What was it like to be one of the earliest European settlers in Newfoundland? In this book, Morgan recounts the (fictional) saga of the Andrews family. Proulx and her descriptive, quirky writing will carry you along for the ride. As a colorful cast of characters helps him to adjust to this new world on the stark and beautiful coast, Quoyle learns to reclaim his life while confronting his demons. We've added some additional favourites to this list to keep you busy reading for even longer.Īfter the death of his wife, Quoyle moves to his ancestral home in Newfoundland with his two daughters. Have you already devoured those four books? Fortunately, Newfoundland and Labrador is an endless source of inspiration for authors. The Viking landings, the exploits of Basque whalers, centuries of military and religious strife, confederation with Canada, and the collapse of the fisheries – all are brought to life in exciting, vivid prose. The history of Newfoundland and Labrador is full of intrigue and disaster, courage, scandal, and imagination. Of the two ships that set out from Greenland, why did only one return from the fabled new-found land?Ĥ. Their final voyage, led by Freydis Eiriksdottir, the enigmatic daughter of the renegade Eirik the Red, is shrouded in mystery. It’s a painful personal tale of resilience and resettlement analogous to the organized resettlement programs of the 1950s and 1960s in Newfoundland and Labrador.įor the Vikings who crossed the ocean to Vinland, the place was part destination and part mythological. This fictional story is set on a remote island somewhere in eastern Canada. The writing captures a certain melancholy and nostalgia around the possibility for the future. The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, Wayne Johnston.Īlthough technically fiction, this is a mesmerizing tale of Canadian and Newfoundland and Labrador's history as well of its first Premier, Joey Smallwood. Below are some books to get lost in before finding yourself here:ġ. No one can be certain what brought them here luckily for us, we can still enjoy the fruits of their labour. While others point to the Vikings, who much like the writers, found themselves on these ancient shores by chance so many years ago. Others seem to think it's the first signs of life discovered at Mistaken Point. What brought them all here? There are a few theories kicking around out there: some say it’s the incredible sweeping landscapes that blanket this vast province. Some are local, some from abroad, and some from parts unknown. At the most easterly point in North America, you'll find a treasure trove of talented writers.

Heart of the wild cape classic