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Arthur Beauchamp #5
I'll See You in My Dreams: An Arthur Beauchamp Novel
A compelling story that spirals back to Vancouver in the early 60s, when conservative young Arthur encounters not only the beginnings of alternative culture (coffee houses, a scratchy-voiced young busker named Dylan) but the deep and fiercely intelligent rage of a young First Nations man named Gabriel Swift, who will haunt Arthur's life. Finally, Arthur might be able to face the truth of this long-past case, and right an old wrong.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
10 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
William Deverell
62 books68 followersWilliam Deverell was born in 1937 in Regina, Saskatchewan. He put himself through law school by working as a journalist for the Canadian Press, Vancouver Sun, and Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Deverell served as counsel for over a thousand criminal cases and is a founding director and former president of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association. He created the television series, Street Legal, and has written screenplays and radio plays. Deverell lives on Pender Island, British Columbia.
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
* 1998 – Trial of Passion – Winner
* 2006 – April Fool – Winner
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
* 1998 – Trial of Passion – Winner
* 2006 – April Fool – Winner
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 11, 2017
Taking the reader on a heart-wrenching journey, William Deverell presents his fifth novel in the Arthur Beauchamp series and shows his literary brilliance throughout. With the recent release of Beauchamp’s biography, A Thirst for Justice, much has been made of the eminent lawyer’s first murder case in 1962. This becomes the premise for the story, as the reader is pulled back almost five decades to a point when Arthur Beauchamp was still extremely wet behind the ears. Handed the defence of Gabriel Swift, who was accused of murdering Professor Dermot Mulligan, Beauchamp is forced to swallow his pride and gut feelings. It appears that Prof. Mulligan was not only an acquaintance of Beauchamp’s, but his thesis advisor before the law became a more alluring mistress. Swift denies having anything to do with Mulligan’s murder, though does admit that he was employed to tend to the yard and did see him on the day of the alleged crime. With no body having ever turned up, Swift (and Beauchamp) cannot see how this sham of a charge can stick, even with a jailhouse snitch swearing he heard an out-and-out admission one night. An outspoken man with strong ties to his Native roots, Swift turns his attention to shining the spotlight on the disparity that has befallen his people at the time when the law and authorities would not only ignore their pleas, but intentionally twist the facts to convict and incarcerate Native Canadians. Working with what he has, a large pile of circumstantial evidence, Beauchamp tries to navigate his way through preparing for trial and the actual legal presentation of facts, only to hit the same wall. Pitted against a legal legend, Beauchamp cannot even use the confidence his second chair exudes to remain firmly committed to seeing the trial through and seeks to convince his client to take a plea, rather than face capital murder charges and hang for his alleged crime. Through a series of influential conversations with others, Swift takes the plea, but refuses to speak to the details of the crime, still holding firm that he is innocent. It is actually the release of the biography in 2011 by Wentworth Chance (series readers will remember him from an earlier novel) that lit a fire under Beauchamp to re-examine the evidence and to probe deeper into the crime, examining the life of Mulligan all the closer. With his wife busy in Ottawa and his friends on Garibaldi Island engrossed in some of these early stories about their favoured son, Beauchamp puts all his efforts into overturning the guilty verdict through the Court of Appeal. However, with so much time having passed and Swift in hiding in South America after an escape, is there any point? Deverell stuns the reader with raw truths and suppositions from the early 60s while portraying Beauchamp as a younger and more scandalous version of the man who has spoken frankly about his legal past. Not to be missed by series fans or anyone with a passion for Canadian political or legal history.
By now, the series reader has a firm understanding of Arthur Beauchamp and all he has done in his career, or so we are led to believe. Deverell’s thorough narratives in the past novels have brought out many of the praiseworthy and horrid pieces of his protagonist, but nothing will prepare the reader for what is inside the covers of this book. Beauchamp is young and naive throughout the novel’s flashback scenes, knowing little about murder, defending an outspoken client, or the struggles of Natives at a time when racism was rampant and accepted in this peaceful country. However, pairing that with his oft-hinted at obsession with drink and the reader can see the early foundations of a long career mired in booze to act as a crutch for a hard day’s work. By also pulling on a minor storyline about his parents, Beauchamp is forced to drag himself from under their smothering and critical ways, only to invent himself at a time when he is still highly impressionable. Deverell also layers much in this story, from the biography, two time periods, contentious murder trial, and in-depth discussion of Native residential schools, it is no wonder that the reader must pace themselves through this literary journey. I will not delve into these areas, for it is the reader’s chance to experience it for themselves and pass their own verdict on how things happened during those times mentioned throughout the novel. I cannot, however, stand here and not comment on how seamlessly the entire delivery ended up being, mixing excerpts from Chance’s own biographical piece with a narrative of the actual events leading up to the trial and then the ‘current day’ happenings as Beauchamp seeks to fix his most serious (known) legal gaffe. Brilliantly portrayed and sure to bring about much discussion amongst those who take the time to read this book. I can only hope that others enjoy this novel as much as I did.
Kudos, Mr. Deverell, for not shying away from the deep and dark areas of the legal and political past for which Canada cannot hide their blemishes. You have captivated me with all your work and this might just be the best one yet.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
By now, the series reader has a firm understanding of Arthur Beauchamp and all he has done in his career, or so we are led to believe. Deverell’s thorough narratives in the past novels have brought out many of the praiseworthy and horrid pieces of his protagonist, but nothing will prepare the reader for what is inside the covers of this book. Beauchamp is young and naive throughout the novel’s flashback scenes, knowing little about murder, defending an outspoken client, or the struggles of Natives at a time when racism was rampant and accepted in this peaceful country. However, pairing that with his oft-hinted at obsession with drink and the reader can see the early foundations of a long career mired in booze to act as a crutch for a hard day’s work. By also pulling on a minor storyline about his parents, Beauchamp is forced to drag himself from under their smothering and critical ways, only to invent himself at a time when he is still highly impressionable. Deverell also layers much in this story, from the biography, two time periods, contentious murder trial, and in-depth discussion of Native residential schools, it is no wonder that the reader must pace themselves through this literary journey. I will not delve into these areas, for it is the reader’s chance to experience it for themselves and pass their own verdict on how things happened during those times mentioned throughout the novel. I cannot, however, stand here and not comment on how seamlessly the entire delivery ended up being, mixing excerpts from Chance’s own biographical piece with a narrative of the actual events leading up to the trial and then the ‘current day’ happenings as Beauchamp seeks to fix his most serious (known) legal gaffe. Brilliantly portrayed and sure to bring about much discussion amongst those who take the time to read this book. I can only hope that others enjoy this novel as much as I did.
Kudos, Mr. Deverell, for not shying away from the deep and dark areas of the legal and political past for which Canada cannot hide their blemishes. You have captivated me with all your work and this might just be the best one yet.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
December 1, 2014
This is based on the audio version of I'll see you in my dreams.
I’ll see you in my dreams, by William Deverell and read by Steve Scherf was probably my best experience with one of Deverell’s books, and I’ve quite enjoyed the others I’ve listened to.
The book, the fifth on the series featuring Arthur Beauchamp, QC, is a reflection back on Beauchamp’s first case defending a capital charge. Beauchamp is, by this point, in the twilight of his career when a writer publishes his biography, causing him to reflect back on the case, and how his inexperience led to decisions that he has regretted since. Beauchamp believed that his client, Gabriel Swift, was innocent, and that the police had stacked the evidence against him. The story flips between present day and the early part of Beauchamp’s career. There aren’t a lot of surprises in the story line, but it is a hugely enjoyable story to listen to, particularly when well read. As usual, Deverell touches on a number of social issues, including aboriginal rights, women’s rights and the legal system in general. With a good part of the story set in the early 1960’s, it provides a good reference on how far we’ve come, while recognizing that we still have a way to go. The continued references to the musicians of the early ‘60s was pretty interesting/humorous as well.
Complimenting a great story was an excellent reading by Steve Scherf. As usual, this man of a thousand voices made a character-rich book very easy to follow, and very enjoyable to listen to. He brings the characters to life, and has captured the “voice” of the early 1960’s when the bulk of the story takes place.
Great book, great narration. What’s not to like?
I’ll see you in my dreams, by William Deverell and read by Steve Scherf was probably my best experience with one of Deverell’s books, and I’ve quite enjoyed the others I’ve listened to.
The book, the fifth on the series featuring Arthur Beauchamp, QC, is a reflection back on Beauchamp’s first case defending a capital charge. Beauchamp is, by this point, in the twilight of his career when a writer publishes his biography, causing him to reflect back on the case, and how his inexperience led to decisions that he has regretted since. Beauchamp believed that his client, Gabriel Swift, was innocent, and that the police had stacked the evidence against him. The story flips between present day and the early part of Beauchamp’s career. There aren’t a lot of surprises in the story line, but it is a hugely enjoyable story to listen to, particularly when well read. As usual, Deverell touches on a number of social issues, including aboriginal rights, women’s rights and the legal system in general. With a good part of the story set in the early 1960’s, it provides a good reference on how far we’ve come, while recognizing that we still have a way to go. The continued references to the musicians of the early ‘60s was pretty interesting/humorous as well.
Complimenting a great story was an excellent reading by Steve Scherf. As usual, this man of a thousand voices made a character-rich book very easy to follow, and very enjoyable to listen to. He brings the characters to life, and has captured the “voice” of the early 1960’s when the bulk of the story takes place.
Great book, great narration. What’s not to like?
December 18, 2014
Before you open this book, get comfortable.
Go into the den, stoke the fire and enjoy some Sunday morning opera.
I'll See You in My Dreams is like a comfortable cardigan: it envelops you in a truly classic style making you want to read on and on.
In this day of instant gratification, everyone seems to want quick, action-packed plots.
Not so here. William Deverell takes you on a journey that, on one hand, touches so many bases but, on the other hand lets you truly feel the settings and the characters. I had a true sense of travelling British Columbia as the story evolves.
What keeps the reader interested is the evolution of the Characters: we sense major life problems ahead for Arthur Beauchamp (Beecham!)... and yet, the author does not throw it in your face.
You explore a man's life, his failings and his successes through the window of a case the implications of which span decades.
That being said, we are brought to places that we may not know anything about: the world of First Nations, Human Rights abuses and Residential Schools.
The book is also complex: it travels back and forth between the near present and the events that unfolded. As readers, we are challenged. We must figure things out by inference and, in my opinion, this is what makes the story so readable.
The dénouement is wonderfully crafted but it is the journey that holds the readers' attention.
William Deverell has written a book that I would recommend to anyone.
Go into the den, stoke the fire and enjoy some Sunday morning opera.
I'll See You in My Dreams is like a comfortable cardigan: it envelops you in a truly classic style making you want to read on and on.
In this day of instant gratification, everyone seems to want quick, action-packed plots.
Not so here. William Deverell takes you on a journey that, on one hand, touches so many bases but, on the other hand lets you truly feel the settings and the characters. I had a true sense of travelling British Columbia as the story evolves.
What keeps the reader interested is the evolution of the Characters: we sense major life problems ahead for Arthur Beauchamp (Beecham!)... and yet, the author does not throw it in your face.
You explore a man's life, his failings and his successes through the window of a case the implications of which span decades.
That being said, we are brought to places that we may not know anything about: the world of First Nations, Human Rights abuses and Residential Schools.
The book is also complex: it travels back and forth between the near present and the events that unfolded. As readers, we are challenged. We must figure things out by inference and, in my opinion, this is what makes the story so readable.
The dénouement is wonderfully crafted but it is the journey that holds the readers' attention.
William Deverell has written a book that I would recommend to anyone.
November 23, 2012
Every new Arthur Beauchamp mystery seems even funnier than the last, which is saying something. The self-deprecating humour, legal puzzles, human conundrums, urban and rural settings and the characters created by William Deverell never fail to satisfy. This book, in particular, deals with some very dark Canadian history and corrupt characters, circa 1962, mostly.
The structure of the book, intersperses a "biography" of the gangly, Roman-nosed lawyer from the beginning of his career, referencing other books in the series (very clever) and then unspools a plot which moves between the 60's and present day. Deverell is a terrific writer who happens to specialize in erudite, witty, page-flapping mysteries with a social conscience. It takes a pro to make those diverse elements sing in a pitch-perfect way and that's why his fans are legion.
The tidbits offered up to depict Vancouver of the early 60's era are another delight to encounter: the Cecil Hotel, the poet Newlove (John, like the fictional Beauchamp, a brilliant, tormented fellow fond of libations), the tasty and affordable Green and Orange Door restaurants,the Marco Polo, Isy's, the old West End and the view while walking over the Burrard Street Bridge. Likewise, the depiction of rural"Garibaldi Island" and its denizens, classic Gulf Island caricatures, lovingly created, down to the perennially late ferry boat, the transsexual Queen of Prince George, never fails to elicit guffaws. Warn your bedmate if you read at night. It's either a benign West Coast quake or a new Arthur Beauchamp novel underway.
December 27, 2021
This book was the January selection by a member of my book club. I had not previously read anything by Deverell and so was also unfamiliar with Arthur Beauchamp. I had a really hard time getting into this book and found the characters uninteresting.
I did enjoy Vancouver being the locale with many familiar places mentioned in the book. I also was glad to see that Deverell gave homage to the plight of First Nations peoples and the horror of the residential schools.
The ending of the book was a surprise. Mostly this was because a whole slew of new characters were introduced in the last section in order to wrap up the tale. I felt that the author sort of dropped the reader off a cliff.
I did enjoy Vancouver being the locale with many familiar places mentioned in the book. I also was glad to see that Deverell gave homage to the plight of First Nations peoples and the horror of the residential schools.
The ending of the book was a surprise. Mostly this was because a whole slew of new characters were introduced in the last section in order to wrap up the tale. I felt that the author sort of dropped the reader off a cliff.
March 14, 2018
Very confusing and a tough one to get through.
May 9, 2020
I thought my life was messed up, but there's worse situations than I am in.
March 17, 2025
Not my favorite... guessed a bit but not all.
August 9, 2024
A strong 4 Stars, entertaining, humour and good characters.
November 2, 2011
A new chapter in the Arthur Beauchamp story.
We were getting a bit bummed out by the end of Part Two, and wondered, if the book was going to continue spiraling into darkness and despair, we shouldn't cut our losses and move on to a new book. I flipped ahead and sampled a few bits here and there and was able to recommend to Maggee that we soldier on. We're glad we did.
The book used an interesting structural device. In earlier books Beauchamp has been shadowed by Wentworth Chance, a writer working on a biography of the famour Vancouver lawyer. Chance's book, A THIRST FOR JUSTICE, has just been published and in I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS we see parts of the Chance book interspersed with the story told from Beauchamp's point of view. The main part of the story deals with Beauchamp's first murder trial in 1962 in which he is called upon to defend Gabriel Swift, a Native man from the Squamish Band accused of murdering Dermott Mulligan (who just happens to have been one of Beauchamp's professors and mentors at UBC).
I minor grumble that I've had with Deverell throughout the series is his penchant for choosing goofy character names: Dermott, Ophelia, Roscoe, Gomer, Wentworth, Honk, Jethro, Cyrus. Just had to get that off my chest.
We were getting a bit bummed out by the end of Part Two, and wondered, if the book was going to continue spiraling into darkness and despair, we shouldn't cut our losses and move on to a new book. I flipped ahead and sampled a few bits here and there and was able to recommend to Maggee that we soldier on. We're glad we did.
The book used an interesting structural device. In earlier books Beauchamp has been shadowed by Wentworth Chance, a writer working on a biography of the famour Vancouver lawyer. Chance's book, A THIRST FOR JUSTICE, has just been published and in I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS we see parts of the Chance book interspersed with the story told from Beauchamp's point of view. The main part of the story deals with Beauchamp's first murder trial in 1962 in which he is called upon to defend Gabriel Swift, a Native man from the Squamish Band accused of murdering Dermott Mulligan (who just happens to have been one of Beauchamp's professors and mentors at UBC).
I minor grumble that I've had with Deverell throughout the series is his penchant for choosing goofy character names: Dermott, Ophelia, Roscoe, Gomer, Wentworth, Honk, Jethro, Cyrus. Just had to get that off my chest.
August 20, 2014
In Bill Deverell's latest in the Arthur Beauchamp series, we find the curmudgeonly retired lawyer forced to review his life with the publication of his biography. Not surprisingly, he disagrees with the accounts as told by former friends and adversaries including the recollection of an early murder trial that he lost. The trial and crime was set in 60s Vancouver and Squamish. Deverell does a great job of evoking those pre-gentrification days. The case, involving an outspoken Aboriginal charged with the murder of his friend—and Arthur's former classics professor—appears to be a slam dunk and the defendant knows it. A body is never found. The victim was facing a writing crisis, possibly because of previous time spent teaching at a residential school. Was it a suicide? Against his better judgement, Arthur is determined to find out. Unlike the other Beauchamp books, Dreams doesn't spend much time on Aurthur's beloved and quirky Garibaldi Island and his Green Party MP wife Margaret is mostly a no-show. But Deverell's characters crackle when facing each other in a court room as Beauchamp tries to redeem himself for playing it safe as a young lawyer when his client could face the death penalty.
December 1, 2014
This audiobook is narrated by Steve Scherf. He does a good job. This book is slow and has no real tension. Scherf can do little more than read this book. I didn't care about any of the characters, I didn't care about the Canadian legal system. The story about a young lawyers lifetime of guilt over pleading a not guilty native Indian guilty for murder has no emotion.
My research into this author shows this to be the 5th of 6 books in the Authur Beauchamp series. I reviewed a book Mecca also written by this Canadian Author. I had some of the same complaints about that book but it was far better than this book.
I may be kinder if I had known the characters but I am not sure it would help. It took me a long time to listen to this very long audiobook. The only incentive I had to finish the book is the fact that I received this from a publisher who asked for my honest review. I would like give the narrator Steve Scherf another chance with better material.
This book was received for an honest review.
My research into this author shows this to be the 5th of 6 books in the Authur Beauchamp series. I reviewed a book Mecca also written by this Canadian Author. I had some of the same complaints about that book but it was far better than this book.
I may be kinder if I had known the characters but I am not sure it would help. It took me a long time to listen to this very long audiobook. The only incentive I had to finish the book is the fact that I received this from a publisher who asked for my honest review. I would like give the narrator Steve Scherf another chance with better material.
This book was received for an honest review.
February 16, 2012
As author W. Chance pens the memoirs of Canada’s famous defense attorney, Arthur Beauchamps, an intriguing case from five decades ago takes center stage. Young Beauchamps was about to abandon his legal career for academia when he is presented with an intriguing case – defend the young aboriginal, Gabriel Swift, who is accused of killing Beauchamp’s former professor, Dermot Mulligan.
Faced with the dilemma of defending Swift for killing someone he admired greatly, Beauchamps nonetheless take the case. If he loses, Swift could be hanged. Prejudice, emotion, and alcohol all played a part during the trial and the life of Beauchamps, who is still haunted by the case that paved the way for his legal heroics so long ago.
The characters are strong, and the realities and hardships they face real, in this retrospective of Beauchamp’s life. Can the past mistakes be atoned in 2011? Did Professor Mulligan commit suicide back in 1962? The ending will shock you.
Faced with the dilemma of defending Swift for killing someone he admired greatly, Beauchamps nonetheless take the case. If he loses, Swift could be hanged. Prejudice, emotion, and alcohol all played a part during the trial and the life of Beauchamps, who is still haunted by the case that paved the way for his legal heroics so long ago.
The characters are strong, and the realities and hardships they face real, in this retrospective of Beauchamp’s life. Can the past mistakes be atoned in 2011? Did Professor Mulligan commit suicide back in 1962? The ending will shock you.
September 6, 2016
This is one novel that I wish I could give a range of ratings to as I really enjoyed Beauchamp and was quite taken by the plot. I certainly didn't figure out the ending! That said, I have to give this one star because I was so enormously disappointed with the unbelievable solution to the mystery that I wanted to scream! Great characters, great plot and subplots, horrid ending. Sorry, Deverell, you don't get a second chance!
October 31, 2011
First time reading a novel by this author. It was a very good plot that had me turning the pages to the end. I will have to read previous novels with the Arthur Beauchamp character. It just seemed that you have come across this type of person in your life. Well written with just enough intrigue to keep you guessing to the end with a great finish.
December 5, 2011
I love William Deverell so it hurts me to say that this book did not engage me. I forced myself to finish it. Maybe it was just too much detail, I don't know, maybe beating a drum too long and too loud. I was very pleased to be done with it. Overall, Deverell has seldom disappointed. And, in it's defense, I loved the end.
December 19, 2011
A very frustrating book! Not believable at all. I kept reading hoping Deverell would redeem himself. Allow me to spoil the ending for you! The character who was murdered turns out not even to be dead! The person accused of his murder, Gabriel Swift, deserved the death sentence for being such a monumental bore!
January 20, 2015
Loved it! The self-deprecating at times self-flagellating protagonist is ultimately very likeable. The plot appealed to me on many levels, I'm Canadian, a Law Clerk, work with the First Nations division of Health Canada and have Mik'maq on "the other side of the blanket". The bits of legal procedure were informative and integral to the story and the end was a good twist.
January 12, 2012
This is the best Arthur Beauchamp book in the series, in my opinion, and it says a great deal about our disgraceful treatment of native peoples both in the courts and in our society. A great read, with lots of laugh-out-loud moments too.
January 19, 2012
This is William Deverell in top form. The humour and BC setting are a treat. WD creates such great characters – flaws and fetishes, mistakes and motives – and wraps them in controversy and current Canadian issues. And a twist at the end to make you rethink the whole story.Yum-yum.
August 1, 2022
If you are reading the Arthur Beauchamp series, I would start with this one. It gives the back story to Arthur and introduces the cast of characters from his home town that you will read about in each of the books. He’s a flawed character, and reading this book first will help you understand him.
March 23, 2012
Sorry, 20-something Arthur Beech'm is far too much like 20-something me to be anything I want to read.
March 2, 2012
A good read, Arthur Beauchamp is an interesting personality, since this is a mystery I hate to give anything about the story line away, in order for you to enjoy it yourself.
June 4, 2012
This book is due at the library and I'm not that fond of it, so I'm quitting.
September 16, 2012
Excellent story! I haven't read his books before. It makes me want to go back and read the first four.
September 8, 2013
I enjoyed this book. Especially like his inclusion of "First Nations" history within a good storyline.
April 26, 2014
Like the references to local places and authors insights to our Gulf Islands.
August 15, 2015
Great balance of mystery and character foibles. Love this series.
October 22, 2016
I got really bored with the characters but I did ski to the end about halfway thru so I could find out what happened
March 30, 2017
Did not see thank coming, great book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews