The Orenda

I've always been jealous of America's ability to mythologize their history. Daniel Boone, Davy Crocket, Pocahontas, Laura Ingalls Wilder all elicit familiar nods. Had the Americans won the battle of 1812 I'm sure we'd still be hearing about it now. Canadian history by contrast seems bloodless and steeped in the Protestant ethic.

So when The Orenda is up for, and wins, Canada Reads 2014 as a “Novel to Change Our Nation” it's got a lot of ground to cover.

The book is narrated in turn by Christophe, a francophone Jesuit missionary bringing the word of God to the New World; Snow Falls, a young Haudenosaunee (adopted) by Bird, a Wendat warrior who killed her family in retaliation for the death of his family at their tribe's hand. Taking place in central Ontario during the 17th century the book is exciting and propulsive. There is the ever looming threat of a horrible death by torture. The Haudenasaunee are eager to “caress” the bodies of their victims for days at a time. Burning, dismemberment, and pain followed by tender ministrations so that the physical trials can continue. This is no Heritage Moment with placid natives pointing to their village intoning “Kanata”.

While I'm sure Boyden adheres closely to historical fact, I frankly don't care. I'm just happy to have an unabashedly Canadian, muscular epic, filled with magic and suspense that was a tremendous read.