Scan barcode
tjr's review against another edition
5.0
How could I not like No Great Mischief? This novel is about Elliot Lake, the town in which I was born, and also Sudbury, the town in which I currently reside. Oh, and there's some uranium mining and rugged Northern Ontario terrain thrown in for good measure. The story itself is not that bad either.
The impression I had when I read No Great Mischief was that of a novel made up of short stories. Each chapter was almost autonomous from the rest of the story. However, one could not understand them individually if they were not read as a whole.
Many geographic locations are covered in detail and this novel could almost be categorized as historical fiction as there is a lot of history found within the pages. No Great Mischief is a fine example of Canadian Fiction and would be a good addition to anyone's bookshelf.
The impression I had when I read No Great Mischief was that of a novel made up of short stories. Each chapter was almost autonomous from the rest of the story. However, one could not understand them individually if they were not read as a whole.
Many geographic locations are covered in detail and this novel could almost be categorized as historical fiction as there is a lot of history found within the pages. No Great Mischief is a fine example of Canadian Fiction and would be a good addition to anyone's bookshelf.
dessa's review against another edition
2.0
Some really poignant, pressing moments. But also a lot of heavy-handed exposition and too much of an attempt at a sweeping historical foundation. And too many references to the moon as the lamp of the poor. I'm glad I read it but I don't expect I'll read it again.
violettek's review against another edition
4.5
one of the most quietly beautiful books i have ever read
urastar's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
marilynsaul's review against another edition
3.0
This is a slow-reading and well-written book, filled with family and tradition. However, I couldn't finish it - primarily because I am plot driven and this had no plot. I was reminded of all the anthropology books I read in college that explored different cultures. The title of the book is appropriate. And I wearied skipping over all the Gaelic - it was distracting when you don't have a clue how to pronounce the words.
astewart1992's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved everything about this book, especially the narrative style. It's not a long story but it has so much so say about family, place, culture, the working class, what's lost and what's gained when progress comes to a rural area. I really liked how the book is not prescriptive. It doesn't tell you what to think but rather puts narratives , situations, and symbols side by side for comparison and its up to the reader to decide the significance.
spiderfelt's review against another edition
3.0
Looking for something about Nova Scotia to contrast with the reading I had done about Newfoundland, I picked up this title. Not only did it describe the landscape, but it provided a sense of the great Highland brotherhood that settled in Cape Breton generations ago.
Stylistically, I wasn't a fan of the work. There were narrative elements and writing devices used by the author which grated before long. Knowing that the author was an English professor, it seemed as if the work was too crafted, too structured.
Stylistically, I wasn't a fan of the work. There were narrative elements and writing devices used by the author which grated before long. Knowing that the author was an English professor, it seemed as if the work was too crafted, too structured.
siobhanward's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
A very Canadian-feeling book where everyone is named Alexander MacDonald and it's hard to keep track of who is who. However, the book was sad and happy and a really good multigenerational story. It moved quickly and was well-told, and just overall felt very Canadian.
christindal's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5