Susan Swan

I'll be honest: I read this book but I am not sure exactly what to make of it. It's a collection of short pieces about women and their relationships with men-- with their boyfriends, ex-boyfriends, husbands, acquaintances, one night stands, random strangers, etc. The first half of the book contains short stories in a more traditional format while the second half, titled "Cyber Tales", is a collection of internet postings by famous historical women (Aphrodite, Marilyn Monroe, Catherine the Great, etc.) in a chat room where they discuss their love lives. I love the idea of the "Cyber Tales", it's incredibly imaginative and I liked this section better than the first half of the book. As for the stories themselves, I found them sometimes funny, sometimes quirky though I felt some of them went over my head or I had trouble relating. I have a sneaking suspicion I'd enjoy this book a lot more if I was older and had more life experience.… (mais)

This is the story of a 12-year-old girl (Mary) growing up in rural Ontario. Her father is the town doctor who works far too much to have much time for her. She is being raised by her aunt Louie and her father's former nurse, Sal. John Pilkie, a former NHL star judged criminally insane after the death of his wife and baby, comes to stay at the local mental institution. Mary's relationship with John at this formative time in her life is what drives the story.

This is a comfortable read in the sense that the setting is recognizably Canadian and the story includes the Leafs/Canadiens rivalry and a long, cold winter. Well written. Good, not great.… (mais)