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.
Joyce, Really nice to see your comment. I'm amazed that you had a thing for The Black Rose, too. And now that I think of it, your father did look at bit like Tyrone. I know what you mean.
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,
Thank you, Syd. Coincidence is a maddening concept, especially as we humans are all so egotistical and think we are the end purpose of everything that went before. But just maybe that waiter who mixed up the dinners was an angel in disguise. Doubtful, though. Just an inattentive waiter.
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."
Thx. I guess I would edit "ready made," though--not enough credit to the remaker! ;)
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.
Joyce, Really nice to see your comment. I'm amazed that you had a thing for The Black Rose, too. And now that I think of it, your father did look at bit like Tyrone. I know what you mean.
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,
Thank you, Syd. Coincidence is a maddening concept, especially as we humans are all so egotistical and think we are the end purpose of everything that went before. But just maybe that waiter who mixed up the dinners was an angel in disguise. Doubtful, though. Just an inattentive waiter.
Lovely story and storytelling. both.
Thanks, Mark. Very generous. Takes one to know one.
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! :)
I meant my comment as a reply to you, Nowick. Thanks for writing.