4.5 Stars
Having read and loved all four of Lawson’s previous novels, I was excited to read her latest.
The novel is set in 1969 in northeastern Ontario, the setting of all of Lawson’s books. Jack Gallagher comes across the aftermath of two accidents in the course of a few days. First he finds a dog which was hit by a vehicle and then he rescues Chris Hansen, an American draft dodger very seriously injured in a car accident. Jack, a widower who loves his solitude, has his life upended when his cabin is filled with a recovering dog and human and various others who come regularly to help. Unfortunately, visits by Jack’s daughter Sally complicate rather than help.
Besides Jack and Chris, there are a number of characters whom the reader gets to know. There’s Tomas, the town vet who often serves as a doctor; Kurt, the lone policeman in Solace; Ellie, Kurt’s wife and the nurse who helps care for Chris; and Sally, Jack’s daughter. Backstories, complete with hopes and disappointments, are provided for all. Chapters alternate among characters. Since the omniscient point of view is used, the reader becomes privy to their thoughts and feelings.
This is a novel about ordinary people living ordinary lives who are brought together by extraordinary circumstances and build unexpected connections. They are strangers who become “not strangers, brought together by pure chance and finding common ground.” These connections end up changing lives. Jack, for instance, realizes “he craved peace and solitude less fervently than he had.”
Family dynamics are explored. Chris’ relationships with his father and mother are described. And then there’s the difficult relationship between Jack and Sally. What I appreciate is that even characters whom the reader will probably not like are not caricatures. Sally, for instance, is angry, bitter, and jealous, but Jack acknowledges that he and his wife Hannah had not been good parents and had not shown or expressed their love for their daughter as they should have. Hannah, a renowned textile artist, had been so focused on her work that she had time for little else. As a result, though I hated Sally’s behaviour, I did have some sympathy for her.
The author uses an understated style. Much is said in few words. For example, when Chris is visited by Patrick, Jack notices that his smile “was not a smile but a mask for grief” but that Chris is blind to his friend’s pain and the reason for it. Remembering this observation, though nothing is ever said, one cannot but wonder about Patrick’s fateful decision later in the book.
The novel has a very strong sense of place. Having lived in northeastern Ontario for many years, I can attest to the accuracy of the landscape descriptions. The descriptions of snow, both its beauty and the hardships it causes, bring back memories. The cabin, a haven from the cold, feels welcoming and serves as a place of healing.
There are wonderful touches of humour. Jack’s initial interactions with Lola, the dog, are moments of levity. His demonstrating to Lola how to urinate on newspaper has him concluding that “she probably thinks I’m some sort of pervert.” And Jack’s exchanges with the slippers-wearing waitress at the local café are wonderful.
Lawson’s books rank among my all-time favourites. I highly recommend this one as I have recommended all of the others.
Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
