A first novel by a Canadian author.

I come from a small town. My ancestors, grandparents, parents came from other small towns, most of which have gotten smaller and smaller. While I am not originally a prairie girl, I've always had a bit of fascination with grain elevators (Perhaps because I am not originally a prairie girl and don't really know what goes on in them up close and personal. They probably have rats or at least mice).

But looking from outside, from a distance and as you approach them on the highway say, they seem almost romantic, like prairie castles. I loved this picture book about them. So I approached the reading of this book about Beatrice, a small prairie town and its residents facing the demolition of its only grain elevator, with some pleasant expectations.

I was rewarded almost instantly, the one-page prologue set the scene prefectly. A movie could not have been more picturesque.

" Dawn comes to Beatrice sleepy and deliberate as a child.
In a certain lot at the edge of town, the wind clamours awake and scatters over the morning's puddles. A new thistle strains through an old plank twisted with rot [...]
The track begins to shudder. A whistle sounds, distant like a ship.
A hush unfurls and the sun creeps a little higher.
[...]
In the passing, there is nothing left but: rattle-clack, rattle-clack, rattle-clack."

And in the first few chapters, as morning breaks over Beatrice we are introduced to the book's main characters as they carry out their morning routines: Colleen, a stranger in town 17 years ago, but who stayed and managed to fit in and now runs the town bar (where most of the town comes for coffee now that the only restaurant closed); Dale Jr. who inherited the farm but is struggling to make it work as successfully as it had when his father had it; and Perry who turned to drink after his wife died and his son left town.

And I settled back for a delightful read. Unfortunately the book did not live up to its promise for me. Don't get me wrong, it was an easy read and it did maintain my interest to the end. But somewhere along the line it lost its sparkle. Perhaps that was intended. As Colleen surmises, "Maybe watching TV in a musty bar stuffed with brass plant hangers is what it's all about. Maybe the way the day just ends when the work is done is as good as it gets." But I had hoped for more than rattle-clack, rattle-clack.

In the 2nd floor ladies' room.

This book was released for the Canada Day release challenge running from today, June 25, to July 4, 2010 in Canada and around the world in celebration of Canadian books and authors.

To the finder of this book:

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I hope you enjoy this book by a Canadian author. Happy Canada Day!

I'm still reading it, and I'm enjoying it a lot.
I was really surprised by finding just there on the counter
and I was so happy it made my day.
I moved recently so I haven't had time to read it until now.
Happy belated Canada Day!!
Thank you and I'll post my review as soon as I finish.