Far Creek Road - A Novel

Lesley Krueger

Summary

“With the charming and very funny Tink, Krueger has created an unforgettable character whose innocent curiosity busts through the societal conventions of early 1960s Canada. This is a masterful depiction of an atmosphere tense with fear and fuelled by grownup transgressions, where adult morality is contaminated by politics that tear communities apart.” — Sheila Murray, author of Finding Edward

It’s 1961, and Mary Alice (Tink) Parker lives with her parents in a Vancouver suburb where many fathers are traumatized veterans of the Second World War and almost all the mothers are housewives. They believe they’ve earned secure and prosperous lives after the sacrifices they made during the war. But under the conformist veneer seethe conflicts and secrets that make the serenity of Grouse Valley precarious.

This is the story of the unravelling of a neighbourhood. It’s told by Tink, an eccentric child who is funny, observant, and impossibly nosy, who has an unnerving tendency to blurt whatever’s on her mind. Bucolic at first, the story darkens as McCarthy-era paranoia infects the adults and spills over into the lives of the children. The parents of Tink’s best friend Norman are schoolteachers with leftist beliefs. When the Cuban Missile Crisis threatens, Norman’s parents face a witch hunt while the boy becomes a target of bullies. Tink does her best to defend Norman. But as she looks for help, she stumbles on a web of secrets that triggers events beyond anyone’s control. Gripping and perceptive, the novel portrays a divided era with eerie similarities to our own.

Available since: 10/24/2023.

Print length: 304 pages.

1 Comments

Book of the Week 11/10/2023

Krueger’s latest novel takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through McCarthy-era paranoia, the Cuban Missile Crisis and suburban hypocrisy in 1960s Canada. Through the eyes of the 9-year-old Tink, Krueger skillfully exposes the conflicts and secrets simmering beneath the seemingly serene surface of a Vancouver suburb.

The Horton’s are new in town and their leftist views are a thorn in many people’s eyes. Tink’s friendship with their son, Norman, unwittingly makes her a witness to a personally motivated defamation campaign against the Hortons, taking its toll on the children. Tink’s innocent yet keen perspective adds a special charm to the novel. Her character is cheeky, curious, observant and reflective, offering readers a refreshing lens to observe unfolding events.

Another highlight lies in the stark contrast between Tink’s open-minded innocence and the adults’ secrecy. As Tink navigates the complexities of loyalty, friendship and the consequences of choice, her childhood innocence abruptly comes to an end. The result is a powerful and thought-provoking read that weaves together historical tensions and personal struggles in a compelling narrative.

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About the author

Lesley Krueger

Lesley Krueger is a novelist and screenwriter. She is the author of seven books, including the critically acclaimed novels The Corner Garden and Mad Richard. As a filmmaker, she has worked as a...

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