Welcome to BookCrossing! This is a site for catching and releasing books for those who want to share the joy of reading. If you find this book, please leave a journal entry to let previous readers know how and where you found the book. Feel free to do this anonymously if you wish. You are welcome to keep the book, but I encourage you to pass it on and let it continue its journey.

This collection of three stories, two about Luzina Tousignant, the mother of a large family living on a small island and the third about a Catholic priest, features beautiful prose, describing the remoteness and rugged landscape of Northern Manitoba. The book is great at showcasing the spirit of the Canadian pioneer. Luzina is a wonderful character: optimistic, good-humoured and open-minded. I particularly liked the middle story, about how Luzina works tirelessly to bring education to her children. It had been decades since I'd read Roy's works and I'd always recalled them as rather sad, but this novel contains a lot of humour and insightful observations.

This book is on its way to JudySlump612.

Arrived safely yesterday - thank you, mathgirl40!

Gypsysmom recommended this book to me, so I am deeply grateful to mathgirl40 for (as so many other times) providing me an outstanding sample of Canadian literature.

Like mathgirl40, I liked the middle section best. What especially tugged at my heart was Luzina eavesdropping on the class at the open window, and waiting for her children to return to her after class. Alas, they were beguiled by the novelty and charm of their new teacher! And then another new teacher, with another view of history...

I've always liked books showing the pioneering spirit, but a lot of authors seem to turn their characters into one-dimensional pillars of virtue and strength. Roy reaches deeper and turns them into realistic, believable people. I certainly know which I enjoy more.

I'll be saving this for next year's Canada Day release challenge.