The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan

The Day the Falls Stood Still
By: Cathy Marie Buchanan

Published: August 2009

Published by: Hyperion

Format Read: eBook, Kobo

Genre: Historical fiction

Rating: 4/5

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Bess Heath was raised on stories about the people who tested their fate with Niagara Falls and the river leading to it, but none was more thrilling than the River Man, who saved many lives, simply because he had a deep understanding and respect for the world wonder. As a member of an upper-class family, Bess never would have thought she would fall in love with the lowly River Man’s grandson. Beginning in 1915, The Day the Falls Stood Still chronicles her and Tom Cole’s love story, during a time of great change for the town and the country with the growth of the hydro power plants along the river and the environmental impacts they had.

I’ve had the opportunity to visit Niagara Falls several times over the years, but I knew very little about its history, especially during the early days of hydro-electricity in Canada. I appreciated how the author fused the prominent issues of that time into the story. It explored the environmental and moral sacrifices these advances brought.

Buchanan crafted a fictional story that was inspired by the real life River Man William “Red” Hill and his heroic rescues. I enjoy when a historical fiction gives the reader a good image of how daily life was during a specific time period and I felt The Day the Falls Stood Still did just that.

It took me some time to really get into the story. It wasn’t until the end that I really understood what drew Bess and Tom together. However once I was hooked, I became very immersed in the plot. I also liked the old photographs that began each section.

I would recommend Cathy Marie Buchanan’s The Day the Falls Stood Still to historical fiction fans.  

The Little Shadows by Marina Endicott

The Little Shadows
By: Marina Endicott 

Published: September 2011

Published By: Doubleday Canada

Format Read: Hardcover

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 3/5 

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After their Father’s untimely death, sisters Aurora, Clover and Bella set out to make a living as performers in Vaudeville. Under the instruction of their Mother (a former performer in her own right) they travel western Canada and the north-western United States with their singing and dancing act, before and during World War I.

Vaudeville was a popular form of entertainment that featured a variety of acts beginning in the late 19^th century. Marina Endicott’s The Little Shadows is set just before and during the years of World War I. It is a form of entertainment that I have never read about before, so I was intrigued to discover what it was all about. The author drew influence from Buster Keaton and the Pantages theaters. 

It was evident that the acts enjoyed at these shows were quite different than what is standard in the present day.  Endicott painted a detailed picture of the in’s and out’s of theater life, both on stage and behind the curtain. Also described in detail was the different performances including song lyrics. Unfortunately I found this to become tedious to read after a few chapters.

At over 500 pages in length, it took me quite a while longer to finish this book, than I hoped. This was due in part to the fact that I had a hard time connecting with the sisters. The plot felt quite drawn out and anti-climactic.

Thankfully my interest began to pick up during the last 100 pages or so. I found this book to be written beautifully and the language rang true to the time period. I also liked the way each chapter was divided and named.

Even though I didn’t exactly love this book, I would still recommend The Little Shadows by Marina Endicott to those who enjoy historical fiction with a focus on entertainment. 

Skeletons in the Attic (A Marketville Mystery, #1) by Judy Penz Sheluk

Skeletons in the Attic
(A Marketville Mystery, #1)
By: Judy Penz Sheluk

Published: August 2016
Published By: Imajin Books
Format Read: Kindle for PC
Genre: Mystery

Rating: 3.5/5
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I was sent a copy of Skeletons in the Attic (A Marketville Mystery Book 1) by Judy Penz Sheluk, from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Valentines Day, 1986 was the last day Calamity “Callie” Barnstable ever saw her mother. She never knew what had become of her, all those years being raised by a single father and time blurred the few memories she had of the woman. Did she just up and leave behind her husband and small child? Callie’s father suspected something far more sinister. However it wasn’t until his untimely death, 30 years later that Callie would begin to uncover the truth about what happened all those years ago. Her inheritance would take her back to the town of Marketville and the house they had lived in during the time of her mother’s disappearance. Skeletons in the Attic follows Callie as she works to fulfill her father’s last wish of solving the mystery, while renovating the family home.

Skeletons in the Attic is the second book I have read by local author Judy Penz Sheluk. Even though her first book The Hanged Man’s Noose is from a different series, I was pleasantly surprised to see one of its characters make a guest appearance in this book. Another similarity I appreciated was that the settings are loosely based on locations in Southern Ontario that I am familiar with. This made it so easy for me to imagine them in my mind.

If one were to judge a book by it’s over they may think that this first book in the Marketville Mystery series is a cozy mystery. However there is definitely more meat to Judy Penz Sheluk’s writing than that. I find that her stories have tended to be a bit darker than those in that genre and with a lot more backstory.

It was interesting to follow along as more and more skeletons came out of the attic, so to speak. And there were certainly plenty to uncover, from just about everyone relating to the mystery of Abby Barnstable’s disappearance.

Unfortunately I had trouble warming up to our main character Callie. I felt her to be quite detached on a personal level and lacked compassion. However I do understand that this was a product of how she was raised. I never quite understood why her father chose to have her investigate  the way he did. Surely a man who loved his daughter as much as the story claimed would have found a less cruel way to approach her mother’s disappearance.

All in all I found Skeletons in the Attic to be an interesting mystery that kept my attention throughout. I can’t help but wonder what direction the author will take the second book in this series, as there are plenty of shady characters from this book who could be expanded on. 

Banished from Our Home: The Acadian Diary of Angelique Richard (Dear Canada) by Sharon Stewart

Title: Banished from Our Home: The Acadian Diary of Angelique Richard (Dear Canada)
Author: Sharon Stewart
Published: 2004
Published By: Scholastic Canada
Format Read: Hardcover
Genre: Middle-grade, Historical Fiction
Date Read: May 15, 2016
Rating: 4/5

12 year old Angelique Richard was born and raised on her family’s farm in Grand Pre, an Acadian settlement which was located in present day Nova Scotia. In 1775 the British took over the land and began placing restrictions on the Acadian people. Banning them from travelling, using their boats and even owning and operating firearms. Eventually all the men and boys (including Angelique’s father and brothers) would be arrested. This installment of the Dear Canada series follows the young girl’s experiences in the days leading up to and following the expulsion of the Acadian people, from their homes and land.

The Dear Canada series is a collection of middle-grade books that follow children living through some of the biggest events in our country’s history. I have several on my ‘to be read’ list, but this is the first one I have had the opportunity to read so far.

It is important to teach the younger generations of our history so that it isn’t lost and forgotten. This Dear Canada series is wonderful because it describes the specific events in ways that middle-grade readers can understand.

Banished from Our Home wasn’t bogged down with the politics of the situation. Instead it gave a quick snapshot of everyday Acadian life and their traditions. The descriptions of their farms and the Grand Pre area sounded absolutely beautiful.

Angelique was a brave and likable character who fought to keep her family together during such a traumatic time. Also included in this book is a more detailed history of the Acadian expulsions and heritage, pictures, maps and a glossary of the French words that were used throughout the story.

Reading this book has really sparked my interest in learning more about the Acadian (now referred to as Cajun) culture and their people. I would recommend Banished from Our Home to anyone interested in Canadian history, especially those who read middle-grade fiction. 

The Girls They Left Behind by Bernice Thurman Hunter

Title: The Girls They Left Behind
Author: Bernice Thurman Hunter
Published: March 2005
Published By: Fitzhenry & Whiteside
Format Read: Trade Paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Canadian Fiction
Date Read: May 13, 2016
Rating: 4/5

In the summer of 1943, seventeen year old Beryl (or Natalie as she would prefer to be called) began to write in a diary she named Dolores. A regular event has been seeing off local boys with a hug, kiss and promise to write at Union Station as they head off to war. However none of these departures could compare to saying goodbye to her cousin and best friend Carmen. Natalie describes life in war-time Toronto, attending dances with servicemen, seeing newsreels about invasions and reading lists with the names of those who would not return. She would join the war effort working first at The John Ingalls Company making machine guns, then for De Havilland making Mosquitoes.

I was first introduced to Bernice Thurman Hunter’s books in elementary school with her trilogy about a young girl growing up in Toronto during the Great Depression. “Booky” instantly became one of my favourite books. However it wasn’t until recently that I came across The Girls They Left Behind after all these years. While I do plan to purchase a copy for my own at some point, I couldn’t wait to read it especially after I saw it on the shelf at my local library.

In The Girls They Left Behind, Natalie is feeling left behind as the boys she grew up with are sent away to war. The author wrote this story with her own memories from that time period in mind. Fortunately young women of the past several generations haven’t had to deal with losses of the magnitude from Thurman Hunter’s generation. Though I felt that she wrote the character of Natalie with traits that girls of today could still relate to.

The most enjoyable part of this book for me was the cultural and setting references from that time. Including the fashion, responsibilities, family dynamics and more specifically the locations around the city. It gave a quick glimpse of life in Canada during the turbulent years of war. The diary and letter style format made for a fast and enjoyable read.

Unfortunately Bernice Thurman Hunter was in the middle of writing Natalie’s story when she passed away in 2002. Her daughter Heather Anne Hunter would complete writing it in her honor and I believe she would be proud of how it all came together.

The Girls They Left Behind is young adult fiction, but I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in historical fiction focusing on the home front during wartime. 

Steak in a Drawer by Eric Conroy

Title: Steak in a Drawer
Author: Eric Conroy
Published: 2012
Published by: Markplan Inc.
Format Read: Paperback
Genre: Non-fiction
Date Read: January 6 2016
Rating: 4/5

In the summer of 1963, at the age of 17, Eric Conroy would take a summer job that he would cherish long after his last shift. With the help of an acquaintance and claiming to be a year older, Conroy got a job waiting tables on the CPR passenger liner SS Keewatin. 

“The Mighty ship Keewatin” sailed between Port McNicoll on Georgian Bay (Lake Huron) to present day Thunder Bay (Lake Superior) from 1912-1966. Steak in a Drawer chronicles the two summers Conroy spent on the ship and what life was like sailing on the great lakes. 

In 1967 the SS Keewatin was saved from a scrapyard by a Michigan man by the name of R.J. Peterson and turned into a floating museum. In this second edition of Steak in a Drawer, Conroy includes the journey it took to bring the ship back to its rightful home in Port McNicoll, Ontario. 

I left home at 17
Ran away with a Great Lakes Queen
Prettiest girl I'd ever seen
The Might Ship Keewatin
                              -Albert Hall

It started with a tour:

A couple of years ago I went on a tour of the SS Keewatin, which is now open to visitors as a floating museum. During the tour our guide led us through the beautiful dining room. Near the back, just outside the kitchen entrance was an ornate hutch that the servers used. The lady began to tell us the story of how a certain waiter would use a drawer in the hutch to hide an extra plateful of food, which he would save for himself to eat after his shift. The waiter she mentioned is one Eric Conroy, author of this book and the story being its namesake. After the conclusion of our tour, I took a look in the gift shop and found this very book for sale. I was eager to learn more about what it was like sailing the Great Lakes and wanted to help support the operations of the museum, so I picked up a copy.

Full to the brim

Steak in a Drawer is full to the brim with Conroy’s experiences serving on board the SS Keewatin in the early 1960’s. Although he only served for 2 seasons, he learned many lessons and always kept a space in his heart for her. Aside from his own personal stories and the ships history, he has also included numerous pictures of the SS Keewatin from her glory days, to her most present use as a museum. 

My reading experience

As a lover of history (especially that from my own province), this book was of great interest to me. Having been on the ship itself I was able to picture each of the locations mentioned. Conroy weaved some witty commentary in with historical facts which made for an entertaining reading experience. 

Remembering today

Unfortunately faster and more modern modes of transportation have replaced these beautiful old ships, like the SS Keewatin. However it is important to remember their roles sailing the Great Lakes, a task Conroy successfully has done with this book and his work in the museum. 

Recommendations:

I would recommend Steak in a Drawer to people interested in Ontario history including transportation and educational attractions. 

 For more information on the SS Keewatin visit the website:

http://www.sskeewatin.com/