At first I was afraid that I would not be able to "get into" this book, since I have been having wretched luck recently with that. I needn't have worried: after a day's worth of reading I was toting the book everywhere I went, reading during meals, in the bath, at work (sneaky!). I enjoyed the characters and their quirks. Most of all I liked the way the story was told: it unfolded in a way that was not entirely linear, the secrets and hidden truths of the characters were left to be guessed: sometimes they were revealed, sometimes not. I found the setting (early 20th c. Nova Scotia) very dramatic... I think I have a real "thing" for Canada these days.
I was very glad to have read this book finally, after having it recommended to me by a few friends some time ago. I, in turn, have recommended it to others.
[A quote from a previous reader of another edition residing on my bookshelf: "like a train wreck." I think it's a funny but apt description!]

Released on Thursday, November 13, 2003 at mostly fiction in spikesmom, postal release USA.

I've chosen this from SpikesMom's Mostly Fiction Book Box. I don't usually go for "saga" types, but I'll give it a try. Will let it go again after reading.

Well, it looks to be a stormy weekend here in Charleston, what with tropical storm Bonnie blowing ashore today and Hurricane Charly headed this way as well. When I last looked at the strike zone maps, looks like a 20-49% chance that the centers of both storms will pass within 75 miles of here. (You can go to www.hurricane.wcsc.com and track things yourself, if so inclined.)

Anyhow, to this bookczuk brain, rainy weather=excellent reading opportunity. So I toddled off to the OBCZ to see if there was anything that tickled my fancy. This book with its description of "stormy Cape Breton Island" on the back seemed to cry out, "Take me! Take me! I'll be good! Honest I will!"

So I packed up the Piper family, who are "steeped in secrets, lies and unspoken truths" and took them home with me.

I have an inkling of another bookcrosser who might like this when I am ready to pass it along.

P.S. The picture is of the projected strike zone of Bonnie. We're in the green area. Lucky us.

I have very mixed reactions to this book. Parts I found wonderful, but there were some deeply disturbing parts as well- at least for me. There are just some subjects I don't do well with, but that's my own quirk, not the fault of the author. The author has a great style and ability to tell a story-- a little along the lines of Anita Shreve or Margaret Atwood.

We will be heading up to Canada in a few weeks, so I think I'll take it along and release it there...unless it gets snagged by another bookcrosser before then!

RELEASE NOTES:

Left here while we had coffee before heading on to McGill on the great college tour. If you are familiar with bookcrossing, you know whatto do. If not, welcome! You've found a grand site for booklovers with a sense of adventure. This book is yours to keep, or pass along or set free again for someone else to find. I hope you'll explore the site, and perhaps even join (it's FREE). If you do, you can track this book's journey when you are done with it. Make a journal entry if you wish (please, please, please!) and maybe even use me, Bookczuk, as your referring member.

Have fun, happy reading, and make the world a library!

I was shopping downtown near the Cafe Castle when I remembered about the release note. I decided to see if the book was still there, but it wasn't on any table. When I asked for a forgotten book, they gave me this one. It's going in my TBR shelf, I read one of her books a long time ago, but I remember enjoying it.

Enjoy your stay in Montreal, Bookczuk !!!

Sagas are usually books I tend to avoid since they consume a lot of time to read and energy to remember each character. This one was different, I had read another Anne-Marie MacDonald before and like the previous, I really enjoyed reading "Fall on your knees". The Pipers were a really interesting family and after finishing this book, I would have love to read another one concerning this very special family.

reserved for Newf

Finally picked this up, and got to meet KarinAlyssa in person at tonight's meetup. Thanks for sharing - I look forward to reading it.