Customer Reviews

Childhood

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Childhood by Andre Alexis McClelland & Stewart Inc. 1998

The story follows the life of Thomas MacMillan from early childhood until the death of his mother, Katerina, and Henry Wing, one of his mother's lovers. The main characters are superbly drawn while Thomas remains for us only a wispy image generated by his thoughts.

The love of Henry for Katerina is constant, undemanding and rises above the everyday demands of mere mortals. Katerina, on the other hand moves by her own light and one is never sure if she is capable of loving and one wonders too what has caused this strange disconnectedness.

There are wryly funny sections and clear bright narrative bits that draw the reader in. At the end one realizes that the story is touchingly sentimental while being questioningly honest. I liked the book but had a strange unsatisfied feeling when I was finished. I wanted to know more of Henry, Katerina and Thomas.

Alexis presents a well crafted novel that meanders between the past and the present, the truth and illusion. His use of the French language, poetry and allusion is skilled, though at times intimidating. Overall, the honesty and maturity of the novel made for a very delightful, if too short, read.

I found this a very clever book , that weaves the past and present together . The remmbrance of an unusual childhood and how we come to perceive the world through many experienes, is revealed through snpshots of his life. I loved the use of poetry and almost magical quality the writer imparts to his rembering his childhood as an older person.