2013: What do you think of the Books?

Post a short review or comments of each of the finalists as you read them!

I've just finished February and enjoyed it very much. The writing style really suits the story. It is sparse, yet deep. I loved the way two totally different conversations could be happening at the same time because of the way Ms. Moore portrayed what her characters are feeling as well as doing.

So far I've read Indian Horse and I'm just reading The Age of Hope right now. I though Indian Horse was terrific and I'm really hoping it will win. It's a book about a difficult topic (Indian residential schools) and thus hard at times to read. However, Richard Wagamese has a wonderful writing style and I was completely caught up in it. I chose it as my top book of 2012.

I'm not as impressed by The Age of Hope but maybe it will grow on me.

I also enjoyed Indian Horse when I read it last year. So far, it's my favourite...but I'm going to re-read Away.

Age of Hope was also, I think, very good. I've now read all the books (although I need to re-read Away as it's been a while) and think this is one of the finest group of books Canada Reads has assembled. I'm really looking forward to the debates.

Age of Hope paints a picture of a woman, and in doing so, provides a picture of what family life was like for a generation of women. Very well written.

4 I read your review of The Age of Hope (which you must have posted just about the same time I posted mine). I didn't like it as much as you did I'm afraid. I felt like I never got to know Hope. I still have to read Away and February but I'm still hoping for Indian Horse to be the eventual winner.

I read February in 2011, and recently read Away. I liked them both a lot, although I'm not sure that either is a book that EVERY Canadian needs to read. I don't have any of the other in my TBR pile, and it's only January so I'm still sticking with my resolution to read Mnt TBR, so I won't get to the others before the discussions begin. The only one that interests me might be Indian Horse, which I'd like to read just to compare it to the wonderful Kiss of the Fur Queen (which IS a book every Canadian should read!).

Finished Away by Jane Urquhart last night. I enjoyed it, although the beginning was slow to get through. The writing was lovely, but I'm not sure it's the book to win Canada Reads. Now to decide which one to read next, debating between The Age of Hope and Indian Horse.

My books finally started arriving from the library. Started February last night, and although the writing is excellent, I don't really enjoy "inside the head" stories. Not sure if I'll stick with it to the end - it is already violating my 50 page rule, but that rule contradicts my desire to have read all the Canada Reads finalists. What to do, what to do?

Stick with it--I know it is very "inside the head," but it's really lovely.

I agree with Nickelini. I finished it last night, it was a wonderful read, some of the passages were stunning. The book at the end was just amazing. I found John's parts slow, but for the most part, it was a fantastic read. Stick with it!

Now I'm on to read Indian Horse next. 2 down 3 to go!

I've read them all and, as I've said, this is one of the best collections Canada Reads has put together so far.

My vote would have to go to Indian Horse. It is so reflective of Canadian life.

Aargh . . . I was resisting buying Indian Horse but I don't think I have the strength. Thanks a lot.

Finished February and thank you to Nickelini and Bookwormjules for your encouragement to keep reading it. I didn't find John's parts slow though; instead I found the flashbacks to the Ocean Ranger draggy. It does keep getting better and the end was lovely. I am glad I read it although if it hadn't been for Canada Reads, it's unlikely I would have even picked it up. I just got a notice from the library the Away is available for me so I guess the avalanche of books is starting.

Just finished Away - beautiful writing but not really the story for me, I'm afraid, and likely not for all Canadians either. Just a little too Irish - I'm married into a pure Irish family and that's really all the Irish dreaminess I can handle! I preferred February so far but still have three more books to read.

I also just finished Away. I agree it was beautifully written but I don't think it's the best Jane Urquhart has ever written. (That honour would go to The Stone Carvers.) I've a bit of Irish in my family background but I'm afraid it's the Protestant Orange Lodge type so not much Irish dreaminess there. I usually love all books about Ireland and so I guess it's no surprise that my favourite parts were when the people were still in Ireland. After that, for me, the pace slowed down and I had trouble feeling for Aileen. So, Indian Horse is still my pick for the book all Canadians should read. I'm starting on February now so should be able to decide soon if that still stands.

I'm just about halfway through Two Solitudes, and it's not to bad so far, I like aspect of it, but don't like other aspects if it. Then it's on to The Age of Hope, but my first pick is February followed by Away

really loved The Age of Hope. I plan to read Indian Horse sooner than later- it is on my kindle.

I just finished my last Canada Reads book, Indian Horse, and I absolutely loved it. I wish I had been able to read it before the debates. I really liked both February and Two Solitudes but I do think Indian Horse is the book all Canadians should read.

February / Lisa Moore
2.5 stars

In 1982, an oil rig sank off the coast of Newfoundland. This book follows Helen, now a young widow, as her husband, Cal, had been working on the oil rig. Helen is left to care for four children.

It wasn’t a boring story, but the book flipped all over the place in time, mostly between 2008 and other years, looking back. Each section did introduce the year, but it was really all over the place, I thought. I didn’t care about characters, and I didn’t believe the outcome of John’s (John is one of Helen’s children, an adult in 2008) storyline. Also, what is wrong with using quotation marks?

>19 LibraryCin: February was a 5 star read for me. Different strokes, I guess.

>20 Nickelini: I think most people really enjoyed it.

> 20 I also rated February highly when I read it. I kind of like books where the time line flips about. A case in point, I just finished reading A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson which has some chapters in WWII, some before the war, some right after the war and some in almost the present time. You have to pay close attention but I found it fascinating.