- Paperback: 470 pages
- Publisher: McArthur & Co; 1st Published edition (July 31 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1552783758
- ISBN-13: 978-1552783757
- Product Dimensions: 22.6 x 13.7 x 4.1 cm
- Shipping Weight: 408 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,104,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Presented as a manuscript discovered by the author in the attic of her country house in the North of England, this meticulously crafted, self-reflexive historical novel tells the story of Mark Greenhow, whose Quaker family once owned the house. In 1811, Mark's younger sister, Rachel, while doing missionary work in Canada, met and married Adam Mackenzie, a Scot associated with the fur trade in North America. Because the marriage was outside the order, Rachael was disowned; subsequently, she lost her baby and mysteriously disappeared into the wilds of what is today northern Michigan. Determined to discover his sister's fate, Mark departs for Canada, where he spends nearly two years sorely testing his Quaker faith through episodes that reveal to him the wider world beyond his placid English countryside. In the meantime, the War of 1812 rages and Mark tries to avoid the kinds of "vain" entanglements that would contradict his beliefs. The inclusion of Mark's own footnotes, lengthy discourses and commentary on his adventures and their aftermath lessens the story's suspense. The novel's interest lies in Mark's struggle to reconcile his faith with the verities and practicalities of the "real world" and in Elphinstone's mastery of early 19th-century argot.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Set largely in the wilds of the U.S.-Canadian border on the eve of the War of 1812, this novel celebrates persistence, integrity, and bonds between cultures. Mark Greenhow leaves home in England at the age of 23 to search for his younger sister, Rachel, who (with her aunt) took her Quaker ministry to Canada, was disowned by her faith for marrying outside it, and vanished while grieving for her stillborn son. After a voyage of many months, Mark finds Rachel's husband, fur trader Alan Mackenzie, and with French-Indian voyageur Loic they return to the Indian-inhabited island where Rachel disappeared to search for her. Mark's religion of peace proves ultimately beneficial, even as the extent to which the politics of war play a role in events is gradually revealed. The story is presented as Mark's journal as rewritten by him 27 years later, a structure that is initially confusing, with footnotes added in the rewriting that impede the flow of the narrative. Still, beyond its opening chapters, this adventure becomes more involving, avoiding predictability to reach a satisfying conclusion. Michele Leber
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most helpful customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Bad,
By Linda M (Quebec) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Voyageurs (Paperback)
I did enjoy the book and found it interesting, however, was disappointed in the lack of information regarding the Voyageurs and how they lived. The book did have some insight as to their stamina, but I was looking for more. It gave more information on the Quakers and how they lived in the new world, so I think the book title is a little mis-leading.
5.0 out of 5 stars
awesome read,
By
This review is from: Voyageurs (Paperback)
The sign of a good read is one that leaves you wishing for more, and at 466 pages that's saying alot. As you are reading page after page, you know it's a great book, but the real telling is when it's over and you close the cover, sit back and think "that... was a GREAT book". Enough said, go get a copy
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brother's Love or Quakers aren't wimps,
By Scott N. Mcleod (Deep in the Heart of Zorra Township, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Voyageurs (Paperback)
In a magazine some actor whose name I can't remember or spell raved about this book. It deals with Mark Greenhow and a letter that arrives from Canada to his home in England. It is about his missionary sister Rachel whom has married out of the Quaker order, has lost a baby, and has wandered off by herself on a small island on Lake Huron. Red eyed and shaken Mark's parent's want to know what happened and who is this man who wrote the letter, who now says that he tried to search for Rachel but had to return to his post at the North West Company.The discriptions and research in this book are bang on, right down to the fact that it is improper to tell stories around the camp fire in summer about Nanubushu - the great Indian spirit or Manitou.My favourite parts are when Mark is on the boat coming over to Canada the year is 1810 and he is wet and cold huddled under his blanket when he throws it off to holler over the side of the boat at his sister Rachel as to why and yet again she drags him into her bad news. Mark gets to learn how to paddle in a Voyageurs canoe and get used to the traders and trappers. There are footnotes at the bottom of some of the pages explaining certain things that went on and at times you have to remind yourself that this story is fiction. Canada is gearing up for war with the States and as Quakers it is hard to pass up arms when eveyone around you isn't. As they (Quakers) have vowed never to bear arms against any man this proves difficult to explain to the average gun carrying Joe.Mark is a believable character and one I'll miss till I read the book again.Yes, Mark meets the man - Rachel's husband but at times Mark is having such an adventure that you forget why he came to Canada in the first place. As to the rest well order it from Amazon and find out you won't be disappointed.
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