"This book, because of its accessible style, is an easy read. It travels from the everyday world into one of adventure and suspense, and finally into a page-turner. Perhaps being a dreamer myself, I was fully, completely drawn in. It will be enjoyed by other dreamers and thinkers...Most of all, I loved the story's gradual takeover...of what colonialism has done to the people of our First Nations, the uncovering of further truths needing to be told (or reconciled)."
Jacobson's debut novel is an interesting but easy read that allows the reader to think as deeply as they dare. Many of the details are true to the author's life, but you will likely be able to identify reality's line. The story is both dark and beautiful. Some of life's questions are asked and answered as honestly as possible.
Jacobson was born and raised on Canada's East Coast; however, the majority of the story takes place on an island off the country's West Coast.
The Back Cover: Can a person truly be blamed for trying their hardest to do what is right? It was with nothing but good intentions that I moved to the West Coast of Canada. Unfortunately, tragedy struck, and I am uncertain as to what role I may have played. Thankfully, as far as the investigators are concerned, I am irrelevant. If my actions prove harmful, then I believe the context exonerates me in full.
I journeyed to Canada’s Gulf Islands in search of adventure. The resort that I worked at was one from hell, the perfect spot to experience my own version of the inferno. I found myself isolated and lonely as I struggled to fight my demons. The only true reprieve came when I finally left the damned place. Only a love for nature and some kind humans helped lessen my mind’s heavy burden. Some of this story is true, some is fabricated. I leave you to decide what is what. I also leave you to decide upon my innocence.
It is as difficult to summarize a life as it is to summarize a book, yet here I am doing both. I was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, but my life has always been split between here and there. Only as a young child did I solely exist in one place. This story plays out during arguably the most difficult time in my life. Living in the Gulf Islands was strange; there was no option other than to exist in the moment. It was there in the fire that I found a better version of myself. Between working constantly and feeling cut off from the world, I was forced to slow down. This change in speed compelled me to take a long look in the mirror. When I finally left the Gulf Islands, I was in full control of my life. Since then, I have done my best to always be in one place at a time. It is far too exhausting to exist in the here and there.
