First off, I’d like to say that two books with graphic scenes from WW I is too many for one Canada Reads year.
Second off, it’s not too often that a book manages to work in trench warfare, residential schools and morphine addiction.

That said, this was actually a pretty enjoyable book, with attention to detail, and a cultural sensitivity that I really enjoyed. In fact, I was completely fascinated by the ‘bush Indian’ segments of the book and would have enjoyed seeing more of that instead of all the war stuff, but I guess then it would have been another book, so what the hell.

It was really well written though, flowing seamlessly between settings and narrators, as though set upon the river used to symbolize the character’s progress through the novel.

There’s a lot to think about in there, and a lot of commentary about war that might make some people think hard about world events these days. Sadly, the people in charge there aren’t the types to read books with this many pages…

That’s three of five down for Canada Reads. I’ve finished Al Purdy, but I want to flip around and read a few poems over again before I review it. Cocksure is in the living room waiting for me.

And then A Fine Balance, for whoever said I should read that…