was a big disappointment. It featured multiple narrators, the theme being the Mennonite experience in the first two thirds of the 20th century in Russia, Canada and Paraguay.
The concept was impressive, but mosg of the characters lacked appeal and the style can only be described as heavy and earnest.
It could have been a great book, but didn't succeed.

Rosemarie wrote: "Book 9- April 2018

The Blue Mountains of China by Rudy Wiebe

This novel was a big disappointment. It featured multiple narrators, the theme being the Mennonite exper..."

I remembered that I had read this but was also disappointed in it and had forgotten about it.

Book 10 - May 2018

Swiss Sonata by Gwethalyn Graham

This is an interesting book set during three crucial days in a Swiss finishing school during the 1930s, after Hitler's rise to power and before the war. It deals with the emotions and experiences of the teachers and the students, centering around Vicky.
The ending lifted the book from 3 stars to 4 stars for me.
This book won a Governor General's Award in 1938.

Rosemarie wrote: "Book 10 - May 2018

Swiss Sonata by Gwethalyn Graham

This is an interesting book set during three crucial days in a Swiss finishing school during the 1930s, after Hi..."

Sounds like a good book. I will put it on my TBR list.

Book 11 - May 2018

Stranger Music: Selected Poems and Songs by Leonard Cohen

As a big fan of Leonard Cohen, I really enjoyed this book, which spans a large part of his writing career.

Book 12 - Brothers-in-Arms by Frederick Niven

This book takes place in the time before the outbreak of the Seven Years War, in what was then the colony of Virginia. The book is based on the manuscript written by an ancestor of the author. It has a feeling of authenticity and we see the young George Washington in a different light than in later years.

Looks like you have completed the challenge. Great work.

Thank you.