Almost all the narration is by Trude, the middle child of the King family.She has been told that her position in the family makes her the family collector and teller of stories. The stories she recounts crystallize crucial moments during the life of her family, the people around them, and the social climate of pre-Quiet Revolution Quebec.

The stories begin after the father has moved his family to a rural area on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, where he has taken a job painting fleur-de-lis on tin trays in a nearby factory. For the children this means they grow up in delightful wilderness surrounded by people and customs which are completely new, but leaves their English speaking, non-swimming mother in isolation. The family is cut off from much of the world, but there is much of the world around them. They learn of their individuality through the cultural differences they find between themselves and their nearest neighbours, the Roman Catholic family down the way. They learn about sex and despair first hand through the few adults around them. And they are constantly exposed to life and death, and miracles through their constant contact with the river itself.

Sending to the winner of the Home Sweet Home sweepstakes. Enjoy!

The book has arrived, thank you!!

It's well-written and everything, although random childhood (or should I say "growing into adulthood") stories aren't really my cup of tea. A good enough read anyway.

Going to the winner of another sweepstakes next. Enjoy! :)

Thanks a lot Sakirmo for this wonderful parcel, full of so nice stamps, many tastefull teas, different sorts of chocolate and this book !

I am soooo happy !!! Many many thanks ! :-)