Fill in The Gaps

I somehow neglected to post about it, but some time ago I posted my Fill In The Gaps reading list over here.

February by Lisa Moore

On Valentine's Day in 1982, a terrible storm hit the coast of Newfoundland. An oil rig called the Ocean Ranger sank, causing the death of 84 men. Lisa Moore's new novel February explores the psyche of Helen O'Mara, whose husband Cal was on the boat. The narrative is divided into short sections, dropping in on a moment in Helen's timeline and then doubling back or moving forward with graceful fluidity to visit another one. Such are the poignant details of these moments that it's possible to pick up the threads and weave together the at times heartbreaking story of Helen's life.

Moore does an excellent job of capturing the pain of Helen's loss and the difficulty of being left alone to raise three children. The narrative also touches on the lives of Helen's fatherless children, especially her son John, who is surprised to discover he will soon become a father. Moore's prose simply dazzles with its understated emotions and evocative use of colourful images. The two are often juxtaposed to wonderful effect, as in a scene about the now grown-up John:
“And Jane Downey had hung up on him. There was just the platform and the giant boulders and the pale yellow dress of the Japanese child and the red candy ring catching the light.” (33)

The beauty of Lisa's Moore's prose is often startling. Reluctant to reach the last page, I drew out reading February for as long as possible to savour its beauty.

Thanks to @houseofanansi and the House of Anansi Review Crew for the chance to read and review an advance copy of this book!