PreviewsIssue 86, Spring/Summer 2025
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Cattail Lane
A Novel
Fran Kimmel
Compassionate and thoroughly engaging, this novel follows three fully drawn characters: Nick, who is suddenly the father of a 14-year-old whose grandmother can no longer look after him; Billy, that newly discovered son, who spends all his time caring for his grandmother now in the dementia ward of Prairie View Manor; and Sarah, a housekeeper on the dementia ward and the mother of an offbeat five-year-old, and the one who just might help Nick and Billy learn to offer second chances and open themselves up to futures they’d never before imagined.
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Chrystia
From Peace River to Parliament Hill
Catherine Tsalikis
With impeccable research, seasoned perspective, and an accessible style, Tsalikis traces Chrystia Freeland’s journey from the northwestern Alberta town of Peace River to Moscow, London, and New York – where she spent two decades as a journalist – to the halls of Parliament Hill as the deputy prime minister and finance minister in Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government.
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City Rising
The Bend in the River
David Rotenberg
On the Holy Mountain, in 250 BCE, the First Emperor warned his people to watch for the White Ships on Water, and in 1841, they arrive – British Men of War ships carrying opium. This novel tells of two destitute Baghdadi Jews who become opium lords, their battles with the British companies, and their love of the City at the Bend in the River – Shanghai.
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City Rising
The Ivory Compact
David Rotenberg
This sprawling historical epic spanning 200 years continues the story of the two opium lords and the progress and fulfillment of the prophecies.
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Confronting Illiberalism
A Canadian Perspective
Peter MacKinnon
This book examines the defining features of Canadian liberal democracy and the growing anti-liberal behaviours and developments that undermine or challenge their foundation, such as claims that are made in the name of freedom, the decline of Canadian politics, the increase of hate crimes, the persistence of inequality, and the vulnerability of Canadian institutions.
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Count d’Esterhazy and the Esterhaz-Kaposvar Hungarian Colony in Western Canada
Joseph G. Nagy
Among the waves of immigrants who came from Europe to Canada in the late 1800s were the Hungarian and Western Slavic settlers who founded the Esterhaz Colony, later known as the Kaposvar and Kolin districts, in southeastern Saskatchewan. This book offers insight into the area and the key figure, Count Paul O. d’Esterhazy, an immigration agent for the Canadian government, who worked tirelessly to promote immigration to these districts and to improve the lives of the people who settled there.
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Crave
Cupcakes, Cakes, Cookies, and More from an Iconic Bakery
Carolyne McIntyre Jackson, Jodi
To celebrate the Alberta bakery’s 20th year in business, owners Carolyne and Jodi share over 70 of their favourite sweet recipes, and also include stories about the bakery’s history and people, detailed how-tos on filling and decorating, and information about stocking a pantry and key kitchen tools.
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Dad, Is It Time to Gather Mint?
Celebrating the Seasons
Tyna Legault Taylor, Michelle Dao (Illustrator)
In English with both Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin words, this land-based story follows a young boy who loves to gather mint with his father in the summer. Together they observe the changes and participate in activities of the fall, winter, and spring, before it is time to gather mint. Warmly and colourfully illustrated, this book includes a recipe for mint iced tea, a glossary, and a pronunciation guide.
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Dans la cour des grands : Le parcours d’un audacieux
Roger Turenne
Ces mémoires d’un audacieux, originaire d’un petit village francophone du Manitoba, qui a osé jouer dans la cour des grands, s’échelonnent sur huit décennies et trois continents. L’auteur raconte son cheminement en tant que personne engagée qui a mis son sens de l’intérêt public au service des autres : au ministère des Affaires extérieures du Canada, puis en tant que conseiller spécial auprès du gouvernement manitobain, et enfin, bénévolement, comme environnementaliste cherchant à protéger les environnements naturels.
This memoir of a bold man, originally from a small French-speaking village in Manitoba, who dared to play in the big leagues, spans eight decades and three continents. The author recounts his journey as a committed person who put his sense of public interest at the service of others, at Canada’s Department of External Affairs, as a special advisor to the Manitoba Government, and finally as a volunteer environmentalist seeking to protect natural environments.
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Dark Chapters
Reading the Still Lives of David Garneau
Nic Wilson (Editor)
Lush with full-colour art throughout, this book implements the TRC Call to Action 83, with Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists – 17 poets, authors, artists, curators, essayists, and critics – collaborating with the still life paintings of David Garneau – provocative paintings that feature books, rocks, and bones – to contribute to the reconciliation process, interrogating and repositioning ideas of colonialism, allyship, knowledge, kinship, and art.
