Fascinating Historical Read…
I finished reading Canadian Sunrise several weeks ago, but it has taken me until now to write its review. Was the book a terrible read? No, in fact, just the opposite was true. However, there was an enormity of historical information to process, hence the delay.
Prior to the infamous Lewis and Clark expedition there were two French Canadians: Pierre-Esprit Radisson and his brother-in-law Medard, Sieur Des Groseilliers who embarked upon their own exploratory adventures that culminated in their co-founding of The Hudson’s Bay Company. In Canadian Sunrise, author Robert N. List writes a vivid tale about these two intrepid explorers. It’s also quite obvious that List spent a good amount of time researching the various locations and different cultures/histories for this novel.
The reader’s journey begins on a cold winter’s day in the fur post known as Three Rivers. Fast forward several months to spring and we watch while Pierre chafes at being under a house arrest of sorts due to the savagery of the Mohawk raiding parties. While the men that reside within the fur post need to hunt to put food on the table for their families – they are hesitant to leave the relative safety of the wooden walls that surround them.
Several days more pass and the men amass a hunting party. Skies are clear; the sun shines and Pierre forgets himself in his hunt for geese, ducks and other game. The setting sun brings him back to the reality of his surroundings and he becomes alarmed when he realizes he has heard no gunfire or other noises from his companions. As he sets off in search of the men, his nose begins to bleed and it is then that he is filled with dread. His nosebleeds always herald trouble… Thus starts Pierre’s lifelong journey into the wilds and unknown.
I don’t want to provide any more of the story within Canadian Sunrise but I will say it was a fantastic historical read although definitely, definitely not for the faint of heart. There is a reason we called the American Indians ‘Savages’ and interested readers would do well to remember that. (List was as accurate as possible in all of his accountings).
In summary, Canadian Sunrise by Robert N. List was well-written, historically accurate and extremely informative. A ‘must read’ for all Historical Fiction lovers. Five stars…