I seem to be reading an awful lot of what could be loosely described as historical fiction. Seems to be a lot of books in this category these days. A few notes about them.

"Fingersmith" by Sarah Waters. This was shortlisted for the Booker and I notice she was at the Vancouver Writer's Festival recently. A big beast of a book but very intriguing. I really loved all the twists and turns and the historical aspect of London and life in the 1860's. Quite an interesting modern way through all sorts of standard stuff like gothic, romance, etc.

"The Last Crossing" by Guy Vanderhaeghe. He really seems to capture all those issues of the wild west in an authentic but modern way. Debunking the romance yet leaving something admirable of those times and pioneers, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

"Mount Appetite" by Bill Gaston. Read a few of his stories since the book was shortlisted for the Giller. He's a reasonably good story teller.

"Bel Canto" by Ann Patchett. A novel that was very hard to put down and really very beautifully written. I look forward to reading other work by her.

"The Story of Lucy Gault" by William Trevor. A very good tale as one comes to expect from Trevor. Incredible ironies in the events of the Irish and English background families. A story, of hate, loss, love, redemption, mercy, forgiveness, and the essential mystery of being human---irony does best explore those themes.