An oblique look at the capriciousness of modern life, this is the story of the Canary family. Little Joan is exquisitely tiny, plays the piano like Mozart and lives in a closet. Her sister Marcy is a numphomaniac with a poodle fixation, while Sonia is enormous, earns a fortune clipping0
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The Canarys are quite unlike any other family. Little Joan is exquisite, reclusive and plays the piano like Mozart. Her sister Marcy is a nymphomaniac, while Sonja is enormous and knits compulsively. Their parents by comparison seem quite normal, but then they have their own peculiar habits.
‘‘This book begins with the birth of its central figure, a tiny, white-haired, angelically beautiful child, who is thought to have cried, ‘Oh no, not again!’ at her first sight of the world, and is thereafter mute. She takes up residence in a closet, and becomes the repository of all her family’s secrets; and very odd secrets they are. Then she refashions them into her own explosive work of art. Barbara Gowdy surprises and delights; she also – which is rarer – gives us moments which are at the same time preposterous and strangely moving.’’
MARGARET ATWOOD
‘‘Barbara Gowdy has a sharp, surreal edge and a beguiling sense of humour; her prose comes from a darker place whose other residents include Lorrie Moore and Alice Munro. 'Mister Sandman' is funny and moving at the same time – strange rather than wacky; touching rather than sentimental. Gowdy invites the reader’s complicity, and makes us fall in love with her characters... a subtle and original talent.’’
JESSAMY CALKIN, 'Observer'
‘’This is one of the most extraordinary books I have ever read. Gowdy takes the ordinary and turns it inside out. The writing is studded with unlikely, apposite metaphors, conceits, 'bons mots', puns and mordant humour. Gowdy has performed a sleight of hand – she made what is strange seem normal.’’
ALICE THOMSON, 'Scotman'
‘‘Gowdy has written a great novel – funny, bizarre and strange. She deserves to be catapulted into the front rank of Canadian novelists.’’
IAN CRITCHLEY, 'Literary Review'
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Book Description Condition: Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # A10J-00139
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. An oblique look at the capriciousness of modern life, this is the story of the Canary family. Little Joan is exquisitely tiny, plays the piano like Mozart and lives in a closet. Her sister Marcy is a numphomaniac with a poodle fixation, while Sonia is enormous, earns a fortune clipping0. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR005661302
Book Description Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780002254151
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780002254151