Commune: A Novel - Softcover

Kennedy, Des

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1990776515 ISBN 13: 9781990776519

Publisher: Harbour Publishing, 2024

Synopsis

This is the spellbinding story of six young dreamers who set out from Vancouver in the seventies to haphazardly establish a back-to-the-land commune on a small island in the Salish Sea.

Against all odds, the dream endures for half a century through fierce internecine squabbling, occasional community uproar, births and deaths, disasters in animal husbandry, the War in the Woods, police raids and the blandishments of oily developers. But throughout it all what abides is the land itself, its gifts and spirits and seasonal graces. A story within a story, the tale is told by the commune’s sole remaining occupant to an enigmatic stranger. Herself a recent urban exile exploring the ways of rural living, she succeeds in coaxing him through his rememberings away from grief into renewed life.

Des Kennedy brings his signature humor and intimate knowledge of gardens and woodlands to this engaging novel. Throughout Commune, Kennedy poses the big questions—how do we best live our lives? Build community? Create a new paradigm for raising kids, growing food and honoring the genius of our place?

About this title

About the Author

Des Kennedy is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, author and environmental activist. He is the author of four books of essays including a memoir, The Passionate Gardener (Greystone Books, 2006), and three novels including Climbing Patrick's Mountain (Brindle & Glass, 2009). Noted as one of the most influential personalities on the Canadian gardening scene, Kennedy writes a regular column for BCLiving magazine and has been a columnist for the Globe and Mail. He lives on Denman Island, BC.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harbour Publishing
• Publication date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1990776515
• ISBN 13: 9781990776519
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352