Book Review: Bellevue Square by Michael Redhill

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Published in Canada by Anchor Canada,

a division of Random House of Canada Limited,

a Penguin Random House Company

Published in 2017

winner of the 2017 Scotiabank Giller Prize

Bookstore owner, Jean Mason is happily married and the mother of two boys--Nick and Reid. One day a regular customer comes into her store and tells her that he just saw her twin or doppelganger or clone or... What exactly is Ingrid Fox? Who exactly is Jean Mason? The answers are just beyond Jean's grasp. Does that make her an unreliable narrator? Technically yes. But she isn't trying to deceive. She is sharing her truth. 

And, in fact, I found this book an intriguing blend of literary fiction and mystery. 

Chapter-by-chapter, the reader grows to realize that Jean Mason has... Well, there's something wrong with her brain.

Polite society has trouble talking about (and accepting) people who have brain problems. We (the disabled) are just supposed to grow out of, get over or seek treatment for it. 

I commend Michael Redhill for writing this important book.

'And more people should recognize that if you can treat it with medicine, it must be like every other disease and no one should be ashamed to have it and others shouldn't be afraid of it.' (p. 171)

More...

CBC books' interview with Michael Redhill 

Why should you attend Ellen Schwartz's writing workshop on Mayne Island?

I'll share the top four reasons this coming Wednesday

Next Sunday evening on this blog...

photo by ldyck

Annie 
This short story was inspired by the novel 
The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani

What would you do to make a dream reality?

Sharing my author journey...

I love to write... I love to read... I love short stories
If you do too you'll love this list...
Short List Announced for the 2018 Danuta Gleed Literary Award