My rating:
add to my books
Loading...
Village of the Small Houses: A Memoir of Sorts
by
Ian Ferguson
Ian Ferguson won the 2004 Leacock Medal for Humor for this outrageously funny book about growing up destitute in the far north. Beginning with the dramatic events surrounding his birth, the richly recalled events of Ferguson's life and a vivid cast of loveable misfits make for a taut and appealingly idiosyncratic tale. In 1959, just one step ahead of the law, Hank Ferguson...more
Paperback, 192 pages
Published
August 25th 2004
by Douglas & McIntyre
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
67)
This memoir is like Glass Castle except it's from a male perspective, the parents are not quite as whacked, the dad leaves sooner, it takes place in Northern Alberta (primarily), many of the characters are Native, it has more humour in it, and it ends when the narrator is in high school. If Glass Castle was too heavy for you, try this one. I think I'm partial to Village of the Small Houses because it's more enjoyable reading -- lighter, funnier, shorter. And maybe it's because I'm Canadian, b...more
I read this when it first came out b/c my parents had bought it... they had lived/worked in Ft. Vermilion for a few years fresh out of University (moved there right after Ferguson moved away). I enjoyed it as a good story at that time.
I re-read it a couple years ago while I myself was living up north, and loved it. A lot of the issues/events that Ferguson writes about are still issues today. I suppose having an "insider's view" gave me a better understanding or appreciatio...more
I re-read it a couple years ago while I myself was living up north, and loved it. A lot of the issues/events that Ferguson writes about are still issues today. I suppose having an "insider's view" gave me a better understanding or appreciatio...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
view 2 comments
The story has been written by a man who lived in a small town in northern Alberta, Fort Vermillion during the 1950's. His father was employed as a teacher with the Native population a position he held until it was discovered that he did not actually have a teaching degree. His humorous perspective adds to the enjoyment of the book.
I enjoyed some parts, hated others. I loved some characters, hated others. I liked Ian for some parts, hated him for others. I have a sort of love/hate feeling about this memoir. The plot started well, but started falling short near the end. I was quite disappointed in the ending. However, this was one of the few books I had to read for school that I fully and completely finished.
Read this because my mother-in-law's family was from the same area.
Loved this book so much I bought copies for friends.
not bad for a book that was assigned during the winter break ...
Even if I hadn't been to Fort Vermillion I would have still enjoyed this book. I love small-town memoirs and appreciate the glimpses into the local psyche they offer. I greatly look forward to my next trip to Fort Vermillion.
The end of the book left me with a haunting question on my own character: What would I have done?
The end of the book left me with a haunting question on my own character: What would I have done?
Sandra Garland
added it
Eleanor
added it
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
