Vancouver novelist’s latest looks at life in polygamist village
Polygamy is at the centre of this new book by Vancouver-based author Christopher Meades.
The read is the fourth release for Meades, who details in an author’s note at the back of the novel that the tale was the triumphant period on a long sentence that was his recovery from a traumatic brain injury.
Perhaps his struggles and resulting strength to heal from his injury to return to writing were part of the motivation behind the desire to build a heroine who had a seemingly supernatural ability to overcome obstacles. But, whatever the inspiration, Meades’ character Hanna comes through the pages as a young woman to be more than a little proud of.
Hanna is the oldest daughter in a polygamist family that lives in a community called Clearhaven. The book begins with Hanna and her sister Emily embarking on a latenight junket to a cabin in the woods (yes, there are wolves in these woods) in search of some moonshine for their father.
Not exactly a candidate for Father of the Year. But Jotham’s status as a sub-par parent is quickly apparent — what with his aptitude for drunken rages and seeming lack of a job. Oh, and the whole taking-of-multiple-wives thing.
Nearing her 18th birthday, each chapter of this book details Hanna’s trepidation — and dawning realization and disgust — stemming from her impending reality of being married off to a middle-aged man of her father’s choosing. But, unlike many of the other women of Clearhaven, who seem to willingly enter into these arranged marriages decided upon by the town’s men and “The Creator,” Hanna increasingly questions her fixed path.
And then she meets Daniel — a privileged boy from the community who inspires her to fight for her future, love and her life. And just like that, nothing is ever the same.
Save for a few forehead-smacking moments where Hanna falls back into the old thought process fuelled by the fear and intimidation of the outside world that’s been taught to her throughout her whole life, the show of strength by this teenage bride-to-be is pleasantly inspiring.
If you enjoy a book that gets you thinking — Hanna’s tale sparked more than a few dinner-table conversations about polygamist communities for this reader — you’ll likely love Meades’ latest effort.