4.0 out of 5 stars
Some geographies were lost, but new ones were found, Dec 1 2003
The common thread in this book is the transcontinental distances that characters put between themselves and their families. It all starts with Davis leaving Scotland for Canada, not so much to find a living, but to escape the stifling constraints of tradition. Then Hilda, his daughter, left her past in Regina and moved to Toronto. Hilda's daughter, Danielle, needs to escape her mother, who is larger than life without even trying, and in order to find hr own identity, moves to Paris. There she falls in love with Osman, who has also abandoned his native England escaping a sad childhood. And so it goes...
The first chapters of the book are definitively for the impatient reader, as the author does not spend too much time recreating scenes or circumstances. There is a certain economy of language, and the flow hassles through. Once we get to Paris, the pace slows down, and we get to savor the intricacies of the characters. I enjoyed this book, and identified especially with Danielle's character. I did not appreciate the common use of archetypes that the author used, though, above all when it came to define French or Canadian people. Still, this is well worth a read.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
