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Journal Entry 1 by JessicaEby from Cambridge, Ontario Canada on Thursday, August 24, 2006
 I don't know what to say about this book except that I love it! Actually, there is a lot to say, but I guess I'm just not sure where to start!
I have my own hardcover edition of this book, and when I spotted this paperback copy in a thrift shop, I knew I had to bookcross it! I'm not sure how I will pass it on just yet (I'm torn!) but I know it has to find more readers!
I first read No Great Mischief as a 16 year old in 2002, when it was the first book for the One Book, One Community project in my region. One of my brothers encouraged me to read it, and I'm so glad that I did! I think it's safe to say that it is one of my favourite books in general, probably my favourite Canadian novel, and probably my favourite "grown-up book." I have heard complaints about it being hard to get into because of its rhythms, but I have never had trouble with it. I don't know if that's because of my Canadian-ism, my Scottish-ness, a combination, or none of those things, but as I said, I've never had trouble falling into its rhythms. My favourite quote about this book is from the Glasgow Herald, and it is as follows:
"This is a simply great novel. The simplicity lies in the device of the plot. The greatness lies in its scope, imagination, and execution... His message beguiles, his prose captivates, and his narrative never loosens a deceptively gentle grip."
No Great Mischief is an internationally acclaimed novel, it is a "long-time national bestseller," and it has received the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award; the Dartmouth Book Award for Fiction; the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award; the Trillium Award for Fiction; the CAA-MOSAID Technologies Inc. Award for Fiction; and the Canadian Booksellers Association Libris Award for Book of the Year. Alistair MacLeod was also awarded Author of the Year at the Libris Awards, and this book was a finalist for the Pearson Canada Reader's Choice Award at Word on the Street. It comes highly recommended by various authors and critics, and, of course, by me! I do realize that I am gushing here, so now I will leave you with the summary from the back of the book.
Alexander MacDonald guides us through his family's mythic past as he recollects the heroic stories of his people: loggers, miners, drinkers, adventurers; men forever in exile, forever linked to their clan. There is the legendary patriarch who left the Scottish Highlands in 1779 and resettled in "the land of the trees," where his descendants became a separate Nova Scotia clan. There is the team of brothers and cousins, expert miners in demand around the world for their dangerous skills. And there is Alexander and his twin sister, who have left Cape Breton and prospered, yet are haunted by the past. Elegiac, hypnotic, by turns joyful and sad, No Great Mischief is a spell-binding story of family, loyalty, and of the blood ties that bind us to the land from which our ancestors came.
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Journal Entry 2 by JessicaEby from Cambridge, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, August 30, 2006
I've re-read this book. I just had to read this specific copy before I could let it go. I don't really have anything new to say about it, though, after my ranting in the original journal entry! I think perhaps I understood it in new ways this time around, in addition to the old ones. Maybe it's one of those onion books, with many layers... or maybe it's just that over the past four years I've had new experiences that have afforded me different view points and things to relate to. Either way, I still thought it was a great read!
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Journal Entry 3 by JessicaEby from Cambridge, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, January 10, 2007
There is a bookring in the works for this book. So far, the shipping order I've got worked out it this:
me (but I've already read it, I just have to send it)-CAN
Breeze144-CAN
morsecode-USA
KarinAlyssa-CAN
yourotherleft-USA
back home!-CAN
Now, once I hear from everyone about whether or not this is an acceptable order, I'll take the next step-- either reworking the order, or sending the book!
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Journal Entry 5 by Breeze144 from Ajax, Ontario Canada on Monday, June 04, 2007
Interesting book. Was very interesting to read, heartbreaking, but really left me hanging and wondering...
Since I fell in love with the Outlander series, I find a lot of clan/Scottish heritage stuff interesting...this fed that habit, but I don't know if its a book I'd widely recommend.
Will be passing on to Morsecode on June 10th at a meet-up.
June 14 - Morsecode wasn't at the meet-up so I passed this along to Chronicbooker3 who will give it to Morsie in July!!! Sorry for the delay....
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Journal Entry 10 by yourotherleft from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania USA on Sunday, October 21, 2007
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the Scottish history, how close the modern day Scots were to their ancestors and their beliefs, and the fantastic descriptions of the extraordinary (or so it seems - kind of made me want to go see it for myself!) scenery of Cape Breton. I also really liked the stories about the MacDonalds' dogs that "tried too hard and cared too much." MacLeod has written some very unforgettable scenes that really stick in my mind.
If you want to see, I tried my hand at reviewing it in my new blog.
Thanks for sharing, Jessica. It's on its way back to you!
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Journal Entry 11 by JessicaEby from Cambridge, Ontario Canada on Friday, November 02, 2007
This book is back safely with me, thanks yourotherleft! And thanks to everybody for participating in this bookring :) KarinAlyssa, sadly, didn't get a chance to read this... but I've messaged her to see if she wants it now. I haven't heard anything from her, but the book should be around for a while... and we'll just see what happens! Thanks again, everyone!
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No Great Mischief
