The Innocent Traveller

by Ethel Wilson, P.K. Page (Afterword)

Precocious in childhood, irrepressible in old age, Miss Topaz Edgeworth’s singular accomplishment is to live out an entire century in unflagging – and mostly oblivious – optimism. At once outmoded and unconventional, tyrannical and benign, Topaz leads a largely unexamined life. But the magical quality of her consciousness, revealed through stunning narrative technique, makes her into one of the most delightful characters in Canadian literature. Published in 1949, The Innocent Traveller is Ethel Wilson’s most original literary achievement.

Genres: Fiction, Canada, Historical Fiction, Canadian Literature, Historical, Family, British Literature

245 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1949

About the author

Ethel Davis Wilson was a Canadian writer of short stories and novels.

Born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, she moved to England in 1890 following the death of her mother. In 1898, after the death of her father, she was taken to live with her maternal grandmother in Vancouver, British Columbia. She received her teacher's certificate in 1907, and for thirteen years taught in Vancouver elementary schools.

In 1921 she married Wallace Wilson, President of the Canadian Medical Association and professor of medical ethics at the University of British Columbia.

Wilson is well known as one of the first Canadian writers to truly capture the beauty of British Colombia. She wrote often of places in BC that were important to her and was able to detail the ruggedness and magic of the landscape.

The Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize, British Columbia's top fiction award, was created in 1985, commemorating Wilson's achievements.

Reviews

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I didn't like this one as much as I did Swamp Angel, I did like this.

The novel is based on Wilson's family (she eventually appears as Rose), but it very much a novel as well (Rose gets married much earlier than Wilson did, for example) and centres on the life of her Aunt Topaz, which is what she is called in fiction, who lived to be nearly 100. She was quite a character, and I have to agree with the book blurb that she is "one of the most delightful characters in Canadian literature. Thus the title of the book. Topaz lives in England for over 50 years, but then moves with her widowed older sister to Vancouver where she lives for a number of decades.

There are a number of things a reader will notice, not just about Topaz, but about her family, societal expectations, changes that arose over a century, etc.

[Orla Hegarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is only my second foray into Ms. Wilson's small library of early Canadiana literary publications. She is a magnificent writer and her wit shines strongly in this collection of stories based on her own family. The dialogue is a bit stilted with loads of inner thoughts given by the multitude of characters but in the Victorian age there was a tendency to only give voice to proper things.

Also, her descriptions of nature and the world around her are exemplary. I especially enjoyed her description of the Northern Lights which was a portent to their arrival in Canada.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an absolute delight!!! The character of Topaz was so memorable and charming, and even though she rejoiced in the simplicity of life, a treasure trove of deep and hidden truths was revealed throughout the novel!

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first third of the book I really loved. The remaining chapters, Topaz and family in Canada, were ok with a few exceptions where they were good again. This book was a series of stories rather than a novel and it showed after the first third. Still worth reading for the funny and interesting first part of Topaz and her growing up years in England.

[Joan Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.Will reread!

[Barry Schachter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of a life. The last 20 pages are spectacular, poetic writing.

[Raili · Rating 4 out of 5]

1949: There are many reasons I loved this book. It's full of family history, social history and Vancouver history. Being somewhat auto-biographical, it's Ethel Wilson's charming and touching homage to her family. The fact that she worked on it for so many years while anxiously, tentatively pursuing publication is inspiring; it's a lesson in perseverance and courage. This book is written with such obvious love for family, for Vancouver, for Canada and for the natural world in general. Perhaps my favourite section is in the chapter called "The Journey" where the ladies are travelling by train across the vastness of Canada, seeing it for the first time as they make their way to a new life in Vancouver. It's "Fly Over Canada"...old school.

[Mrsgaskell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up serendipitously from the library discard table. I hadn’t heard of the author or title but it’s part of the New Canadian Library and the blurb on the back made it sound interesting. After reading it, I’m particularly delighted with this find. It’s the engaging and charming, partly biographical, account of the irrepressible and talkative Topaz Edgeworth’s life beginning in Victorian England spanning almost 100 years and across the sea to Vancouver. I don’t know why this witty and gently humorous little gem isn’t better known.

[Ibis3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit like W.O. Mitchell decided to try his hand at Cranford (or vice versa perhaps). A pleasant journey from Victorian Staffordshire to Georgian Vancouver with the loquacious and unconventional Topaz Edgeworth (based on the author's own Great-Aunt)as a guide.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel had some good things going for it. Wilson is insightful and compassionate about her characters, and she has an ear for funny dialog. I was less compassionate towards the narrator, and that's maybe why the novel got to be a bit of chore by the end.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There isn't a "plot" to pull you through the book, but I picked it up whenever I needed some good chuckles. I kept wanting to read passages out loud to whoever would listen. It reminded me of Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell -- very witty and funny.