No Great Mischief (Hardcover)

by Alistair MacLeod (Author) "As I begin to tell this, it is the golden month of September in southwestern Ontario..." (more)
Key Phrases: Calum Ruadh, Chalum Ruaidh, Fern Picard (more...)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Mcclelland & Stewart, Toronto (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0771055676
• ISBN-13: 978-0771055676
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,014,223 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Canadian Grapes of Wrath, May 1, 2000

By	Alan Scheer (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Great Mischief (Hardcover)

I was suspicious when I read the early acclaim for this novel, but just having finished reading it myself, I have to agree that this is a masterpiece and will be one of the novels that people will remember for a very long time. The quality of prose is so intelligent in this work, the story is so moving and encompasses so many different experiences in such an imaginative manner. The book is incredibly life- affirming and it not only speaks to the experience of one community of people as Steinbeck's great novel did decades ago, it also speaks to the entire experience of being an immigrant in the New World. I can't wait to read this book again. It's magnificent.

52 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Chointhe, lochran aigh nam bochd.", May 25, 2000

By	taking a rest - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: No Great Mischief (Hardcover)

When more familiar sounds are heard, the above becomes, "Look, the lamp of the poor." The lamp is the moon and the reference encompasses what those may do when the moon is bright that otherwise would require the means they do not have.

This is a beautifully written story of the MacDonald Clan that spans nearly three centuries in length. How Mr. Alistair Macleod conveys this epoch of this Family in such a relatively short work (283 pages) is enigmatic. The Author accomplishes this in part I believe by using not only the words he needs, but the most appropriate as well. The reading is so rewarding because the Author gives you so much to absorb, to ponder, and at times to puzzle over.

Prior to this work Mr. Macleod published two books of short stories that I have not read. Another Author stated, "He is one of the great undiscovered writers of our time." A heady endorsement, but one I cannot argue with. Other reviewers have made reference to some literary talents whose work has become timeless and by extension classic. I agree without reservation.

This book joins some others that never seem to receive the public acclaim they are due. I thought of "The Banyan Tree", and "Life Is So Good", and also "No News At Throat Lake". It may be that these books don't have a publicity machine behind them, and if that is the case it truly is a loss to readers.

One of the wise Elders in the story says." Music is the lubricant of the poor. All over the world. In all the different languages." Books like these and the people who write them provide the same comfort, encouragement, and incentive for readers to go on reading when there seems to be less books of this caliber offered.

False muses, the French Ships that never came, and the body that moves inland while the heart was left at the sea. This is a book that will move and satisfy, and keep looking for the next great Author you have yet to find.

Absolutely outstanding! Read it!

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love Frank McCourt, you'll love this, April 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: No Great Mischief (Hardcover)

Stellar writing by one of North America's greatest living writers, this novel is loaded with the same kind of emotional authenticity, lush language and courage as ANGELA'S ASHES. MacLeod brings the mythic, the historical and contemporary experience together in a way that is magical, poetic and yet unpretentious. MacLeod is also a wonderful antidote to the American writers who, I'm told, describe my experience. MacLeod is not Joyce Carrol Oates or E.L. Doctorow, thank God.