The Poet's House

The Poet’s House by Jean Thompson 320 pages

Author Jean Thompson is new to me. I really enjoyed her writing, and in reading about her and this book in various book newsletters and magazines, it sounds as though I am missing something by not reading her work.

While poetry is at the heart of this novel, this book is not about poetry. Art, yes. Poetry. No. There is also a mystery in the story that mostly stays in the background until near the conclusion.

Twenty-one-year-old Carla is a landscape artist. She has no plans; nothing seems to excite her, except hard work. A community college dropout, Carla feels stupid and unteachable. Unfortunately, she is suffering from un-diagnosed form of dyslexia; she doesn’t process the written word as others do. 

Carla likes her job. It makes sense to her. However, she life is drastically changed when she hears one of her clients, Viridian, reading her poetry aloud. She gets it!

Like Viridian’s friends and colleagues, Carla is drawn to the seventy-ish Viridian. She just wants to be around her, and Viridian notices her. For the first time in her life, Carla feels noticed. She begins to find excuses to go to Viridian’s where she meets all kinds of interesting and quirky people.

And if art is the heart of this novel, the mystery of a lost collection of poetry is its pulse. Viridian’s past lover---the great poet, Mathias---supposedly burned his last poetry collection. But no one seems to believe that he would do such a thing. Most people believe that Viridian has hidden it. But no one can claim to have ever seen it or where it could possibly be. And most don’t understand why Viridian doesn’t haul it out and put it on the auction block, since she is struggling financially. And as her physical health declines, what will become of the lost masterpiece?  Only readers of the book will know.

I enjoyed reading “The Poet’s House,” and it receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world. 

 

The Forgotten Home Child

The Forgotten Home Child by Genevieve Graham  384pages

Fans of Christina Baker Kline’s Orphan Train will love this latest novel from Genevieve Graham.  This story is also about the relocation of children, much like what happened here in in America between 1854 and 1929.  This story, however, is how the British relocated destitute children to Canada between 1869 and 1948. During that time it is estimated that more than 120,000 children between the ages of three and eighteen were taken from England’s streets and orphanages, or given up by their parents, and sent to Canada to be taken in by whoever would give them a home. Many were abused and neglected as there was no checks and balances systems to ensure they were well cared for. Graham based this novel on those children.

This story is framed by ninety-seven-year-old Winny, who was once one of those children. In 2018, her granddaughter drops the box when she is helping Winny move and a lifetime of memories tumble out.

Then the story goes back to 1936, which is the setting for the majority of the story. It follows Winny, Jack, his sister Mary, and two brothers, Edward and Cecil. The little band of five is all they have in the world to call their family.

Upon their arrival in Canada, they are split up---Jack, Edward and Cecil going to one farm while Mary and Winny are also split up.  Life is hard on the farms, the people entrusted with the youngsters treat them less than they do their animals. The live for the day when they can all be together again and make a home of their choosing.

At Winny’s new home, if she doesn’t finish her chores before the supper scraps are thrown out, the dogs get to eat while she goes to bed hungry. She is forced to sleep in the barn, but thank heavens for the sheep or she would freeze to death in the deep cold of a Canadian winter. At the farm where Mary has been sent, she is repeatedly raped by her “master.”  The boys are worked like mules and are often beat for the tiniest of infractions.

Much like Baker Kline’s Orphan Train, readers will get to know all five of the children intimately, but Winny takes the lead. This is a tale of loss, turbulence, resilience, second chances, adaptability, and courage. Be prepared to not get anything else accomplished once you start this wonderfully woven tale.

The Forgotten Home Child receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.