THE FLOOD

Ian Rankin. THE FLOOD. 

Because of our recent "atmospheric rivers" and catastrophic flooding, it would be easy to think that it was this title which attracted me. But no. It is the author. It seems much of a popular writer's early work gets re-issued to catch the wave. 

This novel is described in the writer's updated intro as "literary" so that too attracts me. How will it differ from his popular crime fiction, especially my fav character, Rebus?

Hmm. I have to think about that. Alex, the mother, and Sandy, the just coming-of-age teen boy, in a Scottish town which has lost its one industry, coal. 

Alex is a single mother in her early thirties who has survived the town's gossip about bad luck, witchcraft, and the mystery of her pregnancy. Who is the father? How did her own father die? Is incest involved? 

This was the first of a three-book trend for me in this post-writing pre-holiday season. The subject of identity and the role an absent or unknown parent plays in a young person's growth. 

A THOUSAND MORNINGS

 Mary Oliver. A THOUSAND MORNINGS. Penguin, 2012.

A gift, in so many ways.

DAD WORE A FEDORA AND SLEEVE GARTERS

 Salli Pustanyk Rice. DAD WORE A FEDORA AND SLEEVE GARTERS. Friesens, 2021.

My friend Salli RIce has published her genealogy and personal interview research on the life of her late father Andy Pustanyk of Fort St John, BC. So well researched and loving too. Makes me wish I had met him. 

FROM THE ASHES

Jesse Thistle. FROM THE ASHES: MY STORY OF BEING METIS, HOMELESS, AND FINDING MY WAY

STRANGERS

 David A. Robertson. STRANGERS. 

The SENTINEL

 Lee and Andrew Child. The SENTINEL: Jack Reacher

THE UNSWEPT ROOM

 Sharon Olds. The Unswept Room. Knopf, 2005. 

I have heard of the wonders of this poet's work for years and this is the first time I have found one of her books. Nothing disappoints. All the poems are challenging. Many are disturbing. My favourite is "Wilderness" about looking at the stars.