Prairie Spirit: A Memoir

Description of Prairie Spirit This is an evocative portrait/memoir of the early years of a young prairie lad. The author's open and fresh style invites the reader to go back in time and experience day-to-day life as experienced by Dougie, the central character. By presenting the story with a strong sense of immediacy, the effect is one of being physically present in each scene. Every summer Uncle comes to take Dougie to his farm to help with the chores and even do some man's work, like "picking rocks". Dougie and his friends are, of course, involved in many scenes typical of young people. The difference is that these are "farm kids", not from the inner city. A wild ride is not on a roller coaster-it is more likely a tractor, reeling from side to side down a dirt road careening out of control. His days are filled with rich possibilities and he is a master at enjoying every moment. Back in town in September, the routines of school, church, holidays, Saturday movies and family get-togethers continue as usual. But this is no ordinary boy; he feels very deeply about almost everything and he is dogged by a highly intuitive nature. And he knows there is something very wrong going on at the farm...something no child should have to deal with. The reader grows up with him as he becomes a teenager. Doug (as he is now called) has moved away from all things familiar and now lives in the big city of Edmonton. City living is complicated and high pressure, but he is able to retain his intensity and love of life. Most of all, the friends he makes there will be friends for life. The book is magical at times with delightful scenes of nature, animals, small towns and both rural and city life. (Don't miss the chapter called "Woolly"!) Many descriptions will resonate with Canadians: hockey practise, where he uses layers of newspaper for shin pads and a wonderful school janitor who makes the perfect ice rink. Readers will laugh on one page, turn to the next and find a tear running down their cheek; or maybe relief when Dougie escapes death-again. But young as he may be, he has an old soul and lives with the uneasy sense that there are larger questions in life that need to be answered, such as the age-old "What is the meaning of it all?" Doug is frustrated when the adults in his life can't provide reasonable explanations for his never-ending questions. And what is he supposed to make of the local spirit who has "chosen" him? As the story ends, readers may find themselves reflecting on their own childhood and remembering it just a little bit more fondly. And, although it is written for adults, I can think of 12 year olds who would also find it entrancing.