A mystery and a love story spanning five decades, The Colony of Unrequited Dreams is an epic portrait of passion and ambition, set against t...
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Apr 22, 2011
Badly Drawn Girl
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The history of Newfoundland is not a subject I would ever think I would enjoy learning about. This brilliantly written book manages to sum up the history of that island in a truly fascinating way. I never felt like this book was dragging, even though it is very large and stuffed to the brim with information, facts, and observations. By following the life of the future first premier of the country, Wayne Johnston reels his readers in. Joe Smallwood is like the little engine that could, h More...
Jan 07, 2011
Ann-Marie
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Seemed a bit derivative of Howard Norman (Sheilagh Fielding is a close sister to Margaret Handle in The Bird Artist, which was published a few years earlier). Although the writing is good—the author excels at description and character develpment—the story somehow doesn’t seem to justify the length (500-plus pages). That said, the interwoven pages from Fielding’s history of Newfoundland are an interesting device. Without them, there’d be less of a sense of place, which is essential for the story
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Mar 12, 2011
Lianne
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This novel is a work of arcane Canadiana brought to life. That said, it is involving, gripping, and reminiscent of the tone you might find in a Robertson Davies novel. For those of you who may have read and loved Annie Proulx's "The Shipping News" you might enjoy another portrayal of Newfoundland, with equally quirky and engaging characters. Joey Smallwood, who was the first premier of Newfoundland when it became the tenth province of Newfoundland is the hero, and Shelagh Fielding, a D
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Sep 06, 2010
Sarah
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This was the most fun I can ever remember having with Canadian history. I was fascinated by the characters' personal lives, and very interested in the development of Newfoundland as a country before it entered Confederation. I wish it could have been written from the point of view of Sheilagh Fielding, who I found much more interesting than Joey Smallwood. Smallwood's naked ambition was almost his only character trait. But I guess Johnston might not have been able to include as much detail in hi
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Aug 07, 2011
Gail
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The best work of historical fiction I have read in a long time. Based on history - that of Newfoundland's entry into Confederation and the architect of that event - Newfoundland's first premier, Joey Smallwood, this is still very much a work of fiction. I'm not sure how much of the Smallwood we read about is real, but he is certainly an engaging, complex and well developed character. His longtime friend/love/nemesis, Sheilagh Fielding is one of my favorite female characters of all time and I'
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Jun 19, 2008
C
rated it: 
I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I found it really long. I was sucked in from the beginning with Smallwood's hard luck story and burned through the first 300 or so pages, however once the book got into his mid-life I started to lose interest. I could understand why he wanted to do something great in life, but after his efforts to bring Newfoundland into confederacy with Canada are successful he really falls off as a likable character to me. He's consumed with accomplishing something
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Jul 27, 2011
Jason
rated it:
Engaging and elegantly written. If you are at all curious about the culture and ways of Newfoundland, this is a very entertaining way to get a feel for their culture and history. The characters are developed so thoroughly that by the end of the story I felt so attached to them, I felt sad to have to let them go. Also the vehicle of putting 1 or 2 pages of the "history" of Newfoundland in between each chapter was a really clever and enjoyable device.
Sep 15, 2009
From Book Lover's Calendar 8/1/07:
You've Never Read Wayne Johnston?
The Colony of Unrequited Dreams is a gorgeous, absorbing novel-and one that is not as well known as it should be. It's the story of Joe Smallwood, his lifelong unrequited love of his classmate Sheilagh, and his rise to power in brand-new Canadian province Newfoundland. "A brilliant and bravura literary performance," according to The New York Times.
You've Never Read Wayne Johnston?
The Colony of Unrequited Dreams is a gorgeous, absorbing novel-and one that is not as well known as it should be. It's the story of Joe Smallwood, his lifelong unrequited love of his classmate Sheilagh, and his rise to power in brand-new Canadian province Newfoundland. "A brilliant and bravura literary performance," according to The New York Times.
Dec 02, 2009
Mary
rated it:
This story of the history of Newfoundland...a political, historical view through the life of the first premier of Newfoundland, from his early life, through perils of living in Newfoundland and New York in dire poverty, but with a satirical flair. Also alongside is a short, very funny history of the country by the protagonist's love interest, a very compelling character. I think I learned a lot about Newfoundland.
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May 17, 2009
Shawn
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I loved Wayne Johnston's "The Navigator of New York", but when I read that this book was about Joey Smallwood the first Premier of Newfoundland, I thought I'd pass. Sounded very dry. Years have passed and he wrote a sequel, "The Custodian of Paradise". Curiousity made me read "The Colony of Unrequited Dreams". Glad I did. It was great, an enjoyable read. It is written in the voice of Joey Smallwood himself. It involves a childhood mystery, a hidden truth, misunderst
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Jan 18, 2011
Sue
rated it:
I didn't care too much for this book. So cynical, and hard to care about the main characters. The fact that the narrator is a real historical figure, and that he is portrayed rather negatively (selfish, bad husband and father, vain and self-serving), leaves me wondering if he was really that bad or if the author is painting this poor dead man in a worse light than is warranted.
Nov 23, 2011
Nancy
rated it:
The story of Joey Smallwood and how he brought Newfoundland into Confederation.
Just loved this book.
Loved the union work he did and his tenacity and passion for his beliefs.
Loved the character of Sheilagh Fielding as well - especially the times and places and contexts in which she would show up.
A wonderful Canadian read for sure.
Just loved this book.
Loved the union work he did and his tenacity and passion for his beliefs.
Loved the character of Sheilagh Fielding as well - especially the times and places and contexts in which she would show up.
A wonderful Canadian read for sure.
Nov 13, 2011
Rob & Liz
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Remarkable book. It intertwines the real Joey Smallwood with a fictional character Shelagh Fielding. They have known each other since school days and continue their relationship through his time as Premier of Newfoundland. This ook make you want to look more closely at Newfoundland's history.
Liz
Liz
Aug 04, 2011
ellen
rated it:
This book started a bit slowly for me, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Johnston cleverly intertwines historical documents and the history of Newfoundland with a compelling story centered on two very quirky characters. I found myself laughing out loud frequently and thoroughly enjoyed the read.
Nov 11, 2010
Linda
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I read this book out of curiosity, remembering that Joey Smallwood's wife, Clara, was a cousin of my grandmother. I found the book quite fascinating but left me unsure of how I feel about my association, however remote, with Newfoundland's first premier. In some ways, it felt like going home.
Nov 05, 2009
Jan
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A great story with a character who if it isn't Joey Smallwood, who brought Newfoundland into Canada and was the first Premier of the former, ought to be. It is a subersive way to learn some history and geography of this seldom heard from island while being caught up in a wonderfully spun yarn.
Nov 21, 2008
Stacie
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I got on this kick that I love reading world literature and learning about other cultures, but I know very little about our neighbors to the north. After doing a search at my local library for Canadian literature I stumbled upon this book, which received pretty decent reviews. What I found was an enthralling and incredible tale, and this soon became one of my favorites.
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Aug 02, 2011
Sharon
rated it:
A very cool portrait of Smallwood (I have no idea how accurate it is) -- and his great love/nemesis Fielding is wonderful. Lots of Wayne Johnston humour, but, I didn't love it as did lots of people I know. While you might love Newfoundland, who could love Joey Smallwood? Also, it's too long.
Jan 11, 2009
Sarah
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A beautifully written book drenched with the history of Newfoundland. Author uses an interesting structure, integrating excerpts from a history book, letters written by one of the characters but never sent and more traditional narrative chapters...
Jan 09, 2011
Sandy
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Read this one on the way home from Newfoundland. The story of Joey Smallwood a beloved political character in Nfld's history. Ably written with a great feeling for being there. Glad I read it. Gave me new insights into a place I'd only visited.
Nov 04, 2009
Gina
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10-04-2009; just started reading it today. Sounds like it will be very interesting, taking place in Newfoundland, Canada.
11-04-2009; Finished this book today. I liked it, but I agree it was long. We watched Smallwood grow from a young boy all the way into his 80s. That's a long lifetime. It was a sad story. All the regrets, and sadness that all the characters lived with all their lives. Really you hoped for a happy ending, but realized it wasn't coming. I did enjoy the descriptions More...
11-04-2009; Finished this book today. I liked it, but I agree it was long. We watched Smallwood grow from a young boy all the way into his 80s. That's a long lifetime. It was a sad story. All the regrets, and sadness that all the characters lived with all their lives. Really you hoped for a happy ending, but realized it wasn't coming. I did enjoy the descriptions More...
Dec 08, 2011
Ann
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I read this years ago & while it was tedious in parts, I remember really liking the story & learning so much history about Newfoundland. We had recently been there. I would recommend this book.
Jan 14, 2012
Andrew
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Absolutely one of the best books I've ever read. My only caution is to not attempt to read it in summer... the grey landscapes and tones just don't work. A poetic take on colonialism.
Jul 23, 2011
Robin
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I loved this book through about the first half. I loved learning about Newfoundland. I loved learning about Joe Smallwood. I loved Fielding and I loved her History of Newfoundland - clever, interesting and laugh-out-loud hilarious. The last half of the book bogged down (for me) with too much of the (boring and fictional) "Post" letter mystery and not enough of Smallwood and Newfoundland, who both came of age during that time. Had the second half kept up with the first, it might have
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Sep 29, 2009
Judy
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A fictionalized history of Newfoundland, written as an autobiography of Joe Smallwood, first premier after confederation with Canada. Brilliantly crafted and surprisingly entertaining.
Apr 03, 2009
Erin
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How often do you read a book about the history of Newfoundland? I read this book a long time ago, but elements of it stick with me, a sign that I must have gotten something out of it!
Jul 06, 2010
Linda
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This book was such a surprise to me! I really enjoyed it and learned a lot about a country I might not ever have read about otherwise. I'm so glad I didn't pass this book by.
Jan 17, 2009
Kris
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I read this travelling through Newfoundland, which made the book even more interesting. However, I'm not so sure about fictionalizing Joey Smallwood's life like that.
Mar 10, 2011
RUSA
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This was one of the 2000 RUSA Notable Books winners. For the complete list, go to http://ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/award...
Mar 26, 2010
I'm sure I read this, although I can't remember when or much of what it was about. Mustn't have had a real impact on me! Perhaps I should re-read it. . .
