- Paperback: 1 pages
- Publisher: Cormorant Books; First Edition, edition (Feb 24 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1896951120
- ISBN-13: 978-1896951126
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 16.4 x 1.9 cm
- Shipping Weight: 349 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #484,744 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Don't be fooled by the title. Before the Flood, Alan R. Wilson's first novel, is not antediluvian in the biblical sense, and it does not labour under the high seriousness that most Canadian novels with vaguely scriptural titles seem to be encumbered with. Before the Flood is a spry, humorous, sometimes slightly melancholy coming-of-age story set in a tiny inland town in New Brunswick. Wilson's hero, Samuel MacFarlane, is a relatively ordinary teenager who does relatively ordinary teenage things--passing time with his ill-sorted selection of friends being the most prominent of them. Together, they play Halloween pranks with the aid of explosives, leer at girls, squabble among themselves, plan for the future, and attempt to grow their hair (against their parents' wishes, of course). But Samuel's town, Woodstock, is threatened by the construction of a hydroelectric dam that will flood the heart of the tiny community. Many of the local residents, firm believers in progress, don't seem to care, but Samuel does, and his early years are indelibly coloured by an awareness of what he is about to lose.
This is a quick-moving, good-natured novel, and Wilson's penchant for nostalgia is mitigated by his attention to the social miseries of adolescence. Before the Flood isn't grisly in its realism--Wilson's story is a little sanitized--but, with its sensitive examination of the role of place and community in a boy's formative years, it is a worthy read. --Jack Illingworth
Book Description
Winner of the 1999 Chapters/Books In Canada First Novel Award.
Before the Flood takes place in a time when satellite malls didn't hide the horizon, when the best hockey players were found on six teams, when towns were as individual as people. Forty miles to the south, construction is about to begin on a massive dam which will alter the region forever.
Before the Flood takes place in a time when satellite malls didn't hide the horizon, when the best hockey players were found on six teams, when towns were as individual as people. Forty miles to the south, construction is about to begin on a massive dam which will alter the region forever.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memorable - read it!,
By
This review is from: Before the Flood (Paperback)
This novel won the best first novel in Canada award, and I can see why. It's an alluring exploration of loss, love, and and small-town life where the long reach of memory is ever present. The characters are vividly drawn and have stayed with me since.
4.0 out of 5 stars
excellent,
By Candace (New Brunswick, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Before the Flood (Paperback)
I first had this book read to me in class, in pre-published format by my junior high teacher who is also the author's brother. We all loved it, it sparked discussions and laughs, it pulls you in and you genuinely care about the characters, and are excited to see what happens next. Four years later while browsing the book store i saw it on the shelf and bought it immediately. On reading it the second time now more mature, i see even more of what makes this book so great. A story centred on a boy in a small town, daring to be different and trying to figure out where life is really going. many books try to tackle this and it all ends up sounding the same. Before the Flood breathes something different into that "small town" with lives and characters that will make you smile, make you sad, and get you thinking. Definately a book to pick up.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews) 6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
excellent,
By Candace - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Before the Flood (Paperback)
I first had this book read to me in class, in pre-published format by my junior high teacher who is also the author's brother. We all loved it, it sparked discussions and laughs, it pulls you in and you genuinely care about the characters, and are excited to see what happens next. Four years later while browsing the book store i saw it on the shelf and bought it immediately. On reading it the second time now more mature, i see even more of what makes this book so great. A story centred on a boy in a small town, daring to be different and trying to figure out where life is really going. many books try to tackle this and it all ends up sounding the same. Before the Flood breathes something different into that "small town" with lives and characters that will make you smile, make you sad, and get you thinking. Definately a book to pick up.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memorable!,
By C. Walker - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Before the Flood (Paperback)
This novel won the best first novel in Canada award, and I can see why. It's an alluring exploration of loss, love, and and small-town life where the long reach of memory is ever present. The characters are vividly drawn and have stayed with me since.
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