Shigawake: Review of The Survivor

The Survivor: Book two of the Alford Series

Diane Skinner Flowers

The Gaspé Spec

In book two, the story of Thomas Manning continues in 1813

SHIGAWAKE: - The Survivor, the second book in the Alford Saga is available, or soon will be, and it is brilliant. Moving, fascinating, informative, and involving. If this book is any indication of the quality of the books to come in this series, then readers are in for an extraordinary treat.

Paul Almond, one of Canada's most important and prolific director - producers has turned his creative talents to writing historical fiction set right here on the Gaspe Peninsula. He resides here on the Gaspe and in Malibu, California. But, his roots and heart are firmly here on the peninsula.

Book One of his eight-part Alford Saga series, entitled The Deserter, was released last year and received considerable literary attention and is a national bestseller. The protagonist referred to in the title is Thomas Manning, an actual ancestor of Mr. Almond's.  In Book One, Thomas jumps ship to start a new, free life on the Gaspe Peninsula in the early 1800s. His life becomes intertwined with all three cultures; British, French and Micmac. He struggles and experiences the hard, sometimes cruel life of our ancestors.

In book two, the story of Thomas Manning continues in 1813. Aptly entitled The Survivor, Thomas who changes his name to James Alford to escape detection as a deserter, again encounters much hardship. But he also experiences great joy and satisfaction as his hopes and dreams begin to take shape. Marriage, the birth of a daughter and the establishment of his home on Shigawake Bay are all described in great detail with attention to the environment in which the settlers lived.

Historical references and information about the three cultures abound. It is in the small details that this book excels. We learn about foods the  people gathered or planted, utensils they used, the animals that kept them alive and the clothes they wore. This book provides the reader with a detailed visual reading experience. As a reader, I was transported back to 1813. A description of 1816 - the year with no summer and the resulting famine is based on historical fact.

But the book has plenty of action and while reading the first chapter 1 pictured the opening of an Indiana Jones movie. There is loads of action and tension in this book and it would make an excellent movie or television series.

The characterization in Book Two is multi-dimensional and the motivations of the characters are believable and identifiable. Without spoiling the book for readers, there is a sensitivity to the various cultural views and resulting frictions that existed at the time and perhaps to this day.

The reader will identify towns (Pabos, Paspebiac, Douglastown, Hope, New Carlisle...) and family names (Hall, Garrett, Almond, Smith, Mann, Beebe, McRae...) and these references give this book a special meaning for Gaspesians who can identifywith them. I was thrilled to read a reference to one of my own ancestors, Duncan McRae. However the themes in this book are universal and will appeal to a wide range of readers. Love, hope, family, and survival are themes all readers can identify with. There is so much more I could share with you but that pleasure will be yours to discover when you sit down to read The Survivor.

This book makes me feel a sense of pride to be Gaspesian. Our ancestors, no matter from which culture, were survivors — tough and resilient people. If you want to truly understand who you are, you must know where you came from. These books will offer you that opportunity. The Survivor is a richly textured book and a compelling read. And just think...there are six more books to come!