Sweetland: A Novel

Brilliant writing. Sensitive portrait of a beleaguered and loving yet stubbornly driven man who, forced by circumstance, pushes against that which conspires, and conspired, against him. Moses' world is conceived brilliantly - the intimidating features of the physical environment, the intimacy of a community where frank opinions are the norm, and the complexity of Moses interior musings and memories, are rendered with humour, delicious authentic dialogue, and a tender affection for the unique place that is Newfoundland. Moses Sweetland is a memorable character who absolutely embodies its indomitable spirit , "measured and made to the islands exact specifications."

Until the last 35 pages or so I was ready to rate this book with 5 stars, but the ending disappointed me. The author could have done better, as I think he was fatigued by his own story. I guess I expected more than witnessing Sweetland, one of the most interesting, colorful characters I have come across in recent literature, just fade away into a state of reverie about the past with no chance of any future for him on or away from his eponymous island. This is a novel with setting (you'll feel like you are part of the Newfoundland island scene...it's that good), characterization (and not just Sweetland but so many others as well), plot, language (Mr Crummy knows his dialect) and humor (there are some laugh out loud lines and anecdotes). It is not a happy read but despite the failed ending in my personal view, it did not leave me saddened except for the fact that a way of life was coming to end. This book is literary novel writing at its very best, and I highly recommend it. I myself now want to read more from this author.

Moses Sweetland is a crusty old Newfie who has spent the bulk of his life on a small, rocky, godforsaken island, as have the many generations before him, that is named after his family. The government wants to relocate the entire population to the mainland, so it can shut off social services, police, utilities, etc. The government offers each family a $100,000 relocation package--provided every person on the island agrees to it. A few don't agree and Moses is the final holdout. The others beg and threaten him, with even some attempted extortion and acts of violence. As he has aged, Moses has been surrounded by the people he knows (some of whom he loves) and the ghosts of those who lived on the island before, including his late mother; his odd brother who died while they were out cod-fishing; his sister's daughter and her autistic son--both from illicit unions; and the local characters who've stayed on this lonely rock because they had few better choices. One of the ghosts is his long-ago paramour Effie, whom he left behind as a young man when he went to the mainland to make good money after the cod all disappeared. After a horrible industrial accident, Moses is forever scarred and surrenders any hope of reconnecting with Effie. Decades later, back on Sweetland, Moses finally relents and takes the relocation package. Everyone leaves or packs to leave. But he circles back, abandoning his dory with the motor running, so it looks as if he's fallen over. The coast guard finds the boat, empty, and the few remaining souls put up a cross in the cemetery with his name on it. He hides out in the woods till the last people have left, then moves back into his old house. Of course, there are no longer any stores, supplies, electricity, etc., so life is even harsher. He chops firewood, traps rabbits, fishes for cod, melts snow for tea, talks to himself, plays solitaire, and scrounges for survival. True winter arrives and life gets even harsher and more scary. He starts to go mad from loneliness, but of course has no way to leave or contact anyone. He starts to see and hear ghosts. As he slowly starves during the middle of winter, hundreds of dying Little Auks float up in the harbor, their ancient migration patterns in flux due to global warming. They're starving, too, with almost no meat left on their bones, but Moses and his stray dog devour as many as they can stuff in. Winter tightens its noose and Moses must choose whether to stay and die or try to get off the empty island to save himself. This is the fourth Crummey book I've read. Each is brilliant in a different way. Crummey knows and loves Nfld. and its history, land, people, dialect, and culture. He looks at his home with a poetic, loving, but dispassionate eye, not afraid to reveal the hard, ugly side of life in a cold, geographically inhospitable land.

I have to give thus writer raves ( a 5) for his style of writing. He has been able to present his characters and style of writing so that you can feel the setting that his characters live in. You can get a feel for the characters through their speech and their behavior. He has brought the story to life with his writing. So why do a rate this story a 3? There were parts in this book, scenes that were almost unbearable to get through. I am not going to describe the events because that would constitute a "spoiler alert". If you, the reader, choose to read this book, do so with the understanding that the author has tried to be as realistic as it is possible to be, There is no "sugar coating". He tells it like it is.

Thanks

I'm from the same small mining town (Buchans) that Michael Crummey hails from. I never knew him because I am twenty years older than he and I had left and gone to university before he was born. I've had the pleasure of reading most of his works, but "Sweetland" is by far the best. This powerful story evokes such vivid memories of my life in Newfoundland, but more than that it's an extraordinary tale of perseverance and courage in the face of unbelievable hardship. The people of the "Rock", as it's affectionately known by Newfoundlanders, demonstrate a resilience and fortitude that anyone from "away" will have little conception of and the novel's main character, Sweetland, exemplifies in every way the indomitable spirit of the courage people of Newfoundland. In language rich and evocative of the Newfoundland vernacular, Michael Crummey takes the reader on a journey back in time and forward to the present with seamless ease, weaving an exquisite tapestry of life in a typical island outport, many of which have, sadly, disappeared.

characters & plot keep getting better; the language is oh-wow since the first page;kudos to canadian lit, best novel of the year

I enjoyed this book very much. I live an urban life in the beautiful coastal city of Vancouver. Although I have travelled a lot I am a creature of my my time and environment. In Canada, there is a continuing set of political and economic issues surrounding settlements with the original inhabitants of the Country. One reads of the special relationship Indians believe they have for the land. It has never been very convincing to me that their relationship with " place" should be any different than anyone else's. This book changed my understanding of the relationship of people and the land. The book is not about indians or land claims it is about family relationships, love, pain, loyalty, memory and place. Sweetland is both a man and a place. For reasons of government efficiency his community is being moved. There are bureaucratic processes and incentives which induce members of the community to support the government plan. There is soon a majority but the agreement has to be unanimous. The ante is raised. Soon there are just a few holdouts. The reader learns of the integration of experience and location, of life and place. The characters are wonderful. The writing clever and consistent. The book expanded my view of important relationships. I'm very glad Michael Crummey wrote the book and I read it.

Brilliant writing.