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Coppermine
Part epic adventure, part romance, and part true-crime thriller, Coppermine is a dramatic, compelling, character-driven story set in 1917 in the extremes of Canada's far north and the boom town of Edmonton.
The story begins when two missionaries disappear in the remote Arctic region known as the Coppermine. North West Mounted Police officer Jack Creed and Angituk, a young C...more
The story begins when two missionaries disappear in the remote Arctic region known as the Coppermine. North West Mounted Police officer Jack Creed and Angituk, a young C...more
Paperback, 480 pages
Published
October 11th 2011
by Penguin Canada
(first published 2010)
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Based on real events, this historical novel begins in 1913 when two Catholic priests disappear into a remote Arctic area known as the Coppermine. Three years later, RWMP officer Jack Creed is sent to find out what happened to the priests and hires a young Copper Inuit, Angituk McAndrew to serve as interpreter.
Their journey is a long one, and often difficult both physically and emotionally. Near the mouth of the Coppermine on the Arctic Ocean, the two discover the remains of the priests and Creed...more
Their journey is a long one, and often difficult both physically and emotionally. Near the mouth of the Coppermine on the Arctic Ocean, the two discover the remains of the priests and Creed...more
I really liked this book for about 90% of it. The parts where we were being taken through the wilds of northern Canada was beautifully written and stunning in the detail. I especially liked that I finally got to make use of all of that Canadian history I had to learn in order to teach SS 10 this year. I didn't even have to look up who Samuel Hearne was thanks to that course! I especially appreciated the understated style of description Leckie uses. I goes he is primarily a script writer and that...more
This book is a winner from beginning to end. Leckie has written a gripping story set in real history that sweeps us from the relative civilization of Edmonton to the shores of the Arctic Ocean at Coppermine during the time of World War One. Leckie bases his story on the murder trial of Sinnisiak and Uluksuk in 1917, the first jury-system trial of Inuit in Canada. The hero, Jack Creed, is seen first bringing back the bodies of his fellow North West Mounted Police officers murdered by a crazed tra...more
I wasn't at all interested in reading Leckie's book which I know realize was silly as I love reading about the North in books such as Elizabeth Hay's "Late Nights on Air". And this was also an historical murder/mystery which again should have caught my attention since I also enjoyed Louise Penney's "Bury Your Dead" so I am very glad it was chosen by our book club which really is the whole point of being in one - to get you to read books you wouldn't choose yourself.
"Coppermine" is set during WW...more
"Coppermine" is set during WW...more
In 1913, North West Mounted Police officer Jack Creed, along with an Eskimo interpreter journey to the Coppermine River region to investigate the death of two Catholic priests. Creed apprehends two Eskimo hunters who admit their guilt. As the four people take the dangerous trip back to Edmonton, Creed experiences the Eskimo culture and how they have learned to work in concert with Nature in order to survive. After reaching Edmonton, the murder trial is held. Again, it is a collision of two very...more
I’m just finishing up (like last ten pages, so I’m posting now in case I drift into another abyss of no-posts) Keith Leckie’s intoxicating Coppermine - a book which, despite my mum’s recommendation, I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy, but holy man is it ever good. So good! Like stop reading this blog and get to your local library good. It’s set in 1913 and details the murder investigation of two french missionaries in the Arctic by Corporal Creek of the Northwest Mounted Police. It’s impossible to put down...more
This book was based on a true story.
A NWMP officer is sent to the mouth of the Coppermine River to find 2 Catholic priests who have not been heard from in quite some time. As it turns out, they were murdered by 2 Inuit. So he brings them back to Edmonton for trial.
This all takes place in 1913 and the trip there and back spans well over a year.
The author has taken liberties and incorporated a good story with several twists and turns.
I found it difficult to put down once I was on the journey.
Afte...more
A NWMP officer is sent to the mouth of the Coppermine River to find 2 Catholic priests who have not been heard from in quite some time. As it turns out, they were murdered by 2 Inuit. So he brings them back to Edmonton for trial.
This all takes place in 1913 and the trip there and back spans well over a year.
The author has taken liberties and incorporated a good story with several twists and turns.
I found it difficult to put down once I was on the journey.
Afte...more
Coppermine is historical fiction or creative non-fiction, based on a real court case in 1917 of two Inuit shaman for the murder of two Roman Catholic priests at Bloody Falls in the Coppermine R. in 1913. You can read the original story by searching Uloqsaq in Wikipedia.
Keith Leckie is a CBC screenwriter whose cinematic eye is part of his story-telling talent. The main character, Jack Creed, is a North West Mounted Police officer just back from the trenches. After one foray into the Fort Norman t...more
Keith Leckie is a CBC screenwriter whose cinematic eye is part of his story-telling talent. The main character, Jack Creed, is a North West Mounted Police officer just back from the trenches. After one foray into the Fort Norman t...more
I purchased this book on the recommendation of my daughter's significant other. It is not a book I would likely pick out on my own. But, Mr. SO seems to me to be a pretty good judge of books (recommended Joe Fiorito's The Song Beneath the Ice and gave to me for Christmas William Gibson's Pattern Recognition), so I was looking forward to reading it. I was a little bit daunted by the number of pages - more than 400. I think I just might be one of those 300-page limit kind of readers. But the pages...more
Keith Leckie's Coppermine is based on historical records of the murder of two Catholic Priests who were killed while trying to convert the Coppermine Inuit of the far north in the early 1900s and the subsequent capture and trial of the two Inuit involved.
The tale makes for a good travel adventure as war vet and North West Mounted Police office Jack Creed takes on the task of investigating the priest's deaths and bringing the Inuit to justice.
Leckie's writing is solid and manages to transport the...more
The tale makes for a good travel adventure as war vet and North West Mounted Police office Jack Creed takes on the task of investigating the priest's deaths and bringing the Inuit to justice.
Leckie's writing is solid and manages to transport the...more
Fascinating account of first trial for murder in Edmonton of two copper Inuit in 1917.
the details of life on the trail from the acetic ocean down to Edmonton. Are worth the read on their own. the author has accurately reported the circumstance of he events but has dramatized them by creating some of the characters. Godd read. recccomend it in particular for those interested in the cultural difference in world view between Inuit people's and British law.
the details of life on the trail from the acetic ocean down to Edmonton. Are worth the read on their own. the author has accurately reported the circumstance of he events but has dramatized them by creating some of the characters. Godd read. recccomend it in particular for those interested in the cultural difference in world view between Inuit people's and British law.
Wonderful historical fiction that sheds a light on a largely unknown chapter of Canadian history. Beautifully written with fully developed characters and a truly passionate love story as well. Highly recommend it.
It is the story of the trial of two Eskimos who are charged with murdering two catholic priests in the Arctic in 1917 and the North West Mounted Policeman Jack Creed who undertakes the arduous journey to bring them to trial.
It is the story of the trial of two Eskimos who are charged with murdering two catholic priests in the Arctic in 1917 and the North West Mounted Policeman Jack Creed who undertakes the arduous journey to bring them to trial.
Enjoyed this book. Takes place in the early 1900's. Two Catholic priests are missing and a North WEst Mounted Policeman accepts the assignment to travel north toward the Artic Circle to find them. He takes a young Inuit with him who knows the dialect. They travel north and find the bodies of the priests, it is obvious they were murdered and the Mountie proceeds to find the culprits. He soon arrests two Inuit who confess to the murder. They begin their long journey south to Edmonton where the INu...more
Historical fiction of 2 Eskimo hunters tried in Edmonton in 1917 for the murder of 2 priests who had tried to establish a church in the Artic Coppermine region of Canada. Saw it in a book store in Whistler last summer...really enjoyed it!
Engaging book that moves along nicely. It is factually correct for the most part. There were a couple places that seemed not quite right for the setting. I wonder why they kept running into Crees north of the tree line?
This will be one of my all-time favourites. You can't beat a great story that is well written...and for me it is even better as it was based on a true story and takes place in the far north with the Eskimo culture interwoven into the adventure. I not only enjoyed the story, but learning about the Eskimo culture and its implications with our justice system.
I enjoyed this book. Some historical fiction. Loved the challenge of the 'white man' living in the harsh north in the late 1800's. Enjoyed the writing style. A great read until the end... a ridiculous and Hollywood type ending ruined what was otherwise a fabulous read.
Really appreciated the research that went into writing a somewhat historically accurate accounting of the story. While the romance was a little sappy, it worked for me.
Set between the Arctic and Edmonton during the First World War. Great story with good pace, lots of action, interesting information about life for the Eskimo.
A well told and largely true story. I have stayed and fished in the Coppermine River and found this book fascinating and while I finished the reading some weeks ago, the fact that the Mounties travelled from Edmonton to the Copper back largely by canoe, on foot and later using the help of the Inuit prisoners is still amazing to me. The writer's ability to share some insight into the inuit thinking and understanding of the land, weather and relationship to the animals they hunt has given me a ne...more
Historical fiction in the way, way north. Slow start. But now can't get the characters out of my mind. Wish bit didn't end.
Very interesting book based on a true incident set in Canada's Far North. Everyone I know who's read it has liked it. The descriptions of the people and places really draw you in and you want to find out more. It could have used some editing (it's a bit longer than it needs to be, I think), but well worth the read.
Really liked this book, good plot twist. Could have done without the neat Hollywood wrap up of the story though.
This is a true story that takes place in the Northern part of Canada. Very good read.
Interesting and well written. Found the ending not quite believable.
Feb 02, 2012
Kathryn
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
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This book had me from the prologue.
This book promised, and fulfilled that promise, to look at the interaction of Eskimos and the RNWMP, and the concept of justice. It came through in spades. The research is deep, the story fits well within the context and the imagined content matches the facts. The story slows a little in the middle, both factually and story-wise, but picks back up for a great finish.
Best book I've read in a really long time <3
excellent story
A very original, well-written tale of life (and especially Inuit life) in Canada's north early in the last century. The only part of the narrative that caused me concern was one of the courtroom scenes, but that is just me being picky.
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