Through Black Spruce

Joseph Boyden has become one of my favorite authors after reading this. I immediately read 2 more of his books and was not disappointed! The story left so many feelings, and the characters stole my heart. It was beautiful! I definitely put it on my “read again” list.

"...We may think the past as something we don't need. But that's not true - not to my mind." *) History is front and centre of Joseph Boyden's second novel, "Through Black Spruce". Loosely a follow-up to his first, Three Day Road - the story of two young Cree trackers fighting in World War I - this story looks at history in a very personal, intimate way. Will and Annie Bird, the two narrative voices, are the son and granddaughter of Xavier Bird, one of the three central characters in the earlier book. Distinct in their approaches to their individual story, told in alternating chapters, they are also intricately connected. As the two "confessions" to each other unfold, they increasingly interweave into one multi-layered tapestry. Will, an experienced trapper and bush pilot, lies in a coma in the hospital of Moosonee, a James Bay community in northern Ontario. Very soon we realize that only one of two possible events can have landed him in this state: another crash with his small bush plane or another big fight with Marius, the bully and controlling local drug lord and prominent member of the Netmaker family. The Birds and the Netmaker families have more than one reasons to be enemies and, recently, much had to do with Will's other niece, the stunningly beautiful Suzanne, who took off with Marius' brother; both have disappeared without a trace since. Annie, recently returned from several months down south, sits by her uncle's side and, speaking softly to his ear, hopes to somehow connect with him and to bring him back to the waking world. While in his deep sleep, Will's mind is in a state of active dreaming, looking back on his life. Following the twisting and winding ways of memory lane, he digs deep into his past, reviewing and reassessing his hopes and failures, his loves and losses and, eventually the moments of happiness and peace. A sense of urgency compels him to share his life's story and all its secrets with his two beloved nieces. Unbeknownst to Annie, of course, who has her own reasons to reflect on recent experiences. After some reluctance to talk to a comatose, Annie in turn describes to her uncle the events of the last months that took her to Toronto, Montreal and to New York City and, eventually, brought her back to Moosonee. Whereas Will is intimately connected to the 'old ways' and the constant struggle between traditional and modern worlds in this remote part of the Canadian landscape, Annie lives with between the two realities. Tempted by an invitation, she gave in to the powerful lure of the southern world of the big cities, the excitements and opportunities that they hold for the enterprising young. Annie has another important reason to head south. She is following the trail of her missing sister, who, according to rumours, had made it big in the world of fashion modeling. In Toronto, Annie comes across a group of urban 'Indians' who provide her with the first clues as to Suzanne's whereabouts. Following Anni

Every time I go to Canada, I buy a Canadian book. This one appealed because of the title and the awards that it won. Would it deliver or not? The answer is a resounding YES on delivery. As I said, I could hardly put it down although I work full time where I don't have time to read. Boyden's prose is outstanding and there was enough Native dialog and information to give me a flavor without beating me over the head. It was at once a mystery and a tretis on life and relationships. Thought provoking with characters that you cared about without feeling he was manipulating your emotions. He is also superb at finding and keeping a beautiful balance within the story. Bravo!

This is one of the best novels I've read this year. I found the author's portrayal of northern Ontario to be both hauntingly sad and beautiful. In fact, the characters in the novel could be described similarly. The story of Annie and her uncle seem to take similar paths, albeit in different times and different places. A great read and certainly this book was deserving of the Giller prize.

A lovely book...no one seems to have mentioned that Will is the son of the protagonist of Three Day Road...Does Mr. Boyden have plans for a Louise Erdrich kind of opus? I hope so!

An incredible follow-up to Joseph Boyden's powerful novel Three Day Road. Fans of that novel and readers new to the works of Joseph Boyden will be similarly impressed and blown over. Through Black Spruce tells the story of two people, each on their own journey, searching for forgiveness, a sense of identity and belonging, and ultimately redemption. It begins with one of the more gripping openings in recent memory and doesn't ease its grip on the reader until the final page. It definitely deserves the Giller Award it won, as well as every other award that will without a doubt come its way. Do yourself a favor: get this book!