Mary Lawson (1) (1946–)

Road Ends by Mary Larson is set in Struan a fictional town in the North of Canada and revels the story of the intricacies and anguish of family life and how we face tragedy and the pull of responsibilities of family life.

I liked this novel but couldn't help wishing that I had read the author's first novel called Crow Lake and while Road Ends is a standalone novel there was references in the story that probably made more sense if you had read the first novel by this author. I have been told that there is a great sense of time and place from her first novel and wonderful descriptions of Canada.

The writing is strong and I love reading books set in Canada and I liked the descriptions of Canada in the grip of Winter and I loved reading about the dysfunctional Cartwright family. The story is told from three of the family's prospectives and the chapters flow between several years of these characters lives.

I would have liked a little more drama in the story which would have spiced up the novel but its a nice easy read and I may read her first two novels as they have got great reviews.… (more)

Told through three points of view, this is the story of two families in crisis, one in the past and one in the present and how they survive. Clara is eight years old and waits by a window for her sister Rosie to come home. Rosie ran away after an argument with her mother, cut off her hair and disappeared. Elizabeth is old and in hospital, first to find out what is wrong with her, and then never to return home. Liam has just split up with his wife of nine years and has been gifted Elizabeth's house by Elizabeth and moves into it, next door to Clara. There are secrets, revelations and arguments weaving their way backwards and forwards between the three voices, each setting off ripples on the lake. This is a quiet book but no less explosive for that.

There are also a host of minor characters, and it is Rosie, one of these that sets off the biggest explosion that impacts them all. And then there is Moses the cat who is the wool that plaits the strands, weaving in and out. He symbolises stability or permanence and is reluctant to show himself until the end.

Adults as liars

Throughout Clara's story we see adults who don't necessarily lie but who do withhold the truth from children and the devestating impact this has on her. She loses trust in the adults and develops behaviours or rituals to maintain her sanity based on her incomplete understanding of the situation. Liam, however, is trustworthy and accepting of her and helps to restore some balance in her life.

Finding comfort in the place we live

Don't we all do that? I have put roots down in the place where I live and find it difficult to even go on holiday. In Solace, everyone knows everyone else's business. Liam is known before he walks into the local shop for the first time and the policeman visits him at home to check him out. People are friendly, say hello when they pass you in the street and offer a place to hunker down after a marriage break up.

Lawson is very good at shining a light on ordinary people, the tragedy and highlights in their lives, the houses they live in and what needs repairing and the memories held within. The weather features, mostly the cold, and I was struck by Liam's six hour drive through the forest. It gives you a sense of scale and vastness of the place that the town is situated in and helps to anchor it as a refuge.

I thought the pacing of the book and the timing of the revelations was exquisite - there just when I was thinking that something must happen soon. I think that is the strength of having multiple voices because these little bombs can be delayed by switching voice and therefore focus. So, this is also one of the best uses of multiple narrators I have read in a while.… (more)