I had requested a few books from NeWest Press awhile ago, so I had Darwin’s Moving by Taylor Lambert on my shelf for at least a few weeks, if not months. Then, at my most recent Wordfest event, I came across someone who looked vaguely familiar to me, although I wasn’t sure why. After introducing myself, I realized it was from an author photo that I recognized this person-Taylor Lambert had written a book that was currently sitting on my shelf, among 60-ish others that I was supposed to be writing a review for. “Shit”, I thought, “I better read this one now that I’ve met the guy, plus NeWest is probably wondering where the hell these reviews are”. I have enormous guilt about all the books waiting on my shelf, mainly because 95% of them have been given to me in exchange for an honest review, so I’m constantly letting people down, whether it be a local author who made sure I got a copy of their book, to a major publisher who keeps my shelves well-stocked on a year-round basis. Life is tough as a book blogger, I know.
Anywho, I picked up the slim volume of Darwin’s Moving, having no idea what it was about. I quickly discovered it is a non-fiction account of the author’s time working as an actual mover for Darwin’s Moving, a real moving company in Calgary. This book has made its way into my hands at at the most opportune time actually, because I’m moving homes in a few weeks and had just finished hiring our moving company (not Darwin’s, someone else). So, reading a book about a moving company is PARTICULARLY interesting to me right now.
Lambert offers us a somewhat disjointed narrative, he bounces between stories of specific moving days, an explanation of how he became a part-time mover, and a focus on three main people in the company: Darwin the owner, and Keith, and Jesse two of his movers. Both Jesse and Keith have been in jail, hurt people, and been addicted to illegal drugs and alcohol, unfortunately they both still struggle with these demons, so they aren’t the most reliable movers, although they are both customer favourites, giving 110% when they do show up for work. Darwin is a hard-working, kind-hearted boss who believes in second and third chances.
Is this beginning to sound a bit strange to you? A book laying bare the difficulties of an actual company that currently conducts business? I’m personally shocked that Darwin allowed this book to bear his company’s name and be published in the first place BUT Lambert is quick to point out that the movers at Darwin’s are no different that most movers in the industry-many have criminal records and struggle with addictions. In fact, Lambert is clearly smitten with Darwin and all his co-workers, he cares about them a great deal and uses their stories to demonstrate a class divide so rarely acknowledged in our city. Guys who are on and off the streets are usually discussed as a topic, rather than human beings. Here, Lambert has truly shown us the humanity behind these (often) scary but misjudged figures.
Author and Journalist Taylor Lambert
A perfect example of the dichotomy that these men embody is near the beginning of the book; Keith is sitting down with some clients after a big move, and he notices that one of their children runs away with a pair of scissors so he quietly yet urgently alerts the parents to ensure no one gets hurt. But we also learn that Keith has beaten men to a bloody pulp in a drug-induced stupor, so is he a monster? It’s difficult to blame him for his actions, as horrible as they are, when we learn what he experienced as a child. Many would crumble under the stresses he has endured.
So there you have it; I question the business decisions behind publishing a book that will scare off potential customers, but I urge everyone to read this nonetheless. This is an important story that every Calgarian (and beyond!) should read because veryone deserves to have their story told, especially those in Darwin’s Moving.
This sounds kind of interesting. I think I am going to have to check it out. Esp. since I am moving again.
yes! It’s a really unique book, there’s not much like it out there
Gosh, that is a stange business decision! Any time I’ve moved I’m always stunned (and sometimes horrified) at the amount of sheer physical labour these guys do. I once lived three stories up – no elevator – and I swear I kept expecting one of them to have a heart attack! It made me feel kinda guilty about all those boxes of books…
hahah boxes are books are probably nothing for them! Now grandfather clocks and pianos, that’s a different story…
haha love that cat gif!! This sounds really interesting- great review!
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How did the author get involved with this company? Was he the one whose kid ran off with the scissor and wanted to learn more about the movers? I’m always keeping an eye out for businesses that hire former convicts. This is really, really important, but can also feel like a huge risk. If someone used to rob people, do you want them working for you? To me, it’s all a question of what do we mean by “owing a debt to society”? If a person serves time associated with a crime, doesn’t that make them “debt free” to society? If so, why do we still treat them like criminals? I think that my questions demonstrate how the system is broken both in public and prison.
The author heard of the company through a friend because he was looking for some part-time work, and ended up working there on and off because he’s an author he doesn’t have a stable income, so he moves for them every once in a while to make a quick buck.
I agree that it’s a huge risk to hire convicts, but he makes the point that it’s very common for moving companies to hire people with criminal records so…not sure if that makes you feel better or worse LOL
I so get the guilt about getting a book for free in exchange for an honest review and it’s still in my Kindle, unread…sigh.
yes! I know most book bloggers do, but when the tbr pile gets bigger and bigger..you feel worse and worse!
This sounds really unique. And I love the cover. On the list it goes!