- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Acorn Books; 1st edition (Dec 1 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1894838343
- ISBN-13: 978-1894838344
- Product Dimensions: 22.8 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 431 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #334,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Book Description
When Luba Kassim reluctantly returns home to Northern Ontario, the strained relationship with her traditional Ukrainian mother only heightens her feelings of alienation and isolation. A family crisis reunites her extended family and reignites old rivalries and the pain of long-held family secrets. Slowly, Luba begins piecing together her family’s unspoken past, starting in the 1930s in Ukraine, followed by emigration to England and settlement in Canada. In the process, she uncovers some startling truths about her own identity, and learns that she and her mother have much more in common than she thinks.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
House of Bears is a Wonderful Achievement,
By
This review is from: House of Bears (Paperback)
House of Bears had me totally captivated--the memorable characters, the diverse settings in Canada and Europe, the interplay between time periods, and the unfolding drama of a young woman turning her life around. The central conflict between Luba and her mother turns out to be a rich source of memory and discovery for both characters--the various parallels between their lives are handled fluidly and well by the author, giving the book an effective narrative rhythm. Although there are some heart-breaking scenes from the second world war, this is not a gloomy novel. Dawydiak writes in the prologue to her book launch, "...while I was doing my retrospective research, I regained a deep admiration for the migrants who left their homes during wars and under oppression and settled in strange new countries. I felt a need to express my gratitude and was compelled to write their stories...." There is no pat, saccharine ending to this complex story, rather, an ending that feels authentic and hard-won through the risks taken by characters. Dawydiak's gratitude to and admiration for immigrants come through in this well-crafted, moving novel.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A thoroughly engaging story!,
By
This review is from: House of Bears (Paperback)
It doesn't take long to get involved and intrigued with the various and wonderfully developed characters in "House of Bears". The trials and tribulations of an extended family that consists of immigrant families and their 1st and 2nd generation offspring are both honestly and at times humourously portrayed, usually at the expense of Luba, the main character. The story takes an few unexpected turns that only pulls the reader in even further and like any great novel, you find yourself taking sides, intensely liking and disliking some characters, and always wanting to read "just one more page" before attempting to put the book down. And again, like any thoroughly enjoyable read, one is always sad when the book comes to an end. I highly recommend this book to anyone, of any background.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing first novel,
By
This review is from: House of Bears (Paperback)
What an amazing first novel! The House of Bears was very well written with characters so real, I could identify with them. I had trouble putting it down. The differences between generations within families that survived WW2 are reflected in my own family. Expectations on the children are derived from the baggage and secrets brought by the parents from the "old country". Canada has a wonderful culture of excellent authors and it is nice to see Orysia Dawydiak join them. The House of Bears should be on everyone's Canada Reads list!
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