Childhood: A Novel

by André Alexis

Book Overview

National Bestseller Winner of the Chapters/Books in Canada First Novel Award and the Trillium Award, and shortlisted for The Giller Prize and the Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, Childhood is renowned... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805059814
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Co
• Length: 259 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 1.3" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

Sparse and poignant

Childhood by Andre Alexis McClelland & Stewart Inc. 1998The story follows the life of Thomas MacMillan from early childhood until the death of his mother, Katerina, and Henry Wing, one of his mother's lovers. The main characters are superbly drawn while Thomas remains for us only a wispy image generated by his thoughts. The love of Henry for Katerina is constant, undemanding and rises above the everyday demands of mere mortals. Katerina, on the other hand moves by her own light and one is never sure if she is capable of loving and one wonders too what has caused this strange disconnectedness.There are wryly funny sections and clear bright narrative bits that draw the reader in. At the end one realizes that the story is touchingly sentimental while being questioningly honest. I liked the book but had a strange unsatisfied feeling when I was finished. I wanted to know more of Henry, Katerina and Thomas.

Adelightful first novel that weaves the past a present toget

I found this a very clever book , that weaves the past and present together . The remmbrance of an unusual childhood and how we come to perceive the world through many experienes, is revealed through snpshots of his life. I loved the use of poetry and almost magical quality the writer imparts to his rembering his childhood as an older person.

The narrative exists, but subtley.

Alexis presents a well crafted novel that meanders between the past and the present, the truth and illusion. His use of the French language, poetry and allusion is skilled, though at times intimidating. Overall, the honesty and maturity of the novel made for a very delightful, if too short, read.