Kevin Patterson (1)

I find it difficult to write about Consumption. To write about the book easily requires that the book left an impression - whether good or bad - and this one just fell a bit flat.

Of course, there are interesting aspects of life in the Canadian Arctic that come to light in the book.
Of course, there are stylistic elements that Patterson uses - like the symbolism of consumption in its various meanings - throughout the novel to create the feeling of loss that permeates the novel, in which ideas, history, tradition and people are consumed by the spread of "civilisation".

The trouble is, that the book tried to focus on the lives of too many characters to really portray the specific community that is erased by the advance of modern life. The murder mystery that is added in the second half only adds to distract from the point of the novel.… (plus d'informations)

I am going with 3-stars for now, but I am still thinking on this book. It was a bit of a slow build... then a whole whack of crazy activity (almost too much, really)... then.... a bit of a fizzle. In the acknowledgments, Patterson notes that this book was actually, originally, a collection of essays he had been working on. His editor wrangled the essays into novel form. This helped me a bit - at times I did feel that things were priced together, or not flowing too well. The strongest aspect of the novel was how Patterson conveyed such a sense of place, and wonderful depictions of Canada's North. Patterson works as a doctor, and his training and experience certainly came through, adding interesting layers to the story in his depiction of Dr. Balthazar. Unfortunately some plots holes were left and the way some story lines played out left me a bit disappointed and wondering how else things good have gone. Overall, though, I am glad I read this book, and I am enjoying hearing comments and opinions from others who are also reading it as part of a group read on GR.… (plus d'informations)