Our May 23 book will be The Strangers by Katherena Vermette. “The Strangers brings readers into the dynamic world of the Stranger family, the strength of their bond, and the shared pain in their past. This is a searing exploration of race, class, inherited trauma, and matrilineal bonds that, despite everything, refuse to be broken. Cedar has nearly forgotten what her family looks like. Phoenix has nearly forgotten what freedom feels like. And Elsie has nearly given up hope. Nearly.
After time spent in foster homes, Cedar goes to live with her estranged father. Although she grapples with the pain of being separated from her mother, Elsie, and sister, Phoenix, she’s hoping for a new chapter in her life, only to find herself once again in a strange house surrounded by strangers. From a youth detention centre, Phoenix gives birth to a baby she’ll never get to raise and tries to forgive herself for all the harm she’s caused (while wondering if she even should). Elsie, struggling with addiction and determined to turn her life around, is buoyed by the idea of being reunited with her daughters and strives to be someone they can depend on, unlike her own distant mother. These are the Strangers, each haunted in her own way. Between flickering moments of warmth and support, the women diverge and reconnect, fighting to survive in a fractured system that pretends to offer success but expects them to fail. Facing the distinct blade of racism from those they trusted most, they urge one another to move through the darkness, all the while wondering if they’ll ever emerge safely on the other side.” – Good Reads
The June 27 book will be Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson. The Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday evening of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 pm (except December) in the Lower Hall. Contact Brianna at [email protected] or 403-836-3626 for more information. Come and join in a lively discussion about a great book.
Click here to the Mount Pleasant Community News home page for the latest Mount Pleasant community updates.
