Barnacle Love
CDN$ 17.61
It hurts so good - This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It is the kind of book I am always looking to read. Anthony De Sa captures both the bathos and the pathos of the immigrant experience. Anyone who is a second generation Canadian will be able to feel the exquisite pain of the family who doesn t quite fit into Canada but at the same time is losing the best of what they had in their country of origin and what the new country will never be able to give them. It charts the path of a family experience where everyone is right but it all somehow turns out wrong. Truly a wonderful book and it certainly deserved its place on the short list for the Giller prize. The writing is sublime. It is a winner.
Excellent Account of Portuguese Struggles - I could not put this book down. I am a first generation Canadian in Toronto and this book hit home for me. This book tells of the struggles of a Portuguese man and his family in the New World. The story that was told regarding passage to Canada was interesting and gave me some perspective on my parents sacrifices to come to this country. Also there were stories and details regarding growing up in the 70 s that I had forgotten and could relate too. I look forward to reading more from this author. An excellent read!!!
Beautiful and Haunting Story of an Portuguese Immigrant Family - Manuel was sent off to fish for his Portuguese village, as all other men and boys do. But he wanted more for his life, and wanted to get away from this life forever. This is the story about him and his family s immigrant experience in Canada.This is said to be a book of linked stories, however, I read it as a novel. I loved the breath taking descriptions of both Portugal and Canada. Anthony De Sa paints a beautiful, at times haunting portrait of the immigrant experience. With sumptuous prose, he tells of the ups and downs of the Rebelo family. The only thing that I found difficult, is when the narrator changes from father to son, it took me a little while to figure out that the son took over.That said, I recommend this beautiful small book. In this case, good things do come in small packages!