Published: Feb. 21, 2012
Words: 38,008 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781465975645

Short description

This novel, based on actual events, follows the lives of James and Annabelle Wallace and their four daughters. Their triumphs and tragedies are interwoven with the town of Cushing, Quebec itself, and are set against the backdrop of a momentous period in Canadian history, 1850-1934.

Extended description

There was a time when the community of Cushing, Quebec was considered the vibrant "Heart of the Empire", at least by James and Annabelle Wallace, who settled there in the late 19th century. After their four beautiful daughters arrived to complete their family unit, the world was a perfect place, especially that part of the world called Cushing. This narrative, while based on actual events, is presented as a fictionalized account of the lives of the four Wallace sisters, interwoven with that of their parents, their families, and the town of Cushing itself. The backdrop for this novel, set between 1850 and 1934, is a huge tapestry of momentous events in Canadian history: the early commercial and social development of Montreal; the initial New York Bankers' chaos around 1907, ultimately widening its impact to become the great depression; The Great War of 1914-1919; and the Halifax Explosion, to name a few. Some of these events played a significant role in the lives of its population. F.. (Read more) There was a time when the community of Cushing, Quebec was considered the vibrant "Heart of the Empire", at least by James and Annabelle Wallace, who settled there in the late 19th century. After their four beautiful daughters arrived to complete their family unit, the world was a perfect place, especially that part of the world called Cushing. This narrative, while based on actual events, is presented as a fictionalized account of the lives of the four Wallace sisters, interwoven with that of their parents, their families, and the town of Cushing itself. The backdrop for this novel, set between 1850 and 1934, is a huge tapestry of momentous events in Canadian history: the early commercial and social development of Montreal; the initial New York Bankers' chaos around 1907, ultimately widening its impact to become the great depression; The Great War of 1914-1919; and the Halifax Explosion, to name a few. Some of these events played a significant role in the lives of its population. For others, the forces of history twirled around them and beyond them playing only minor roles in the more immediate triumphs and tragedies of their own lives.
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Tags

fiction, drama, tragedy, history

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Reviews

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Review by: Cathleen Hart on April 15, 2012 :
I give this book 5 Stars! (see review below)
Cathleen
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Cathleen Hart on April 15, 2012 : (no rating)
I finished Cushing practically in one sitting, I LOVED it!!!

I am so in to the story of the Wallace family! It was truly a great read, characters came alive, and such interesting historical details. i.e. the Halifax Fire which of course I had read about, but never in this kind of rich detail-- I felt right there, in the turmoil of that time. I wonder if your sequel novel will tell any more of the sisters or will carry on another branch of the family…
Off to bed with the wonderful stories playing out in my head!
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Dave Dent on March 15, 2012 :
Historical fiction is like time travel. The reader gets to visit another time and place, meet new people, share their lives, and experience their hardships and joys. Best of all, at the end we can retreat safely to the comforts of the present, better informed and a little wiser. In her first novel, Cushing, Marylou Miner makes the trip a luxurious one with her rich, flowing prose and lush turns of phrase.

Set against a formative period in Canadian history, 1850-1934, the story follows real events. Using Cushing, Quebec, as the foundation of her novel, Ms Miner shows us the power of place in all our lives. Opening the book is the unfortunate end to an unpleasant man. It is not until the final chapter that our suspicions are answered about how and why and by whom. In between, the tale charts the triumphs and misfortunes of James and Annabelle Wallace and their four daughters over several generations . The unseen narrator moves the story along at a rapid pace, weaving among the actors and actions with philosophical asides on life and family.

Highly recommended
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Starzz1 on Feb. 22, 2012 :
I just finished it!
It builds..I can't express my thoughts and emotions properly..only words that come right now are are shock and awe!

OMG

You are good!

I need a cigarette..............

Cheers,
Carol
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Linda Jane on Feb. 22, 2012 :
I LOVED this novel. I was transported back in time reading this book. I felt like I was in the room with these characters. I could almost smell the aroma of home baked goods coming from the kitchen, hear the crackling of the fire and feel the chill of a cold Quebec winter. The characters seemed like they could have been my own family that I was hearing stories about. The author has a very clever way of foreshadowing events that makes you feel compelled to keep reading. You just HAVE to find out what is going to happen next. I read the first 10 chapters in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. Then I picked it up the next day and finished it. I can't wait to read the promised follow-up novel.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

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