Page 69 - Phonebox Magazine April 2010

Book Review
By Oxfam Bookshop, Olney The Stone Carvers by Jane Urquhart
IN THE MIDDLE of the nineteenth century Pater Archangel Gstir was called by God to leave Bavaria and go to Canada. Journeying through the inhospitable forests of Upper Canada he came to a valley where a saw mill and flour mill had been built, and it was there he decided to build his church. He was fortunate to meet a fellow- Bavarian, Joseph Becker, a wood carver who worked at the saw mill, and together they built the first wooden church, subsequently superseded by one made of stone.
Time passed, Joseph Becker became grandfather to two children, and hoped to teach his carving skills to his grandson. But it was his grand-daughter, Klara, who inherited his talent; her brother developed a wanderlust and became a runaway.
The story moves on, from the nineteenth century to the First World War and beyond. Each of the main characters has a story to tell, against the background of the difficult life of pioneers coping with hot summers and harsh winters. A community grows up round the two mills and the church, fiercely independent, yet supportive of one another. The war affects them in various ways, their German ancestry contrasting with their pride in being Canadian, part of the British Empire. Consequently only one young man responds to the call for soldiers, one from a different background. But his story intertwines with that of the Becker family, his decision affects them.
The stone carvers of the title are those who work on the Vimy Memorial, the Canadian First World War Monument built near Arras in France. Walter Allward, the sculptor who designed and had oversight of the monument is a historical figure, but the story which involves him in the lives of the characters in the novel is one of fiction – though the monument exists. It is the account of building the monument, with its magnificent stone carvings, which brings the book to its climax.
The author is Canadian, living in Ontario, and her novel was listed for the Booker prize. It is a gentle, thoughtful story written with skill and insight. It captivates and enthrals the reader.
Review by Thelma Shacklady
Ex Libris: confessions of a common reader by Anne Fadiman
ANNE FADIMAN is the editor of the American Scholar and has written for the Washington Post and the New York Times. She also comes from a highly literate and literary background - so, in Virginia Woolfe's sense, and for most of us - a common reader she is not. However, for almost anyone who loves books and reading there will be echoes and moments of recognition in this collection of 18 essays written over four years. Topics range widely: children and books, books and places, shelving and books, plagiarism, bookshops, unusual and out-of-fashion words, the compulsion to proof-read menus and, of course, “the many peculiar obsessions which books can cause in the most level-headed of people”.
Fadiman’s writing is warm and witty and the tone and content are very personal but many of the insights offered are universal and very reassuring for those of us who feel books and reading are central to our existence; who cannot live without the library and the book shop and for whom, “the temptations of drink are paltry compared with the temptations of books.” If you feel that every search in a book shop “is a voyage to the Indies, a quest for buried treasure, a journey to the end of the rainbow;” then this is a book to confirm you in your addiction - and reassure you that you are not alone.
Review by Sandra Metcalf
Reviews brought to you by Oxfam Books & Music Stanley Court, Olney
Tel: 01234 714592
OPENING HOURS
Mon – Sat: 10am – 4.30pm
First Sunday of each month (Farmers’ Market): 10.30am – 1.30pm
The books reviewed above are from Oxfam Books and Music, Olney, which sells donated books, records, CDs, tapes and music to raise money for Oxfam’s work in combating poverty around the world.
The food was great and they really tried to look after the westerners and at breakfast we would often be given a massive plate of lettuce leaves, but not sure what we were suppose to do with them. The
underprivileged children in Milton Keynes. We have almost made our target of £5,700 which is a great achievement and will go a long way to help. We will find out over the new few weeks where our money has gone, but please be assured its all going to our local children and will make a real difference.
dinners were great, pork, beef and chicken dishes with the odd veg dish thrown in. No folk or spoon in sight. It was great to experience the local dishes but I think everyone was glad that for our last meal we opted to go to the Hard Rock Café, hee hee!
We would therefore like to say a HUGE
THANK YOU to everyone that supported us throughout our challenge. As you know there was lots of disappointing days with the rain getting in on almost every outdoor event we did. We couldnʼt have done it without your support, so once again THANK YOU.
I could go on for a few pages to let you know how fab the trek was, but I am sure that would send you to sleep ☺ I hope you get an idea of the trip.
Sarah & Sally x
We mustnʼt loose track of why we went. We went so we could support the Have a Heart charity to help
If you would like to support us on this challenge, we have set up an online fundraising web page: http://www.doitforcharity.com/sarah&sally
If you would like further information on Have a Heart please call Have a Heart on 0870 202 8000 or visit www.heart.co.uk
Phonebox Magazine 69