I enjoyed reading Peter Clarke’s compilation of his works, showcasing his ability to write short fiction and poetry and drawing on aspects of life which are cited as Canadian but with which, I think, many readers will be able to identify.
We start off with a short story of friends. Whilst maybe being angst free as the author proposes all his stories are, it sure is big on sentiment. It shows the loss that can be felt when people who we have always held close pass and I especially liked the ending of this with its cheeky glimpse into the intimacy which sustained a relationship over the years. The story also highlights one of the themes that goes through the whole collection, that of friendship with other focuses being the sea and family.
In amongst the short stories, there are non-fiction pieces and short poems too which are easy to read and show that Clarke is a thoughtful writer. Illustrations too are interspersed to complement the writing.
There are some stand out pieces which read well and, for me, feel the most rounded out of the writing in this book. One favourite of mine is a poem called “Wobbly Old Men” which is a rueful look at old age and how old men, in the fact that they indulge themselves by looking back, may not be so positively perceived by others. But to the old men, how they see their lives in their memories contradicts the perception that others have of them now. The last three lines of this are especially poignant, I think.
From the stories, I particularly liked “Scamp”, a tale with a nice twist at the end, of school and rogues and those that don’t fit in; but it was also a tale of redemption.
In this book, there is nothing to tax you; the writing is gentle in what it presents even if the stories contain themes which are confronting; like homelessness and striving to survive, in the story of Jay from the novella “Mentors”. Despite this being about someone losing their way and navigating through strange situations far from what they know, some a little dodgy, there is nothing in the depictions Clarke conjures which would unduly unsettle a reader.
This would be a quick enjoyable read, for non-Canadians too.
Rachel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Scuffed Granny 