I can’t remember ever reading a book or story by Alistair MacLeod before today, but I do know I should be ashamed of this fact because he’s one of Canada’s greatest writers. Although he died in 2014, his legacy still lives on in his writing, as well as through his son Alexander MacLeod (pictured below) who is a successful writer in his own right, and not too hard on the eyes either. Just sayin’.
Alexander MacLeod, photo credit Heather Crosby
Anyway, I read Alistair Macleod’s last published short story “Remembrance”, in honour of Remembrance Day coming up in a few days. It was commissioned by Hal Wake and the Vancouver Writers Festival as a limited edition chapbook, and Hal being a very dear and generous friend, sent me a signed copy. This is one of the few books that remains on my shelf after I’ve read it, as it means a great deal to me.
“Remembrance” is about three generations of men with the same name, the eldest having fought in WWII and come home to a wife that gave birth to a son that was conceived while he was away. This son (and second generation) was named after the returned solider regardless, in an effort at reconciliation I’m not sure. The third generation is introduced only towards the end, so we don’t hear much about him. Although there are only a few pages, drastic events occur that change the course of lives forever, many of these instances sprung from the war and its after-effects.
It didn’t take long to read, it’s 32 pages in total, but anyone who’s read Alistair before knows that each word is picked out carefully, so I savoured each sentence. The writing is spare, it doesn’t include any flowery descriptions but it encourages an emotional connection to the characters. There’s some intentional repetition to the narrative, mainly within the character’s inner dialogue. This reminded me of a Remembrance Day ceremony or parade-there’s always repetition there too, but it’s to remind us of what’s important, and what should not be forgotten.
The Great Alistair MacLeod!
Many of us have been touched by war, and the idea of ‘what if’? Personally, if my mother’s parents hadn’t met in a POW camp in Europe, they would have never come to Canada, which means my Mother wouldn’t have been born, which obviously means in turn I wouldn’t have either. So although many things end with war, many things begin there too.
I can’t recommend this story enough, what a beautiful and stunning piece of writing. I’d be willing to lend it out to friends, but only those who refuse to turn down the corners of the pages.
His only novel No Great Mischief is essential. You don’t want to miss it.
I know! I need to read it. I NEED to.
That’s twice I’ve heard of this author this week – the fates must be trying to tell me something. I shall investigate his catalogue…
Just a cat!!! That’s nearly as bad as burly! Tuppence says you don’t treat Smokey with the reverance she deserves…
ha! I thought you’d like that comment LOL
Smokey is lovely!
That sounds like a terrific story. Your post and your reflections reminded me of Kate Atkinson’s novels Life After Life and A God Among Ruins. Have you read those? They both deal with WWII and the after effects, how war changes things, ends lives, snuffs out whole universes of people that don’t have a chance to exist once one person is killed.
I believe I did read Kate Atkinsons LIfe after After, but I don’t remember. Ugh I feel so bad writing that, but I can’t remember books I read a year ago, that’s why I keep a list 🙂
Doesn’t he have a lovely little Christmas story too? It’s a great idea to have this one around as commemorative reading (beyond his being a fabulous story writer), like some people read A Child’s Christmas in Wales every holiday!
Oh I didn’t know he had a Christmas one-I’ll do some digging on that!
My wife’s great grandfather fought on the English side in WW1, and he wrote about sixty or seventy pages about his experience in the trenches.
He wrote it in longhand, and my wife typed it out on a typewriter when she was in her early teens.
He never published it, but I guess writing about it helped him deal with the horrible things he experienced in that conflict.
I get the sense that many people write about these things to help bring them peace, and how lovely that your wife took the time to type it out. What a treasure that writing must be to your family!
Okay, surprise for me: I didn’t know Alexander MacLeod was Alistair MacLeod’s son. Surprise for you: I’ve met Alexander MacLeod because we went to the same MFA program. He came back years after he graduated to do a reading from his (then) new book, Light Lifting. He was very nice, and I liked his reading quite a bit, so I bought that book. Of course, because I go to a lot of readings and also buy books for no reason, I haven’t read it yet (despite buying it in 2013).
haha I love that story! Such a small world us book people inhabit. He’s cute right? As cute in person as he is in his pictures?
If I remember correctly, he’s cuter, but he was also younger.
ah yes
I think you’d really like his book. Too bad you can’t review it on your blog!
“No Dudes Allowed.” 🙂 I occasionally read books by men and write BRIEF thoughts about the book on Goodreads.
How did I miss this post? Isn’t his writing lovely? I’m glad you liked it!
I love this: “So although many things end with war, many things begin there too.” 🙂
Aw thanks 🙂
I’ve never read anything by either Macleod, but I will!
You definitely should!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Alistair MacLeod’s writing. I have all of his books in hardcover. My favorite short story of his was “In the fall” (from the book “Island”)
Hmm I should definitely read more of his work, this story was so beautifully written!