The Orenda by Joseph BoydenMy rating: 5 of 5 stars Simply put, Joseph Boyden’s The Orenda is a timeless and imperative read for every Canadian. Even if you’re not Canadian, you should read this novel. It will edify, illuminate, shatter, and complete your understanding of society during 17th century First Nations and European first contact. That The Orenda did not make the short list for either the Giller or the GG is quite incomprehensible. If…
The Memoirs Of Cleopatra by Margaret GeorgeMy rating: 3 of 5 stars To pick up a Margaret George novel is to experience a well-researched epic work. The Memoirs of Cleopatra is no exception. George presents a very intimate story of the legendary Cleopatra, who took a bankrupt, teetering country to its pinnacle of wealth, prosperity and influence, despite overwhelming setbacks and obstacles. My only quibble, as always with George’s work, is a certain reservation in…
Normally when a negative review (which thankfully are few) for one of my books appears I just shrug. We all have different aesthetics, points of view, something the Internet has allowed us to share through social media. So it was when I raised the very public hackles of Liz Bourke, reviewer for Strange Horizons, I merely allowed Ms. Bourke her opinion about my novel From Mountains of Ice and carried on. It would seem, however, her…