Book Review: The Gift Child by Elaine McCluskey

A few months ago I read a review of The Gift Child by Elaine McCluskey by fellow blogger Naomi, which piqued my interest in reading it too. I love a group of quirky characters! it’s also one aspect of a book’s setting that I enjoy about cozy mysteries (which this isn’t one!!!) but it’s definitely a plot device I enjoy. Something else I love, and this book has it in spades, is great turns of phrase and description. The writing is fantastic. McCluskey is one of those writers that’s a hidden gem in Canlit; a talented author who has never achieved ‘commercial’ success, but has a loyal following of readers that know how great she is, and I’m happy to say I’ve joined that fan club!

Plot Summary

Harriett Swim is a middle-aged woman, drifting through life since her one serious relationship ended, and recently laid off as a photo journalist. She works evening shifts at her local casino, lives in an apartment where the power goes off frequently, and often visits her difficult and narcissistic father, Stan. Harriett’s older cousin Graham goes missing, last seen as he bikes off the wharf with a giant tuna head in his basket. He is never seen again, and Harriett (despite her better judgement) decides to investigate, her father occasionally joining her on the visits she makes to other people in Graham’s life. Graham is an oddity; he didn’t really work and socialized with some sketchy people so there are a few theories of what happened to him. In her search for clues Harriett goes to visit Shag Harbour, and takes up with a man who is apparently there to write an academic paper on the famous UFO sighting in that area from decades ago. While their new relationship blossoms, Harriet meets a wealthy couple that pushes her earlier memories to surface of her doomed marriage from a few years ago. All her memories, past and present, are coloured by her odd childhood experiences. Stan’s larger-than-life presence affects the way Harriet views herself, and those around her, even Graham’s disappearance is linked to Stan’s selfishness. Harriet explores her family’s legacy through this present day mystery, unearthing history that continues to shape her view of her complicated childhood.

My Thoughts

Truth remains elusive to both the reader and Harriett; she readily admits to stretching the truth while she also offers alternate scenes to replace the earlier one she has written. Most of the characters seem to lie in this book, not in a sinister way, but in an innocuous way, almost as if they can’t help it. The exaggeration seems to originate with Stan, the famous broadcaster who still gets recognized wherever he goes, much to his delight. But lying, especially the men in Harriet’s life, comes naturally to them, which she isn’t bothered by; in some ways she accepts it’s being done to protect her, or others. So when she offers a different outcome to a situation it also feels like a type of relief or balm; a way of smoothing over the rough edges of what really happened.

There is a subtle humour woven throughout the story, but it only comes out when Harriet is relaying some information about something she has witnessed, or something someone has said. Harriet isn’t a funny person, but as a photo journalist, she is used to relaying facts to an audience, and the very strange circumstances and people she comes across are where the humour comes from. For instance, picturing Graham biking down a wharf with a giant fish head is an image that is frequently returned to in this book, but it’s so odd, I can’t help but smile at it. McCluskey’s writing is a beautiful compliment to these unusual characters and situations;

“If you have a parent like Stan who lives for his public, you are an accessory that only works with select outfits. Most times you are not needed. On occasion you add a splash of colour, an accent of domesticity-you are a human pocket square.”

-The Gift Child by Elaine McCluskey, p. 56

This novel is full of the above observations; lyrical yet simple. McCluskey’s way with words are one of the main reasons I am recommending this book to others. In truth, I found the middle of the book lagged a bit – it could have been shortened by 50ish pages, but the writing is what hooked me because the author wrote this novel as if writing a short story; it’s obvious she took great care in choosing her words.