Friday 22 October 2010

Book Review: Coppermine by Keith Leckie

About the Book: In 1913, two Catholic priests disappear in the remot Arctic region known as the Coppermine. Northwest Mounted Police office Jack Creed and Angituk McAndrew, a young Copper Inuit interpreter, are sent on a year-long odyssey to investigate the fate of the lost priests. On the shores of the Arctic Ocean, near the mouth of the Coppermine River, they discover the mutilated remains of the missionaries. Two Inuit hunters are tracked and apprehended, and together the four begin the dangerous, arduous journey to Edmonton. At the top of the world, the brutal Arctic winter descends, and the fight for survival, and justice, begins.

My thoughts: Inspired by real life events, this excellent work of fiction combines history, mystery, adventure and romance while exploring the differences and similarities between the Inuit and the Western "civilization" of Edmonton, all set in the frigid white north of my home and native land.

The interplay between the characters is fascinating, especially when the two Inuit are put on trial and the reason behind the murders is gradually revealed, and you're on the edge of your seat awaiting the verdict of the jury.

The storyline was fantastic, the history was even more intriguing than I was expecting, the portrayal of the Inuit worldview was enlightening and the plot twists were unexpected. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Definitely two thumbs up!

Thank you to Penguin Group for providing me with my complimentary review copy of Coppermine.

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