Customer Reviews

HOMESICK

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Without going into the actual storyline too deeply, I will only say that this book is beautiful and sad and I think accurately portrays the conflicting feelings of people who love and resent their family members. The main character in the book is Vera, who has left her father and disabled brother in Saskatchewan to forge a new life for herself in Toronto and ends up returning feeling not quite defeated but definitely weathered. Her relationships with her son and her aging father are complicated and recognizable and the ending was surprising as the past comes back at first to hurt and then to heal. I grew up in Saskatchewan and many familiar characters of the small town are present in the story...it is worth reading if for no other reason than to visit the prairie landscape, but the characters will pull you in as well.

The story is a model of conflict between generations. Vera, the protagonist, headstrong daughter, wonderful mother, seargant!, good wife can be admired and detested, depending on the scene. But she is one of the great characters of Canadian fiction. Alec, the grandfather, will be mainly disliked for his habits and assumptions about women, but he can be understood as well. Daniel, son and grandson, will be liked by almost all, even though he has no outstanding "manly" qualities, he loves his grandfather, and is loyal to the end. Characterization marks great fiction. Here it is.