Review of THE ROAD TO GODERICH by Linda McQuaig (New Release)

 3 Stars

In Scotland in the 1830s, fifteen-year-old Callandra reluctantly agrees to marry Norbert Scott, a wealthy Presbyterian clergyman. Since she acquiesces only to save her family from destitution and since Norbert is emotionally cruel, it is not a happy marriage. Callandra’s only solace is her friendship with Lottie, a household servant. Then Norbert accepts a post in Goderich in Upper Canada. Their daughter Emma, Lottie, and Lottie’s brother Sam, a carpenter hired to build the church in Goderich, are to accompany them.

In an accident enroute to Goderich, Norbert drowns. Sam is mistaken for the long-awaited clergyman and he and Callandra and Emma decide to continue the deceit. Things start to unravel especially when Sam, a charismatic young man and natural leader, supports a rebellion against the elitists in control of Upper Canada.

There are events that stretch credibility. Callandra and Sam decide to deceive the entire community on the basis of a misunderstanding?! They give no thought to the possible consequences. They actually think that the truth will not be discovered in time? And the Presbyterian congregants accept a preacher who does not preach? Surely, Sam would have made some effort to familiarize himself further with the Bible and the rituals of worship, yet there’s no mention of him trying to educate himself in spiritual matters.

There are other problematic events. Rosalee can’t read but knows about “the silly book about women that [Callandra] was always reading.” Sam’s decision to accompany Callandra to Ethan’s farm is never explained; it’s just an obvious plot device to force the two together. When Emma inadvertently blurts out a secret, Blair doesn’t react and only in passing thinks of “the strange comments of the little girl”? Given Blair’s interest in speaking with Sam, what Emma says should have resulted in a dramatic reaction. The part of the trial with its revelations about a cabin seems unnatural and contrived. And then there’s the manipulation of the reader: we are mislead about events involving O’Reilly. Finally, there’s a lack of clarity about the passage of time which causes some confusion.

The character of Callandra is interesting. She’s a spirited young woman who struggles against the constraints faced by women who had little self-agency. Her love for and loyalty to her family has her willing to sacrifice her own happiness. But she is not a perfect person. Whereas she is largely a convincing character, the same cannot be said of Norbert. He is cold and arrogant; he has no love even for his daughter. Even in death, his selfishness comes to the fore. Callandra admits, “he was cruel right up to the end, showing no concern for anyone but himself.” He comes across as a cartoon villain – and much the same can be said for his mother and other characters as well.

The book’s style suggests non-fiction rather than fiction. There’s certainly a lot of telling versus showing. Obviously the author did a lot of research into the Upper Canada Rebellion, but the historical details weigh down the narrative. And given the focus of the story on relationships, a lot of the information is actually not needed.

I did appreciate the romantic twists which come as a surprise but are foreshadowed, but I found the book’s weak characterization and heavy-handed narration style off-putting.

Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.