Two sisters, Mag and Florrie Larson, live far up Salmon Inlet 25 nautical miles from Sechelt, in a rough dwelling, an inherited grubstake from their father. With only the most basic of education, they make a living by salvaging logs, cutting salal for florists and trapping animals for fur. One day in winter, Mag notices that the hippies at a neighbouring floathouse have not lit a fire to stave off the cold. She and her sister investigate, and return home with a few months old baby who they raise to be a fine young woman.
The story of that relationship is engrossingly told in Sechelt author Rosella Leslie's recent book, The Goat Lady's Daughter, published by Newest Press.
This is a well-written book that truly captures a sense of place, not only in its description of the inlet in all weathers, but in its portrayal of the complexities of small town Sechelt. The adopted daughter, Jen, is sometimes treated with jibes and bullying by her schoolmates and by the town's residents whose attitudes reflect their varied opinions of the two eccentric mothers, particularly the oldest and most difficult, Mag. But more often, Jen is treated with grace and love.
For those readers who have lived in Sechelt over the past decade or two, the characters sound much like the true story of two pioneers, the late Minnie and Bergie Solberg. Leslie befriended the pair, two sisters of Norwegian heritage, who lived in a shack up Sechelt Inlet. Bergie was known as the Cougar Lady and she hunted and trapped for a living, among other jobs. Leslie kept in touch with these colourful women throughout their lives and was inspired by them. For anyone who has ever met Bergie and Minnie, the author's depiction is spot on.Leslie is usually a non-fiction writer accustomed to presenting researched material in a forthright manner. She has collaborated with Betty Keller on a contribution for the award-winning A Stain Upon the Sea. Their essay on the history of fish farming was previously researched and written about in Sea Silver: Inside British Columbia's Salmon Farming Industry, another collaboration with Keller. Her most recent book was The Sunshine Coast: A Place to Be, a helpful guide for visitors.
This is her first novel but it is a format that she has obviously embraced. Her observant eye and shrewd assessment of character has come to the fore and she displays a knack for dialogue that springs the characters from the pages.
Although it is essentially a book for adults, The Goat Lady's Daughter would also be of interest to teenagers. The description of Jen, who grows up in a small town as someone a bit different from the other kids, is frighteningly authentic. Remember Morag Gunn from Margaret Laurence's The Diviners? Leslie has entered the same realm of character development reminiscent of Laurence's strong women.
The Goat Lady's Daughter is available at local bookstores for $22.95.
