Well, the Canada Day long weekend is now over, and it's time to start talking about this amazing book we've just read (or are still in the process of reading)! I'd love to hear your comments about Boyden's Three Day Road. Apparently, Boyden originally wrote the entire novel using a linear chronology, but then asked his publisher to hold off on assessing it. He spent a few months revising it, and voila!, it became the novel we have now read: its narrative is more circular, and the flashback war story is framed by the Niska/return narrative.
What do you think of this book? Do you find the characters likable? (Even Elijah?) How do you react to the subtheme of cannibalism? Niska herself is a strong character--do you find her likable?
This is the first historical novel to be written from the Native perspective--a landmark in itself. What aspects of Native participation in WWI were you familiar with prior to reading this book? Did you learn anything new from it?
On a side note, when I teach this book, I find that my students generally love it. However, one student once complained that the war scenes had become monotonous by the end of the novel--what do you think? Do you agree or disagree? What's the point of such graphic representations of war at the front line?
Our online book club starts with just one voice, so bring on your comments, at any time. We've got all month to talk about this book, though, so don't hesitate to just listen to others and weigh in when you're ready! We'll be here!
In the meantime, stay tuned for more postings from my end. I'll be posting links to interviews with Boyden, to his bio, and will be adding more questions as the week progresses!
This is my first Stephen Boyden book and I really am understanding what is meant by using the term "beautiful" when referring to something that is "Pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically." For example: "We set out early in the morning, my head crowded with too many thoughts, like children vying for attention so that I was unable to deal with any of them." This was Niska (my favorite character) speaking.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, the writing *is* beautiful, isn't it? Boyden was in Moncton two years ago, and when he read from his latest novel (Through Black Spruce), he read with such tenderness and respect for each word, it was a wonderful experience to hear him. As for Niska, she is also my favourite character. She is so admirable, but also historically believable--in that you can believe that she might have been just as headstrong and determined as Boyden portrays her, even though she lived a century ago. I found myself wishing that she could find 'true love', though; I kind of wish that Boyden could've written that in for her... It seems like she would have deserved it, especially when she was younger and somewhat hopeful for it!
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