Three Day Road

Joseph Boyden is batting 1000 as far as I'm concerned. Didn't think I could possibly like this as much as his latest, Orenda - but it blew me away. Boyden should be writing all the histories. It's jaw droppingly good.

We follow two young Cree boys determined to join the men going overseas for WWI. They join the Southern Ontario Rifles and subsequently see fighting at the Somme, Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele while proving themselves able snipers.

Elijah begins to relish his role in the war. He is good at killing men and is tinged with the glow of his growing addiction to morphine. Xavier, on the other hand, begins to withdraw from the horrors he cannot help but see.

Boyden jumps from scenes during war, to the aftermath as an elderly Niska paddles her nephew home. We see her childhood, growing up the daughter of a windigo killer then jump to the Xavier and Elijah as young boys growing up in Moose Factory. Their stories are all tied together and beautifully managed. Loved this book.