Author: Tim Winton

Pat was about to give this book away but I hadn’t read it and he thought I might like it. So it came out of the box (along with another by the same author) and was added to my books-to-read collection.

The author is Australian and the book was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. I often find the Man Booker books are not to my liking but I gave this one a try. The writing is lovely, although there were some Australian terms that I wasn’t sure about. It was an interesting story and it wasn’t until the final pages that it all “came together”.

There are three main characters in the book, all of them somewhat damaged. Jim comes from a long line of fishermen and by the end of the book we see he is trying to outrun his family’s past. Lu is a musician who lost his brother, his brother’s wife, and their two children in a vehicle accident. The whole family are considered bad luck by the surrounding neighbours. Georgie has never maintained a long relationship, including one with her family; she is living with Jim and his two children when she meets Lu.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Author: Chris Bohjalian

This was on the list of books to wrap up for Kathryn’s birthday but when I thought a bit more about it I think it came to me from her.

The story centres around two women – Cassie and Elena. Cassie, the flight attendant, is an alcoholic and has random sexual encounters on her travels. After a flight to Dubai, Cassie wakes up in the bed of a dead man; she knows she slept with the man but she has no recollection of the murder. Elena is trailing Cassie in order to clean up a job her “people” believe she failed at.

I’m only giving the book a 3-star rating as I was disappointed in the ending. It was coming to an exciting conclusion but the ending left me confused and wanting the details.

Good Reads Rating: * * *

Author: Edmund Metatawabin

During a recent concert the performer, John Wort Hannom, mentioned this book in relation to a song he had written (Man of God). The library had a copy so I borrowed it.

The memoir is a shocking revelation of the abuses the author and others faced while in residential school. The book doesn’t go into great detail but you certainly get the message. It also outlines the problems our First Nations face under the Indian Act; a good insight into how the government continues to hold sway over their lives.

I don’t generally like a memoir that is written with dialogue; I find I have to keep reminding myself that the book is not a story. The messages in this one are important enough that I could overlook that.

If you aren’t inclined to read the book, please check out the song Man of God by John Wort Hannom.

Goodreads Rating: * * *