Telling tales
Nova Scotia Teachers’ College grad revisits Truro to promote his third novel
Following a car accident, Luke Delaney develops an addiction to narcotics. His struggle to overcome addiction, with help from a Cuban exile and pharmacologist, is the story told in Herb Hopkins’ new novel, New Found Land.
“The prescription opiate crisis is a big issue, and my stories are about coming to grips with issues,” he said. “I try to inform people from various perspectives.”
Hopkins grew up in Barrington Passage, attended the Nova Scotia Teachers’ College in Truro, and now lives in Newfoundland. He began writing after he retired from teaching.
His first book was a volume of poetry called A High of Zero, and following that he wrote three novels.
In the first, The Book of Luke, Luke Delaney, a 27- year- old writer and environmentalist, comes into conflict with the oil business. Hopkins’s second novel, Temperance Street, is a prequel, and tells the story of Delaney at the age of 14, during a period when abuse connected with the Roman Catholic Church, and issues with the cod fishery, were in the headlines.
In the latest novel, Delaney is 40 and struggling with an addiction to prescription drugs. Dr. Lilliana Sanchez, a Cuban exile and pharmacologist, offers some newfound ways of helping.
“It was interesting to see how the characters grow, but I feel Luke’s story has been told and I’ve let go of him now,” said Hopkins.
“I wrote three novels in 10 years, and that surprises me more than anybody. I’m not a big reader of fiction. I wrote a book of poetry, and liked the process, and then I got the bug.
“I’m very fortunate to have an amazing editor, and I’ve learned a lot.”
Hopkins made the first copy of the book of poetry for himself, with a carved walnut cover and calligraphy. It was later purchased by the National Gallery, and is kept in the National Book Preservation Centre, in Gatineau, Que.
“That’s pretty special, and something I never expected,” said Hopkins.
He recently made a stop at Coles in Truro, to chat with fans and sign copies of his book. Although he’s decided to part ways with Luke Delaney, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other novels to be written.
“Things have been going through my head again,” said the author, who also expresses his artistic side through wood carving.