The well known Neufie and Great Big Sea band guitarist and singer waxes eloquent about the land he loves, i.e. Newfoundland and Labrador, as he takes the reader on a grand guided tour. This includes a lot of history that was new to me, and makes the Rock seem extremely attractive. I think the Newfoundland Tourism agency or whatever it’s name is should be rewarding him handsomely.
Anyone who has spent any time exploring the newest Canadian province will recognize some of the unusual features of this remarkable island and some of the places he features, but by no means all. Those who have not done so will want to after reading this book.
They do not take themselves too seriously and provide a remarkable often humourous perspective on life. Of Cape Spear the most easterly point in North America, he says « It is a great spot to whale watch or gaze out over the cityscape, especially on the three afternoons a year when it isn’t blowing a gale hard enough to take the braces off your teeth. »
The people are certainly unique- uniquely friendly and inviting in their own way, with a culture of acceptance and a language that goes back centuries. Their sporadic hard drinking seems almost forgivable. The history is also intriguing going back to before Columbus discovered America. Although I have been there several times and did a lengthy tour with McCarthy’s Party, I learned a lot more about this one-of-a-kind culture, geography, and people by reading this travelogue. A light and enjoyable read. Highly recommended.
4.8/5
Thanks, Vera
The Passionate Reader 