I strongly disagree, Douglas. I think The Life & Times of Captain N., and Elle are highly romantic. Not as in 💗 “romance” but in the profound “soulfulness”, tragic or joyous, frailties & strengths, that connects us humans. I grew up with an old textbook of my father’s, (circa 1926) called “The Romance of Canada”. It was compelling and graphically illustrated, revealing a history of Canada that would have made any 12-year-old’s heart beat. It did mine. Especially seeing Dollard slain by a nearly-naked Iroquois.
I have written a novel callled “No Worst There Is None”, which was nominated for an “Arthur Ellis Best First Crime Novel Award” but which is a probing, spiritual look at a family’s grief after the sexual murder of a daughter. An ineffable crime occurs, but the novel is about the aftermath of survival.
The Tyrone Power tale was superb…an intimate story of the fluid, meaningful and mesmerizing synchronicity of existence. You romantic…you.
I can identify every single reference, geographic and human. I broke my baby teeth, reading wise, with Costain and the further reading of historical fiction led to my interest in history. All the ocharacters: Doc Sutherland, your Dad, Tonto (as I remember Mr. Silverheels) and your mother were known to me. The Black Rose was my favorite Costain novel (because of the heroine), and Tyrone Power reminded me of my dad. In some strange way this feels validating of my own past. Truly appreciated.
You masterfully capture the frequent and utterly unpredictable incursion of coincidence i to tour lives, Doug. Agnostic in most respects that I be, I sometimes surmise that lucky chance is God's way of remaining anonymous,
What a charming story, about how life imitates art in a way you could almost not get away with if you tried it in fiction, so improbable and tightly woven. These synchronicities are life's gift of stories, ready made! :)
Absolutely could not get away with it, if it weren't real. I really like your phrase "improbable and tightly woven."
I strongly disagree, Douglas. I think The Life & Times of Captain N., and Elle are highly romantic. Not as in 💗 “romance” but in the profound “soulfulness”, tragic or joyous, frailties & strengths, that connects us humans. I grew up with an old textbook of my father’s, (circa 1926) called “The Romance of Canada”. It was compelling and graphically illustrated, revealing a history of Canada that would have made any 12-year-old’s heart beat. It did mine. Especially seeing Dollard slain by a nearly-naked Iroquois.
I have written a novel callled “No Worst There Is None”, which was nominated for an “Arthur Ellis Best First Crime Novel Award” but which is a probing, spiritual look at a family’s grief after the sexual murder of a daughter. An ineffable crime occurs, but the novel is about the aftermath of survival.
The Tyrone Power tale was superb…an intimate story of the fluid, meaningful and mesmerizing synchronicity of existence. You romantic…you.
I can identify every single reference, geographic and human. I broke my baby teeth, reading wise, with Costain and the further reading of historical fiction led to my interest in history. All the ocharacters: Doc Sutherland, your Dad, Tonto (as I remember Mr. Silverheels) and your mother were known to me. The Black Rose was my favorite Costain novel (because of the heroine), and Tyrone Power reminded me of my dad. In some strange way this feels validating of my own past. Truly appreciated.
You masterfully capture the frequent and utterly unpredictable incursion of coincidence i to tour lives, Doug. Agnostic in most respects that I be, I sometimes surmise that lucky chance is God's way of remaining anonymous,
Lovely story and storytelling. both.
What a charming story, about how life imitates art in a way you could almost not get away with if you tried it in fiction, so improbable and tightly woven. These synchronicities are life's gift of stories, ready made! :)