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Etta
is eighty-three when she decides to walk eastward over 3,200
kilometers to see the ocean for the first time, armed with
a few necessities like chocolate, her best boots and a slip
of paper reminding her of who she is and other basic information,
should she forget it. She leaves behind her husband, Otto,
and their friend, Russell, who have been friends for over
sixty years. Etta is the vehicle through which the author
presents the past and present, reliving dreams and hopes through
not only Etta's eyes, but those of Otto and Russell as well.
Early in Etta's journey, she meets a coyote, James, who sings
and talks, and is content to be her companion. He is one of
my favorite characters who play an important role when Etta
slips in and out of reality.
This novel is a touching and powerful story of three people
who have survived hardships through the years. Otto has lived
through a war and, left alone, he struggles to keep the memories
of the horrors of war at bay. Frustrated that Otto doesn't
search for Etta, Russell tracks the woman he has loved from
afar for many years.
Emma Hooper has written a sensitive, captivating novel that
kept me entranced by the beauty of her prose and touching
character portrayal. She expertly weaves the harsh realities
of poverty, war, love and devotion as each character travels
through the own past and present reality. Her depictions of
a Canadian "dustbowl" environment and the growing
relationships between the characters through time are engrossing
and touching. This is an eloquent novel of desire and hope,
of conquering one's fears and achieving dreams. Most of all,
it's an engrossing and beautiful novel of love and friendship
that makes me long for more from this author.
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