This was a very strange book for me. It was very whimsical in the fact that the author chose not to set it in a recognisable place or time, so that mostly it was distracting for the reader as they try to figure out where it was set or when it was set. The second thing that was peculiar was the author's science-fiction bit of mist and bees figuring in the characters' lives- or maybe it was fairy-tale like. In any case, this was a 'normal' story of families that don't get along and set apart by the mist and bees. Read it if you don't mind the fantastical details!
This book was very disappointing! Having read Pamuk's other works I settled on a couch to get into this 500+ page tome. I made it to page 312 before I realised that sadly this book was going to go nowhere. The main character is an insipid boring infatuated 30 year old who pines away for his 18 year old relative for 8 years. I wouldn't waste my time with this boring story.
If you can, then this book's not for you! Wil Furguson's book is a tongue-in-cheek preview of what to expect in each province. I guess this book would be more appreciated by current inhabitants; an immigration guide it is not (although you might want to check out if what's said is true once you get here!) The fun quiz at the back determines whether you're Canadian enough to live in Canada and is a good do over some Molsons and nuts.
