Now THAT'S a novel!  I've just finished what is just about the best Canadian novel I've read this year.  It's That Forgetful Shore, Trudy Morgan-Cole's story about two friends whose seemingly linked life paths diverge in the aftermath of educational opportunities and economic concerns, WWI, and the inevitable twists and turns of individual choices and secrets.  Kit and Triffie, from a small fishing village in early 20th century Newfoundland, are twin souls, best friends, and share a love of learning, books, and adventure.  Inevitably, life tests their ambitions and their loyalties.

The characterization is organic, the story is compellingly straightforward and (thank the literary muses all) gimmick free (I can't tell you how tedious I'm beginning to find the current climate of lit fict in Canada with its often overwrought 'experimentation' of prose forms and language, coupled with the obvious MFA influence on what is 'authentically Canadian' .  . . but I digress).  Secrets, lies, betrayals, scandal are woven seamlessly into the natural progression of a human life.  These people are believably real, with motivations that make sense.  


Kit and Triffie make their way in a world divided by gender, class, war, and money.  While Kit makes good on many of her childhood dreams only to find that those dreams aren't quite as satisfying as she'd hoped, Triffie finds herself locked in a world defined by fishing, the weather, and debt. Her only escape is the emotional release of a religious life that none of her friends or family understands. How will a childhood friendship endure the inevitable slings and arrows?  What is the importance of friendship, anyway?  Such a human tale is That Forgetful Shore. So enjoyable. A story I could really sink into and think about and live through with the characters.