Helpful Score: 3
Richard Ford's "Canada" is a beautifully written coming of age book that is carried along with simple and clean writing that makes it all the better.
The basic story is that Dell and sister Berner are twins living with their parents in Great Falls, Montana in the sixties. Bev, the father, was a career Air Force man and is more outgoing, while his wife Neeva, is a more quiet and scholarly woman. Bev has gotten himself in some trouble in a bad business deal and owes money that he doesn't have. He comes up with the idea to rob a bank in North Dakato with the assistance of his wife. They carry this out and eventually go to jail.
For Dell and Berner this is a real crisis, because their mother has arranged for Dell to go to Canada to stay with the brother of her friend, but before Berner can be sent, she runs away. Dell makes it to the open and lonely prairies of Saskatchewan, only to be forced into hard work and no school.
Dell's story is a bittersweet one, but he shows perseverance and acceptance in the harshest of conditions. He never gives up, and the ending of the book fits the rest of the story very well.
I loved the book and look forward to reading more of Richard Ford.
The basic story is that Dell and sister Berner are twins living with their parents in Great Falls, Montana in the sixties. Bev, the father, was a career Air Force man and is more outgoing, while his wife Neeva, is a more quiet and scholarly woman. Bev has gotten himself in some trouble in a bad business deal and owes money that he doesn't have. He comes up with the idea to rob a bank in North Dakato with the assistance of his wife. They carry this out and eventually go to jail.
For Dell and Berner this is a real crisis, because their mother has arranged for Dell to go to Canada to stay with the brother of her friend, but before Berner can be sent, she runs away. Dell makes it to the open and lonely prairies of Saskatchewan, only to be forced into hard work and no school.
Dell's story is a bittersweet one, but he shows perseverance and acceptance in the harshest of conditions. He never gives up, and the ending of the book fits the rest of the story very well.
I loved the book and look forward to reading more of Richard Ford.
This is a tragic tale of lives forever altered. It is told from the perspective of 15 year old Dell and what he experienced in his young life as a result of his parents' criminal act. He was truly naive, sheltered and obedient and lacked the tools needed to look out for himself. The year was 1960 and the world was a different place. Interesting read, but strange and sad.
Very "completely" written. Characters are extremely well developed. Book would be interesting to discuss in a book club or literary class.
A rather captivating book, maybe because the characters are seem real and not melodramatic. I found it hard to believe this was fiction, it must be based closely on someone's life. (most of the story takes place in 1960)
