Customer Reviews

Lawrence Doyle; The Farmer Poet; Of Prince Edward Island

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Thirty years after its initial publication, Edward "Sandy" Ives' "Lawrence Doyle: the Farmer Poet of Prince Edward Island" remains the standard work on a folk poet whose writings were little known outside of his home region of eastern P.E.I. before this book's publication. Ives, who has also published standard works on two other Maritime Canadian folk poets (Larry Gorman of western P.E.I. and Joe Scott of New Brunswick) is recognized as the doyen of Eastern folklorists and his work here proves the point. Readers will quickly become embroiled in 19th P.E.I. political issues such as Confederationism, Reciprocity with the U.S.A. and out-migration in his treatment of Doyle's poem "Prince Edward Isle Adieu." The colour of local "Island" culture is richly revealed in his study of poems and songs addressed to the more limited audience of Eastern P.E.I. (such as "The Picnic at Groshaut" and "When Johnny Went Plowing for Kearnon"). More universal themes, such as the age-old conflict between the male and female of the species, are explored (delicately!) by Ives in his examination of "The Crooked Rib." It is Ives' almost unique ability to personalize this fascinating material, while giving it the thorough treatment of scientific historical/folkloric study, that sets him apart as a giant in his field. The book is emminently readable and will be a delight to the present generation who are 'meeting' Dr. Ives for the first time; be they folklorist, folk musicians, or home-sick Prince Edward Islanders.