The All Canadian Story Book ....review by REEDSY

Worth reading 😎

A compilation of the author's work drawn from Canadian life with special

emphasis on the sea, family and friendship

SYNOPSIS

     The All Canadian Story Book is an anthology filled with original short

stories, a novella, feature articles, and evocative verse, all crafted by Peter

Lampman Clarke. His work has appeared in weekly journals and

newspapers, including an award-winning feature that earned first place in

the Dorothy Wenger Canadian Awards for Feature Articles.

     This collection offers a diverse mix of previously published material

alongside fresh, vigorous new pieces that add vitality and depth to the

book. The writing is consistently high in quality, providing a delightful and

engaging experience for readers. You'll find a bright and adventurous

journey through well-written content that reflects the richness and

diversity of Canadian life. From old timers to new favorites, each piece is

infused with positivity and creative flair, making it a true celebration of

storytelling.

     The 'Story Book' is also Guaranteed Angst Free as promised on the cover.

Be assured that all angst has been uprooted and meticulously weeded

from these pages.

     I enjoyed reading Peter Clarke's compilation of his works, showcasing his

ability to write short fiction and poetry and drawing on aspects of life

which are cited as Canadian but with which, I think, many readers will be

able to identify.

     We start off with a short story of friends. Whilst maybe being angst free as

the author proposes all his stories are, it sure is big on sentiment. It shows

the loss that can be felt when people who we have always held close pass

and I especially liked the ending of this with its cheeky glimpse into the

intimacy which sustained a relationship over the years. The story also

highlights one of the themes that goes through the whole collection, that

of friendship with other focuses being the sea and family.

     In amongst the short stories, there are non-fiction pieces and short

poems too which are easy to read and show that Clarke is a thoughtful

writer. Illustrations too are interspersed to complement the writing.

There are some stand out pieces which read well and, for me, feel the

most rounded out of the writing in this book. One favourite of mine is a

poem called "Wobbly Old Men" which is a rueful look at old age and how

old men, in the fact that they indulge themselves by looking back, may not

be so positively perceived by others. But to the old men, how they see

their lives in their memories contradicts the perception that others have

of them now. The last three lines of this are especially poignant, I think.

From the stories, I particularly liked "Scamp", a tale with a nice twist at the

end, of school and rogues and those that don't fit in; but it was also a tale

of redemption.

     In this book, there is nothing to tax you; the writing is gentle in what it

presents even if the stories contain themes which are confronting; like

homelessness and striving to survive, in the story of Jay from the novella

"Mentors". Despite this being about someone losing their way and

navigating through strange situations far from what they know, some a

little dodgy, there is nothing in the depictions Clarke conjures which

would unduly unsettle a reader.

     This would be a quick enjoyable read, for non-Canadians too.