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{"id":6582762963003,"title":"The Speed of Mercy","handle":"the-speed-of-mercy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Dark family secrets, the lore of the sea, and a tender, protective friendship between women all converge in \u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy\u003c\/em\u003e, an unusual and surprising story set in idyllic rural Nova Scotia. With subtle humour, Conlin picks the locks on the long-closed doors of two families and bares the ugly, painful skeletons everyone knew were there but chose to hide.” — Sylvia D. Hamilton, author of \u003cem\u003eAnd I Alone Escaped To Tell You\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy\u003c\/em\u003e captures the unbearable cost of childhood betrayal and what happens when history is suppressed, our past is forgotten — yet finding the truth can change the future. Christy Ann Conlin rips into the myths and stereotypes about older women and those on the edge of conventional society to reveal the timeless gift of mercy in this feminist tour de force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Christy Ann Conlin is a conjurer: of place, people, and the haunting past. I was instantly caught up in the darkly mysterious world and indelible characters she has brought to life. Gripping, suspenseful, and lyrically written, \u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy\u003c\/em\u003e caught me by the throat and didn’t let go.” — Alix Ohlin, Scotiabank Giller Prize–shortlisted author of \u003cem\u003eDual Citizens\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2021-05-13T13:15:25-04:00","created_at":"2021-05-13T13:15:25-04:00","vendor":"House of Anansi Press Inc","type":"","tags":["Book Club Pick","By (author) Conlin Christy Ann","Feminist Reads","House of Anansi Press","pub date: 2021-03-23"],"price":1995,"price_min":1995,"price_max":2495,"available":true,"price_varies":true,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":39403471667259,"title":"epub","option1":"epub","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781487003418","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Speed of Mercy - epub","public_title":"epub","options":["epub"],"price":1995,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"9781487003418","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":39413883338811,"title":"trade paperback","option1":"trade paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781487003401","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Speed of Mercy - trade paperback","public_title":"trade paperback","options":["trade paperback"],"price":2495,"weight":490,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781487003401","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":39413883928635,"title":"mobi","option1":"mobi","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781487003425","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Speed of Mercy - mobi","public_title":"mobi","options":["mobi"],"price":1995,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"9781487003425","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/houseofanansi.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781487003401.jpg?v=1626441848"],"featured_image":"\/\/houseofanansi.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781487003401.jpg?v=1626441848","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":20719149776955,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2400,"width":1575,"src":"\/\/houseofanansi.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781487003401.jpg?v=1626441848"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2400,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/houseofanansi.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781487003401.jpg?v=1626441848","width":1575}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Dark family secrets, the lore of the sea, and a tender, protective friendship between women all converge in \u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy\u003c\/em\u003e, an unusual and surprising story set in idyllic rural Nova Scotia. With subtle humour, Conlin picks the locks on the long-closed doors of two families and bares the ugly, painful skeletons everyone knew were there but chose to hide.” — Sylvia D. Hamilton, author of \u003cem\u003eAnd I Alone Escaped To Tell You\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy\u003c\/em\u003e captures the unbearable cost of childhood betrayal and what happens when history is suppressed, our past is forgotten — yet finding the truth can change the future. Christy Ann Conlin rips into the myths and stereotypes about older women and those on the edge of conventional society to reveal the timeless gift of mercy in this feminist tour de force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Christy Ann Conlin is a conjurer: of place, people, and the haunting past. I was instantly caught up in the darkly mysterious world and indelible characters she has brought to life. Gripping, suspenseful, and lyrically written, \u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy\u003c\/em\u003e caught me by the throat and didn’t let go.” — Alix Ohlin, Scotiabank Giller Prize–shortlisted author of \u003cem\u003eDual Citizens\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
{"AlsoRecommendedISBN_0":"9781487001117","AlsoRecommendedISBN_1":"9781487001711","AlsoRecommendedISBN_4":"9781487006884","BASICMainSubject":"FIC019000","BASICMainSubjectLiteral":"FICTION \/ Literary","BiographicalNote":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCHRISTY ANN CONLIN\u003c\/strong\u003e is the author of two acclaimed novels, \u003cem\u003eHeave\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Memento\u003c\/em\u003e. She is also the author of the short-fiction collection \u003cem\u003eWatermark\u003c\/em\u003e, which was a finalist for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award and the Forest of Reading Evergreen Award. \u003cem\u003eHeave\u003c\/em\u003e was a national bestseller, a \u003cem\u003eGlobe and Mail \u003c\/em\u003eTop 100 Book, and a finalist for the Amazon.ca First Novel Award, the Thomas H. Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, and the Dartmouth Book Award. Her work has appeared in numerous literary journals including \u003cem\u003eBest Canadian Stories\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eBrick\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eGeist\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eRoom\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eNuméro Cinq\u003c\/em\u003e. Her short fiction has also been longlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize and the American Short Fiction Prize. Her radio broadcast work includes co-creating and hosting CBC \u003cem\u003eFear Itself\u003c\/em\u003e, a national summer radio series. Christy Ann studied theatre at the University of Ottawa and screenplay writing at the University of British Columbia. She was born and raised in seaside Nova Scotia, where she still resides.\u003c\/p\u003e","BISACSubjectLiteral_0":"FICTION \/ Literary","BISACSubjectLiteral_1":"FICTION \/ Small Town \u0026amp; Rural","BISACSubjectLiteral_2":"FICTION \/ Thrillers \/ General","BISACSubject_0":"FIC019000","BISACSubject_1":"FIC066000","BISACSubject_2":"FIC031000","ContributorBio_0":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCHRISTY ANN CONLIN\u003c\/strong\u003e is the author of two acclaimed novels, \u003cem\u003eHeave\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Memento\u003c\/em\u003e. She is also the author of the short-fiction collection \u003cem\u003eWatermark\u003c\/em\u003e, which was a finalist for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award and the Forest of Reading Evergreen Award. \u003cem\u003eHeave\u003c\/em\u003e was a national bestseller, a \u003cem\u003eGlobe and Mail \u003c\/em\u003eTop 100 Book, and a finalist for the Amazon.ca First Novel Award, the Thomas H. Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, and the Dartmouth Book Award. Her work has appeared in numerous literary journals including \u003cem\u003eBest Canadian Stories\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eBrick\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eGeist\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eRoom\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eNuméro Cinq\u003c\/em\u003e. Her short fiction has also been longlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize and the American Short Fiction Prize. Her radio broadcast work includes co-creating and hosting CBC \u003cem\u003eFear Itself\u003c\/em\u003e, a national summer radio series. Christy Ann studied theatre at the University of Ottawa and screenplay writing at the University of British Columbia. She was born and raised in seaside Nova Scotia, where she still resides.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n","ContributorRole_0":"By (author)","Contributor_0":"Conlin, Christy Ann (CA)","Description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Dark family secrets, the lore of the sea, and a tender, protective friendship between women all converge in \u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy\u003c\/em\u003e, an unusual and surprising story set in idyllic rural Nova Scotia. With subtle humour, Conlin picks the locks on the long-closed doors of two families and bares the ugly, painful skeletons everyone knew were there but chose to hide.” — Sylvia D. Hamilton, author of \u003cem\u003eAnd I Alone Escaped To Tell You\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy\u003c\/em\u003e captures the unbearable cost of childhood betrayal and what happens when history is suppressed, our past is forgotten — yet finding the truth can change the future. Christy Ann Conlin rips into the myths and stereotypes about older women and those on the edge of conventional society to reveal the timeless gift of mercy in this feminist tour de force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Christy Ann Conlin is a conjurer: of place, people, and the haunting past. I was instantly caught up in the darkly mysterious world and indelible characters she has brought to life. Gripping, suspenseful, and lyrically written, \u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy\u003c\/em\u003e caught me by the throat and didn’t let go.” — Alix Ohlin, Scotiabank Giller Prize–shortlisted author of \u003cem\u003eDual Citizens\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","EAN":"9781487003418","excerpt_0":"https:\/\/biblioshare.org\/BNCservices\/BNCServices.asmx\/Samples?token=fcf85c1c1b298e99\u0026amp;ean=9781487003418\u0026amp;SAN=\u0026amp;Perspective=excerpt\u0026amp;FileNumber=0","Imprint":"House of Anansi Press","MetaKeywords":"feminism;small town;east coast;canada;family drama;corruption;trauma;assisted living;abuse of power;rural;nova scotia;repressed memories;friendship;elderly;senior citizens;relationships;secrets;cold case;investigation;mental illness;canadian fiction;womens literature;gender studies;gerontology;heave;momento;watermark;literary;mystery;mothers day;book club;reading circle","OtherText_Accolades_0":"The Speed of Mercy is a disturbing, elliptical, powerful mystery that becomes intoxicating as the pages turn. It is a lyrical meditation on betrayal and loss, the cruel forces of aging and confinement, and the quirkiness of memory as it recedes and rises like the salty Bay of Fundy waters that haunt this compelling novel. The Speed of Mercy is also a passionate testament to the resilience of those who have been wronged, and to their refusal to cave in the face of human evil. I love this novel.","OtherText_Accolades_0_Auth":"Lawrence Hill, bestselling and award-winning author of The Illegal and The Book of Negroes","OtherText_Accolades_1":"Moving, funny, and propulsive. In prose both lyrical and sharp, compassionate and wise, Christy Ann Conlin delivers a page-turner with a fierce heart at its core.","OtherText_Accolades_1_Auth":"Mona Awad, author of Bunny","OtherText_Accolades_2":"Christy Ann Conlin is a conjurer: of place, people, and the haunting past. I was instantly caught up in the darkly mysterious world and indelible characters she has brought to life. Gripping, suspenseful, and lyrically written, The Speed of Mercy caught me by the throat and didn’t let go.","OtherText_Accolades_2_Auth":"Alix Ohlin, Scotiabank Giller Prize–shortlisted author of Dual Citizens","OtherText_Accolades_3":"Dark family secrets, the lore of the sea, and a tender, protective friendship between women all converge in The Speed of Mercy, an unusual and surprising story set in idyllic rural Nova Scotia. With subtle humour, Conlin picks the locks on the long-closed doors of two families and bares the ugly, painful skeletons everyone knew were there but chose to hide. At the end she has you wondering just what mysteries your own family might be hiding.","OtherText_Accolades_3_Auth":"Sylvia D. Hamilton, author of And I Alone Escaped To Tell You","OtherText_Back_cover_copy_0":"\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe story is both timely and topical, touching on young female friendship and the value of one’s chosen family.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eThe author is a well-known and celebrated East Coast talent, a master of the North Atlantic Gothic style and tone.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eChristy Ann Conlin’s debut novel, \u003cem\u003eHeave \u003c\/em\u003e(2002), was a finalist for the Amazon.ca First Novel Award.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","OtherText_Long_description_1":"\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe story is both timely and topical, touching on young female friendship and the value of one’s chosen family.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe author is a well-known and celebrated East Coast talent, a master of the North Atlantic Gothic style and tone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChristy Ann Conlin’s debut novel, \u003cem\u003eHeave \u003c\/em\u003e(2002), was a finalist for the Amazon.ca First Novel Award.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","OtherText_Previous_review_q_0":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eREVIEW COPIES:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eBooklist\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","OtherText_Quote_from_review_0":"\u003cp\u003e“Eerie and timeless, this powerful story about trauma, resilience, and finding your voice proves powerfully relevant for 2021 … Conlin shows a remarkable ability to evoke an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.”\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n","OtherText_Quote_from_review_1":"\u003cp\u003e“[Christy Ann Conlin] uses breathtaking prose to explore insidious commodification of women, ruthlessly deconstructing stereotypes of female capability, worth, ageism, and mental illness … \u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy\u003c\/em\u003e is a stunning literary work. Conlin’s writing is nothing short of brilliant, and her ability to create characters who are flawed, mercurial and magnetic is effortless.”\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n","OtherText_Quote_from_review_2":"\u003cp\u003e“Written with the intrigue of a thriller and executed with the mystical grace of poetry, \u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy \u003c\/em\u003eis a fierce and thoughtful novel about trauma, healing, and the tender covenant made between survivors.”\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n","OtherText_Review_0":"\u003cp\u003e“[Christy Ann Conlin] uses breathtaking prose to explore insidious commodification of women, ruthlessly deconstructing stereotypes of female capability, worth, ageism, and mental illness … \u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy\u003c\/em\u003e is a stunning literary work. Conlin’s writing is nothing short of brilliant, and her ability to create characters who are flawed, mercurial and magnetic is effortless.”\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_0_Src":"Globe and Mail","OtherText_Review_1":"\u003cp\u003e“[Christy Ann Conlin has] a truly distinctive voice … [\u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy\u003c\/em\u003e] features characters you don’t usually see: older, rural women.”\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_1_Src":"Toronto Star","OtherText_Review_2":"\u003cp\u003e“Eerie and timeless, this powerful story about trauma, resilience, and finding your voice proves powerfully relevant for 2021 … Conlin shows a remarkable ability to evoke an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.”\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_2_Src":"Winnipeg Free Press","OtherText_Review_3":"\u003cp\u003e“Written with the intrigue of a thriller and executed with the mystical grace of poetry, \u003cem\u003eThe Speed of Mercy \u003c\/em\u003eis a fierce and thoughtful novel about trauma, healing, and the tender covenant made between survivors.”\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_3_Src":"Quill \u0026 Quire","OtherText_ShortDescription_0":"A riveting and lyrical novel about a childhood friendship and the dark secrets uncovered in a small Nova Scotia town over the course of one summer.","ProductFormDescription":"epub","PublicationDate":"2021-03-23","Publisher":"House of Anansi Press Inc","ShortDescription":"A riveting and lyrical novel about a childhood friendship and the dark secrets uncovered in a small Nova Scotia town over the course of one summer."}
The Speed of Mercy
A riveting and lyrical novel about a childhood friendship and the dark secrets uncovered in a small Nova Scotia town over the course of one summer.
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{"id":6598226804795,"title":"The Hunter and the Old Woman","handle":"the-hunter-and-the-old-woman","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe intertwined story of a cougar and a man that portrays the strength, vulnerability, and consciousness of two top predators. Not since \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife of Pi \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehave we encountered such transcendence or walked so fully in the footsteps of a big cat.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe “Old Woman” lives in the wild, searching for food, raising her cubs, and avoiding the two-legged creatures who come into her territory. But she is more than an animal — she is a mythic creature who haunts the lives and the dreams of men. Joseph Brandt has been captivated by the mountain lion’s legend since childhood, and one day he steps into the forest to seek her out. A classic in the making, \u003cem\u003eThe Hunter and the Old Woman\u003c\/em\u003e is a mesmerizing portrait of two animals united by a shared destiny.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2021-06-10T17:26:55-04:00","created_at":"2021-06-09T16:37:16-04:00","vendor":"House of Anansi Press Inc","type":"","tags":["Book Club Picks","By (author) Korgemagi Pamela","House of Anansi Press","Literary Fiction","pub date: 2021-08-03"],"price":1999,"price_min":1999,"price_max":3499,"available":true,"price_varies":true,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":39463661043771,"title":"epub","option1":"epub","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781487008260","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Hunter and the Old Woman - epub","public_title":"epub","options":["epub"],"price":1999,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"9781487008260","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":39463663829051,"title":"trade paperback","option1":"trade paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781487008253","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Hunter and the Old Woman - trade paperback","public_title":"trade paperback","options":["trade paperback"],"price":2499,"weight":481,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781487008253","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":39517323690043,"title":"Digital Audio, MP3","option1":"Digital Audio, MP3","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781487011031","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Hunter and the Old Woman - Digital Audio, MP3","public_title":"Digital Audio, MP3","options":["Digital Audio, MP3"],"price":3499,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"9781487011031","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":39517323821115,"title":"Lossless Format Audio, WAV","option1":"Lossless Format Audio, WAV","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781487011048","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Hunter and the Old Woman - Lossless Format Audio, WAV","public_title":"Lossless Format Audio, WAV","options":["Lossless Format Audio, WAV"],"price":3499,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"9781487011048","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/houseofanansi.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BNCImageAPI_0c9c8871-7c36-4287-8ae5-b4a1a5188337.jpg?v=1647170952"],"featured_image":"\/\/houseofanansi.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BNCImageAPI_0c9c8871-7c36-4287-8ae5-b4a1a5188337.jpg?v=1647170952","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":21614073348155,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2400,"width":1575,"src":"\/\/houseofanansi.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BNCImageAPI_0c9c8871-7c36-4287-8ae5-b4a1a5188337.jpg?v=1647170952"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2400,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/houseofanansi.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BNCImageAPI_0c9c8871-7c36-4287-8ae5-b4a1a5188337.jpg?v=1647170952","width":1575}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe intertwined story of a cougar and a man that portrays the strength, vulnerability, and consciousness of two top predators. Not since \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife of Pi \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehave we encountered such transcendence or walked so fully in the footsteps of a big cat.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe “Old Woman” lives in the wild, searching for food, raising her cubs, and avoiding the two-legged creatures who come into her territory. But she is more than an animal — she is a mythic creature who haunts the lives and the dreams of men. Joseph Brandt has been captivated by the mountain lion’s legend since childhood, and one day he steps into the forest to seek her out. A classic in the making, \u003cem\u003eThe Hunter and the Old Woman\u003c\/em\u003e is a mesmerizing portrait of two animals united by a shared destiny.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
{"AlsoRecommendedISBN_0":"9781487000578","AlsoRecommendedISBN_1":"9781487000745","AlsoRecommendedISBN_2":"9781487001711","BASICMainSubject":"FIC077000","BASICMainSubjectLiteral":"FICTION \/ Nature \u0026 the Environment","BiographicalNote":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAMELA KORGEMAGI\u003c\/strong\u003e is a graduate of York University’s creative writing program. \u003cem\u003eThe Hunter and the Old Woman\u003c\/em\u003e is her debut novel. She lives and works in Toronto.\u003c\/p\u003e","BISACSubjectLiteral_0":"FICTION \/ Nature \u0026amp; the Environment","BISACSubjectLiteral_1":"FICTION \/ Literary","BISACSubjectLiteral_2":"FICTION \/ Small Town \u0026amp; Rural","BISACSubject_0":"FIC077000","BISACSubject_1":"FIC019000","BISACSubject_2":"FIC066000","ContributorBio_0":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAMELA KORGEMAGI\u003c\/strong\u003e is a graduate of York University’s creative writing program. \u003cem\u003eThe Hunter and the Old Woman\u003c\/em\u003e is her debut novel. She lives and works in Toronto.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n","ContributorRole_0":"By (author)","Contributor_0":"Korgemagi, Pamela (CA)","Description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe intertwined story of a cougar and a man that portrays the strength, vulnerability, and consciousness of two top predators. Not since \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife of Pi \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehave we encountered such transcendence or walked so fully in the footsteps of a big cat.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe “Old Woman” lives in the wild, searching for food, raising her cubs, and avoiding the two-legged creatures who come into her territory. But she is more than an animal — she is a mythic creature who haunts the lives and the dreams of men. Joseph Brandt has been captivated by the mountain lion’s legend since childhood, and one day he steps into the forest to seek her out. A classic in the making, \u003cem\u003eThe Hunter and the Old Woman\u003c\/em\u003e is a mesmerizing portrait of two animals united by a shared destiny.\u003c\/p\u003e","EAN":"9781487008260","excerpt_0":"https:\/\/biblioshare.org\/BNCservices\/BNCServices.asmx\/Samples?token=fcf85c1c1b298e99\u0026amp;ean=9781487008260\u0026amp;SAN=\u0026amp;Perspective=excerpt\u0026amp;FileNumber=0","Imprint":"House of Anansi Press","MetaKeywords":"book club;summer reading;escapist reads;motherhood;magical realism;animals in books;canadian literature;contemporary fiction","OtherText_Accolades_0":"\u003cp\u003eThe Old Woman of Pamela Korgemagi’s hypnotically gripping novel is a North American cougar, and its persona is a creative achievement unknown in literature. Korgemagi completely inhabits her alien protagonist, convincing us not what a cougar is like, but what it is like to be a cougar. The story’s Hunter is human, and his development from child to adult is revealed in step with the animal’s, until their lives finally intersect. It is a novel of rare empathy and insight that gives a convincing portrayal of lives spent in the wild — and what it is like to be alive with \u003cem\u003eand\u003c\/em\u003e without the familiar human awareness of self and time.\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Accolades_0_Auth":"Michael Redhill, Scotiabank Giller Prize–winning author of Bellevue Square","OtherText_Back_cover_copy_0":"\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe story will appeal to readers living urban lives who crave a connection with the wild and enjoy evocative nature writing.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cem \u003eThe Hunter and the Old Woman \u003c\/em\u003eis a mainstream literary novel with commercial appeal.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA modern classic in the making, calling to mind the primal struggle between Captain Ahab and his arch rival, Moby Dick.\u003cstrong \u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n","OtherText_Description_for_R_0":"\u003cp\u003eThe Cougar’s first memory was of meat. She and her sister had just begun to notice their mother’s absence when one day she returned clutching a leg of deer in her mouth, the flesh bright and bloody, the hoof smeared with mud. The Cougar and her sister sat in rapt silence as they watched their mother, paws clutching the disembodied leg as she stripped the meat from the bone, rasping it clean with her tongue, the white fur around her mouth becoming stained with blood.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt was not long after that they left their lair for the first time. The Cougar and her sister followed their mother along the lakeside, through tall grass. Molten clouds hung above the horizon where the sun had made its descent. A dampness crept into the air as darkness cooled the forest. The cubs stayed close to their mother as she led them through the shadowed trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Cougar was amazed by her own ability to see into the dark, as if everything produced its own light. Aside from this distracting power of sight, she did not understand the many sounds coming from all around her. She tried to pinpoint a single source, but there was too much at once and she became afraid. The Cougar stopped and yowled, but her mother continued on, calling for her to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThey followed a path worn into the forest floor, a sheer rock face at their side. The air was damp. Ahead she heard the sound of crickets. The rock came to an end and they were at the edge of a thicket of dense bush. The Cougar smelled it on the air, then she saw the deer on the ground, looking as if it had merely laid down to rest. She saw the set of antlers like branches sprouting from its head. Its body was enormous. The Cougar herself was barely the size of its rump. She believed her mother must possess great skill and cunning if she could convince such an animal to lay down its life for her.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut when the Cougar and her sister stood before the deer they saw the nature of its death; its head thrown back, its neck ripped open, shredded tubular matter glistening in the moonlight. The Cougar knew then it had not been as simple as commanding the deer to lie down. There was something dangerous about this exchange and she was struck with a sense of awe at the strength and mastery this would require.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTheir mother stood waiting, watching into the trees as the cubs ate quietly, distracted by the sounds in the surrounding night, their ears twitching at every snap and skitter in the dark. It was difficult to apply focus in such chaos. But their mother stood by, unmoved. It seemed she was not afraid.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen the Cougar and her sister had eaten their fill, their mother began scraping up dirt and twigs to cover the deer. She retrieved a fallen branch from nearby, its dried leaves rattling as she dragged it over. The Cougar and her sister watched, taking note of this strange ritual. In the end, the deer was not completely covered, but it seemed the point was not to bury it, only to mark it as claimed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThey walked along the lakeshore on their way back to the lair, the half-moon reflected on the surface of the water. An owl hooted as the cougars passed. The Cougar’s Mother turned, looking toward the trees where the owl perched on a branch. The Cougar looked into the trees, trying to see the owl, but she could not find it. She was displeased that the owl could see her but she could not see it, that it would call out, alerting others to their presence, and she decided then that birds were not to her liking.\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Quote_from_review_0":"\u003cp\u003e“The parallel fates of these fully drawn characters, The Hunter and The Old Woman, feel intimate and urgent.”\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n","OtherText_Quote_from_review_1":"\u003cp\u003e“The Old Woman of Pamela Korgemagi’s hypnotically gripping novel is a North American cougar, and its persona is a creative achievement unknown in literature. Korgemagi completely inhabits her alien protagonist, convincing us not what a cougar is like, but what it is like to be a cougar. The story’s Hunter is human, and his development from child to adult is revealed in step with the animal’s, until their lives finally intersect. It is a novel of rare empathy and insight that gives a convincing portrayal of lives spent in the wild — and what it is like to be alive with \u003cem\u003eand\u003c\/em\u003e without the familiar human awareness of self and time.” — Michael Redhill, Scotiabank Giller Prize–winning author of \u003cem\u003eBellevue Square\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n","OtherText_Review_0":"\u003cp\u003eThe parallel fates of these fully drawn characters, The Hunter and The Old Woman, feel intimate and urgent.\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_0_Auth":"Michael Redhill, Scotiabank Giller Prize–winning author of Bellevue Square","OtherText_Review_0_Src":"Lit Hub","OtherText_Review_1":"\u003cp\u003eThe parallel fates of these fully drawn characters, The Hunter and The Old Woman, feel intimate and urgent.\u003c\/p\u003e","OtherText_Review_1_Src":"Lit Hub","OtherText_ShortDescription_0":"The intertwined story of a cougar and a man that portrays the strength, vulnerability, and consciousness of two top predators. Not since \u003cem\u003eLife of Pi \u003c\/em\u003ehave we encountered such transcendence or walked so fully in the footsteps of a big cat.","ProductFormDescription":"epub","PublicationDate":"2021-08-03","Publisher":"House of Anansi Press Inc","ShortDescription":"The intertwined story of a cougar and a man that portrays the strength, vulnerability, and consciousness of two top predators. Not since \u003cem\u003eLife of Pi \u003c\/em\u003ehave we encountered such transcendence or walked so fully in the footsteps of a big cat."}
The Hunter and the Old Woman
The intertwined story of a cougar and a man that portrays the strength, vulnerability, and consciousness of two top predators. Not since Life of Pi have we encountered such transcendence or walked so fully in the footsteps of a big cat.
