Canadian-Literature : Three Day Road

Three Day Road

CDN$ 16.06


Joseph Boyden s first novel is the story of two Cree friends, Xavier and Elijah, who leave their pristine northern country to end up in the horrific trenches of World War I. Loosely based on the real life of a famous Canadian sniper, the story is told from two first-person views: those of Xavier and his old aunt and only living relative, Niska. After the war, Niska is taking her wounded nephew back home north to the bush in a canoe. Their trip is the three-day road of the title, which also refers to the journey taken after death. The story of the war is told in flashbacks on this journey as Xavier recovers from morphine addiction. Niska also relates various stories to Xavier, believing there is medicine in the tale. Boyden is a natural storyteller. Both the Native tales of the north and the grim accounts of the war in France and Belgium have the ring of truth. His images can be subtly appropriate--raiders who go over the top are eaten by the night--and his characterizations are excellent, especially the three main players and Xavier s Canadian trenchmates. Eventually, Elijah seems to feed on the death all around him, becoming a windigo, while Xavier begins to question the sanity of the war and his friend s growing madness, realizing we all fight on two fronts, the one facing the enemy, the one facing what we do to the enemy. Not for the squeamish reader, this is a powerful novel that takes a new angle on a popular subject, the war to end all wars. --Mark Frutkin

Amazing historical fiction about the Aboriginal experience in World War I - I m so glad I read this novel for a local library book club pick. It is the story of three Aboriginals - Xavier, his aunt Niska, and his best friend Elijah who are impacted by World War I. The plot is skillfully woven, going back and forth between Xavier and Elijah s active combat duty as snipers, and Niska s isolated and fiercely independent existence near Moose Factory, Ontario. Xavier and Niska have clear, strong, and reticent narrative voices that describe the pain of war, racism, and addiction in a most stunningly haunting and memorable way. All three of the main characters are on a journey that is unfair and unjust, and not all of them can heal their guilt and suffering. I love that this novel is not just another war novel - it is distinctive in recognizing the important Aboriginal experience and contribution to battles at the Somme, Ypres, and Vimy Ridge that have been largely ignored by mainstream media. Along with Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb, Three Day Road is the best novel I have read this year. Highly recommended. [Amy MacDougall]

Brilliant - I just finished the book and wanted to read it again. Couldn t put it down after a few chapters. The writing is a little amateur in a very few places, but the story makes up for that. It s just a fantastic book.

I cannot recommend this book enough - I love this book. It is definitely in the pack of books I would carry with me from a burning building. I read it 6 months ago or so, and recently browsed through it again for a book club discussion. I feel surprised with myself that a book with so many graphic descriptions of battles and death does not however make me put it on the list of books never to reread. For all the sadness and destruction it describes, still it does not leave me downhearted. I guess I see the characters struggles as an illustration of the strength of the human spirit, and specifically the strength of the aboriginal community. There are so many layers in this book - aboriginal integration - or not - and its sad consequences, friendship, war, madness - and each one is handled by the author with extreme skill. The language is beautiful, the characters well developed, the research into WWII remarkable. I look forward to reading more books by Boyden and cannot recommend this book enough.

Perfect shot - Everyone interested in First World War history, particularly from a Canadian perspective should read this book. But the subject matter is not the only reason to read Three Day Road. Powerfully written, this story will stay with you for a long time. Boyden has found a balance between a nearly poetic physical setting (of the boreal forest of Northern Ontario and the Western Front in Europe) and the descriptions of the characters and the dilemmas they face. Most of the story follows the two main characters (snipers serving with the Southern Ontario Rifles on the Western Front) but Boyden elegantly uses flashbacks in the story without slowing down the narrative. You will probably recognize many of the details of trench warfare from other reading. However, Three Day Road brings something original to this tradition of First World War fiction. Ultimately, this story is a tragedy. But if you are at all interested in First World War history or descriptions of the land and living in Northern Ontario, you will find yourself fully emersed in this one. You ll keep turning pages to uncover the fates of truly memorable characters. Three Day Road should have been a nominee for the GG awards or on the CBC Canada Reads list at least. Boyden s aim is pefect here. Enjoy.

Well Written! - Some of the war scenes were too gruesome for my tastes, but necessary. The stories Niska offered made up for the brutality. Well worth the read!I can hardly wait to see what Joseph Boyden does next!




Three Day Road