One of the best books I read this year is The Retreat by David Bergen. Bergen hails from Winnipeg and The Retreat is set close to there in an area that I know well, Lake of the Woods.
It’s 1974, during the summer of the Ojibway occupation of Anicinabe Park in Kenora, Ontario. Raymond is a native boy who falls in love with a white girl whose uncle is in the police force. The family is not keen on their relationship and manage to drive them apart (quite literally). Raymond later meets Lizzy Byrd, who is holidaying at Lake of the Woods at “The Retreat”, a commune run by a woo-woo guru named Dr. Amos. Lizzy’s mother is a fan of Dr. Amos. Lizzy’s father is not, but in an effort to satisfy his wife, he’s brought the family here for the summer.
The summer is a long period of time.
With a cast of characters at the Retreat, as well as the locals, Bergen’s weaves a multilayered story. Kids get lost and almost drown. Family’s break up, and come back together. Regardless of the storyline, each character is complete. Bergen’s characters aren’t two dimensional, even if they only have supporting roles.
The Retreat is a beautifully written novel. Each word finely crafts the story. I really, really enjoyed this book and think Bergen is as gifted as the critics claim (nominee 2008 – Scotiabank Giller Prize, winner 2009 – McNally Robinson Book of the Year, winner 2009 – Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction).
Read an excerpt.
The Retreat by David Bergen
Published by McClelland & Stewart