The Rural Voice, 2000-01, Page 43Book Review
A book as refreshing as newly -cut hay
Reviewed by Bonnie Gropp
Donna McCaw's Under the Apple
Boughs is a collection of short stories
as refreshing as newly cut hay, as
soothing as Grandma's kitchen.
McCaw, who
was born in
Strathroy and •
raised on a farm
writes with
homespun
charm, an ability
to weave
imagery and
simple
conversational
prose into warm
anecdotes.
An educator, writer, speaker,
workshop leader and music lover,
McCaw, a mother of one who resides
in Elora, has divided Boughs into two
sections. "The Home Place" contains
stories dedicated to farm life while
"The Saskatchewan Suite" is inspired
by memories of her years spent there.
Whether the solid black and white
of simple rural happenings, or
embellished with splashes of
fictional colour, McCaw paints vivid
settings and characters.
Anyone who has ever known the
quiet country backroads recalls their
own Stanley the Bootlegger or the
irascible Margaret. Anyone who
woke with the rooster, or spent
summers visiting grandparents'
farms will remember the freedom of
open fields and the love of open arms
when reading "Ghost Chasing" or "A
Visit to Grandma's".
Displaying a subtle, often self -
deprecating wit, McCaw's tales show
the humour of country folk. While
not negating any stereotypes, her
characters fall short of being
cartoons. Their eccentricities are
given such affectionate treatment by
the author that you laugh with these
people, not at them.
The stories, like the people they
depict show strength and depth of
character. In a simple manner, in a
few words McCaw conveys
messages of faith, loyalty and
f',(/..„(lr.
J
inspiration. She tells of Miss Kate, a
woman of deeply religious
conviction, who seldom enters a
church. "... she thought our church
was pretty grim and that God did not
intend us to be dull.”
There are stories of young people
in trouble and the love and support of
family.
Especially poignant is "My
Grandmother's Quilt" about a life of
trial and the lessons we can learn
from our elders.
Interspersed throughout the book
are snippets and quotes collected
from a variety of sources including
the Women's Institute as well as the
poetry of Dylan Thomas and Doug
Hollingsworth, who adds a poem
which gives permission to use his
poetry.
Boughs also offers country
recipes, a nice fit in one case (a story
that ends with a visit to the neighbour
for cookies includes the recipe for
those treats). In the second case the
connection is more ambiguous, if
even intended, as a visit to a Mexico
jail for a farmer and his wife is
followed by two jam recipes.
All of these seem more filler than
necessary, however, detracting
somewhat from McCaw's earthy and
honest account of rural life.
Under the Apple Bough, published
by OASIS, isn't Alice Munro.
McCaw doesn't quite display the
descriptive or narrative power of the
former. Still, it's a nice read, and
like listening to a chatty friend or a
gifted storyteller, you will enjoy
hearing what she has to say.
In The Home Place, McCaw
includes a quote from Peter
McArthur "the Sage of Ekfrid",
Middlesex County — "To be born on
a farm is the greatest good that can
befall a human being."
Under the Apple Boughs makes
you believe it.0
Under the Apple Boughs — $12.95
Canadian or $10.95 U.S. and can be
obtained by calling OASIS
Publishing, 519-846-0064, e -mailing
dmccaw@sentex.net or send cheque
or moneyorder to Box 810, Elora,
ON NOB 1S0.
•
The deadline for
the
February issue
of
The Rural Voice
is
January 12, 2000
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