Travelling with Gershom

There is no doubt that Melissa Barbeau’s debut novel The Luminous Sea deserves to be a  Winterset Award nominee and finalist, along with Robert Chafe ’s play Between Breaths and Ebb & Flow by winner Heather Smith . At the public reading of the shortlisted works the evening before the winner was announced, I was intrigued by the story which seemed to mix science fact and science fiction and thought I’d give it a try. I’m glad I did. The story begins with a young marine researcher, Vivienne, out on the bay collecting research samples from the bay for a project trying to determine why the reasons for the recent phosphorescent tides in Damson Bay. She captures a creature, some kind of fish or other marine animal, that appears to be unique. Sounds like the start to any of a number of Alien-type movies. But The Luminous Sea is not about some monstrous beast from the unknown destroying anyone and anything it comes into contact with. Barbeau weaves science and magic to (re)te...

Last week the Winterset Award  was presented to my sister, Heather Smith , for her book Ebb & Flow . I hadn’t read the other two shortlisted works, so I decided to read them, starting with Between Breaths by  Robert Chafe . Dr. Jon Lien came to Newfoundland in 1968 as an animal behaviourist in Memorial University’s psychology department, and while his initial focus was on birds he eventually became internationally renowned for his work freeing whales who were trapped in fishing nets. Chafe’s play tells the story of this remarkable man, capturing Lien’s outsized personality, his passion, and his heart. Chafe also speaks to the Newfoundland experience in a respectful, clear-headed way that doesn’t portray folks from the outports as simple fishermen and avoids the condesending overtone of colonial era portrayals of the “noble bayman”. There is a short speech by Lien in the penultimate scene, where he tries to explain to his wife Judy why he goes out to rescue the whale...

In the Wreckhouse Membertou Birches Sicilian Afternoon Hanging on in South Dildo

This is an extraordinary book. Not something I say very often, but this is a book that stimulates the mind, heart, and soul. Ward crafts a compelling narrative that shifts from 17 th century Naples to the late 20 th century version, linking them through the creation of Caravaggio’s The Seven Acts of Mercy and its impact on viewers today. He tells the story of how Caravaggio ended up in Naples and of the commissioning of this magnificent painting, interwoven with a fictionalised account of the life and creative process of the artist that rings true. The Guardian of Mercy is also the account of the transformative impact of this painting on an ordinary, simple man, and of its effect on a family and on the author and his wife. This is personal, intimate, and compelling stuff, written with a contagious passion for Caravaggio, the painting, and Angelo, the guardian of the title, that draws you unrelentingly back to the seven acts depicted in the artwork. Ward breaks the painting ...

I was excited to read this book, a collection of sermons and writings by Pope Francis, because I was interested in getting a deeper understanding of the pope’s perspectives on many of the issues he discusses in it. The publisher describes the book as “a beautifully curated collection of excerpts from the homilies and writings of Pope Francis, all centering on Christianity as a way of life—or, as the earliest Christians would have understood it, ‘the Way’.” It is a book about discipleship, how to follow Jesus, and carries the theme of “the way” throughout, contemplating The Way of the Cross, The Way of Prayer, The Old Testament Way, and others. Having been raised Catholic but since becoming a Salvationist, I was curious to see if and where Pope Francis departed from what I have seen as traditional Catholicism. Many of his public statements have certainly raised the ire of the more conservative elements of the Catholic Church even as they have been celebrated by many Catholics and ...

Most of the British detective novels I read feature a Detective Inspector as their main character (and occasionally a Detective Chief Inspector). I am a big fan of British police procedurals, including those by Ian Rankin (John Rebus), Elizabeth George (Tommy Lynley), Mark Billingham (Tom Thorne), and Graham Hurley (Joe Faraday), among others, all of whose main characters are DIs. I also enjoy Stuart MacBride’s gritty series set in Glasgow, which has as its lead Detective Sergeant Logan McRae. MacBride and Slater are consistent in their presentation of the lot of the Detective Sergeant; like McRae, DS Peter Gayle is charged with the practical, day-to-day tasks of the investigation, reporting back to a DI who is likely occupied with more than one case. The DS works at the coal face: dealing with leads, interviewing witnesses, trudging through fields. He is focused on the procedure, the proven steps that generate results. As a result, Nowhere to Run gives you the dogsbody view of ...

No, this is not about the Muppets. Although, that's not a bad idea... I have enjoyed some very good food on this trip to Sweden, and thought I would share tonight's meal with you. But first, last week I attended a conference on the fascinating island of Gotland, in the Baltic Sea (more about Gotland later) and the closing dinner was held at the Visby golf club. The chef introduced the meal, speaking about his focus on fresh, seasonal local ingredients. And it was superb. From the starter of leek soup, through the main course of lamb three ways, to the dessert of cheesecake with local berries, everything was bright, fragrant, and flavourful. The localness shone though, and each item was perfectly cooked. A memorable meal, which was better than the one eaten two nights later in Stockholm.  Lux Dag by Dag has the same approach as the culinary team on Gotland - use only the freshest local ingredients available to create the menu for the day. Having a Michelin star heightened ...

This great R&B song, released in 1965 and originally performed by Fontella Bass, is as infectious today as it was when it first hit the charts. I don't think it is simply the beat, or the fabulous vocal, that  reaches people (although they certainly do). I think it touches us because it speaks to a fundamental need: "can't you see that I'm lonely?". We need to be loved, but more importantly we need to know that we are loved. In our fragility, our weakness, we often do not feel assured we are loved by the people in our lives. As circumstances change, so we think love goes: she's disappointed, he's angry, he's hurt, they're unhappy...and therefore she, he or they don't really love me. But love trancends these things. Love is patient, is kind, does not envy, does not boast, said Paul to the Corinthians (his first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 1-13). "Hang on," you say. "That's not how I have experienced ...

We watch a lot of TV. Much of what's on these days is pretty bad, but there are some shining moments. We tend to like mysteries, detective shows and classic police procedurals, as well as action/thriller type programs. Our tastes run to modern British mysteries, such as Inspector Lynley and the BBC update of Sherlock. But there are some North American shows that meet the mark as well. Person of Interest is a smart thriller that combines high tech with physical action. Most importantly, it features two strong leads in Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson, plus a solid supporting cast.We also enjoy Elementary, the modern American take on Holmes and Watson, with the excellent Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock and the superb Lucy Liu as  Joan Watson. Both are highly recommended. But the best show on TV is Justified. A modern day Western,  it follows Deputy US Marshal Raylan Givens, a Kentucky native who wants no more than to stay out of Kentucky, and of course ends up back there. Funn...

Really. EPIC  is an outstanding restaurant at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. We went there for dinner last Friday after the York University convocation, where Eldest Child received her M.A. in clinical psychology. A superb meal in a lovely setting sums it up. Friday evening's they feature live jazz music, which provided a nice backdrop to the meal. The service was good, not exceptional, but certainly acceptable. But the food was brilliant. The beef tartar was light, and full of flavour, nicely spiced and presented beautifully.The rack of lamb was cooked perfectly, accompanied by grits, which I learned I do not like. Dessert, pictured below,was also very good. An apple and maple cobbler with iced sour cream, a marvelous alternative to traditional ice cream (even though I do love ice cream!). You can find out more about EPIC at  http://www.epicrestaurant.ca/ . Very highly recommended.

An inventive, engaging, and intelligent book, Matthew Flaming’s The Kingdom of Ohio surprised, intrigued, and delighted me. Set primarily in New York in the early 1900s, Flaming tells the tale of Peter Force and Cheri-Anne Toledo, his narrator a present-day antiques dealer who uncovers an old photograph of the pair and relates their s tory to us. When we meet him, Peter has just arrived in New York and soon secures employment as a labourer, working underground digging subway tunnels. He meets Cheri-Anne, who is beautiful, sophisticated, and perhaps crazy. Even though he is unsettled by much of what she says, talking of kingdoms and of studying with the famous Nikola Tesla and of not knowing how she got to New York, Peter is attracted to Cheri-Anne and helps her as she tries to understand what has happened to her. As we follow them as they attempt to solve this mystery, we are presented with another. Who is the narrator, and how does he – or she – know so much about what happened to ...

We Are All Made of Glue raises questions of age, race, class, culture, religion, and politics as it explores the improbable friendship between Georgie Sinclair and Naomi Shapiro, recounting Georgie's struggle to deal with major changes in her life and her efforts to uncover the mysterious past of her elderly friend. Greed, hatred, love, passion, the end of the world, and more than perhaps you ever wanted to know about glue and other adhesives contribute to what could have been a confusing and cluttered journey from present-day London to World War II Europe, and through more than 60 years of Palestinian politics. But Lewycka guides us nicely, with only a few minor detours before reaching a well-crafted destination that draws together the various themes and sub-plots. That she does this so effectively is critical to the success of the book. Failing to do so would make the eccentricities of the characters and for a trade magazine feel totally contrived, a feeling which is raised a fe...

As I have mentioned in two earlier posts, I have been learning to trust God over the last few months. While there has been much happening in my life this past twelve months, two events have precipitated some anxiety and worry for me (and those around me). As anyone who has been overseas for an extended period can tell you, moving back to your home country is a stressful event, even when you are ready and as mentally prepared to return as we were. Getting settled back in the house, straightening out school for our youngest, taking on new roles at work, managing an overall reduction in salary, it all adds up pretty quickly. But that was going reasonably well. Then the unexpected happened: I was out of a job. Now the worry levels rose to new heights, especially given the economic situation the world is in. What is most interesting about this time is that God used people I knew to direct me to himself. The earliest instances of this I have commented on earlier, and you can read about it he...

In the Lord of the Rings trilogy my favourite character was Aragorn, the ranger from the north descended from the kings of former times, a man who is brave, noble, and loyal. In the recent movies, he was wonderfully portrayed by Viggo Mortensen, who brought Aragorn to life in full. I have been watching season one of ROME this week, and feel about Lucius Vorenus much as I do about Aragorn. Kevin McKidd ably plays Vorenus as a man who is out of his time in many ways. His bravery is not in doubt, a heroic soldier in the 13th Legion. His also loyal, to his leader, to Rome, and mostly to his old friend Titus Pullo. Deeply moral, he is often conflicted about things in the deeply immoral world he lives in. Vorenus' character often gets him into trouble, as his behaviour is often at odds with the culture. Both Aragorn and Vorenus remind me of the things I aspired to as a young man and try to live up to today. A passion for justice, and compassion for others. A sense of duty, and doing one...

Whenever my wife or I have to travel on business and have to away from each other for more than a few days, we find the time apart difficult. And when these mercifully infrequent trips occur, as one is at the moment, we try and connect for a few minutes by telephone each day. Busy-ness and time differences can make it challenging to get more than a few minutes to talk at the end of someone's day, so we always try to cut to the chase and talk about the most important thing. You know what I mean...the daily routine of our lives. In those moments we reconnect by recounting our days, and we feel like we have been part of the other's life even while we have been apart. We commiserate, advise, celebrate, share news, and so on, nothing special...but actually very special. The stuff of our day to day existence - work, conversations, struggles, victories - is what makes up our lives. We share it when we are together, when we come home at the end of the day, and by sharing it when we are...

It seems to be very popular to complain about Christians and their intolerance, and to cite religion generally (and often Christianity in particular) as a source of evil in the world. This opinion is expressed in books and blogs, the media, and in private conversations. As a Christian, let me expound a little on this view of Christians. Most of the time, the complaint is deserved. We behave badly, in a non-Christian manner, and end up defaming Christ. This is partly due to human weakness - is there any leader or follower of a political or social movement who has not fallen or failed in one way or another? - but in some (and the most important) instances it is more than that.  We all expect people to lose their temper, make mistakes, and the like. The real problem is that when we are presented with an issue like abortion or gay marriage we fail to think first and respond later. In fact, I would go farther: we fail to think. Following Christ is not about a set of rules and regulations th...

I just finished two excellent books, which, when I started out, didn't seem related at all. The first, Michael Pollan's  In Defense of Food , is an entertaining and fascinating look at the impact of science, business, and journalism on what we eat. The second is Born to Run , by Christopher McDougall, an examination of the nature of humanity wrapped in an adventure story. Both Pollan and McDougall are fine writers, able and engaging storytellers dealing with a complex central argument in a compelling way. Pollan tackles food science and the food industry, McDougall sports medicine and sports footwear.  In its opening section, In Defense of Food traces the rise of nutritionism, evaluating food in terms of its component micro-parts - vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants, and the like - the reductionist view of what we eat. Next, Pollan considers what we eat and why we eat it, cataloguing the Western diet and gradual industrialization of food. Finally, he offers what he calls "p...

Reason #1: Better Source Material Dan Brown is not a good writer. He is a very good storyteller, especially when all the action takes place in one day. Angels & Demons is a much better story and is better told than The Da Vinci Code. Reason #2: A Stronger Supporting Cast In The Da Vinci Code, Paul Bettany steals the movie as the murderous monk Silas, even though the cast features Ian McKellen, Jean Reno, Jurgen Prochnow, and Alfred Molina. The supporting players in Angels & Demons all put in very good performances, and manage to heighten intrique and interest in a film that badly needs it due to the sleepwalking Tom Hanks. The police officers played by Pierfrancesco Favino, Thure Lindhart, and David Pasquesi are excellent, as are the always reliable Stellan Skarsgard as the head of the Swiss Guard and Armin Mueller-Stahl as Cardinal Strauss. And Ewan McGregor puts in a solid performance in the critical role of the Camerlengo. Reason #3: Less Controversy, More S...

By now, you have likely seen Susan Boyle from Britain's Got Talent (if you've been wandering on the outer fringes of Borneo for the last 10 days, click here to see it). The 47-year old was laughed at when she came out on stage and announced her dream of being a singer, hoping to be as successful as Elaine Paige. One young woman in the audience smirked and derisively rolled her eyes. Why this reaction? Susan is not beautiful, slim, young, blonde, or any of the other things we have been conditioned to associate with the music industry, or with the entertainment industry generally. It is that simple. She didn't fit the picture - Christina, Britney, Madonna, Beyonce, and the like - so people expected her to be an untalented joke. And then she sang, and blew the room away. Susan Boyle is a wonderful singer. But what if she wasn't? What if she was tone deaf? Or if she had simply walked off the stage in the face of the reception she received? There probably would not have bee...

My dear wife sent me a note in response to my last post. Trudy reminded me of something important: when strangers speak to us, we have an opportunity to brighten their day. And while she was too gracious to say it, we have an obligation to interact with them, to love them. The flip side to the problem of uncensored self-exposure discussed earlier is unreflective withdrawal. I forget that we are all wounded (me included), and that grace received must become grace extended. Too often I retreat, preferring to escape the situation than to engage in it. While he probably wasn't thinking of all this (though maybe a variation of it), Wordsworth comments on the source of both sides of the problem, and their solution, in the fourth book of his long autobiographical poem The Prelude : When from our better selves we have too long Been parted by the hurrying world, and droop, Sick of its business, of its pleasures tired, How gracious, how benign, is Solitude; How potent a mere image of her swa...