The Upending of Wendall Forbes

by David Giuliano

Wendall and Ruby Forbes are confronting the vagaries of aging – sleeplessness, loneliness, memory loss, and the fear Ruby is showing signs of dementia.

A blizzard hits their small town of Twenty-Six Mile House and a remarkable, perhaps unbelievable, band of strangers — : an Indigenous Colombian refugee, his environmental academic wife, an environmental academic, and their child; a young man on an accidental journey quest; a teenage activist and her ten-year-old gay half-brother; and a sleep consultant in from Indianapolis —– all take refuge in the Forbeses’ home.

In this heartwarming, funny, wise, and hopeful story, the companionship of strangers, a foul-mouthed raven, and a lynx, restore Wendall and Ruby’s hope for the future.

Genres: Canada, Contemporary

290 pages, Paperback

Published September 19, 2025

Reviews

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendall and Ruby are in their late 70s or early 80s. They’ve been married for well over 50 years, and have two grown children—their son, his wife, and two little girls have just moved to Tokyo; their daughter and her partner are currently in Peru. It’s just a few days before Christmas when (arranged by their son) his old friend, Jake, arrives to set up an iPad so the parents can take video calls from the young family in Tokyo. Jake gives them a tutorial on how the phone works, but Ruby and Wendall don’t really understand so their son asks them to “just leave it on”; don’t touch it, just leave it on all the time, and plug it in when the battery icon says the power is low. That way, if they call from Tokyo, it’ll simply ring and everyone's face will appear on the screen! Worried about the possibility of missing their calls, Ruby has been carrying the thing around with her for two days.

Now, Wendall—a retired preacher—has written several books over the years. The small publishing house that's backed his books has recently hired a young publicist who is trying hard to drum up sales for Wendall's most recent book, "Okay, Boomer"). Well, the real hilarity begins when, unbeknownst to either of them, the phone that's never left Ruby's side has actually been livestreaming—yes, LIVE!—to a new social media site Wendall gave his publicist permission to set up and manage for him. I won’t go into detail about JUST WHAT was livestreamed, but let's just say that, despite their advancing age, this couple is still physically active in every way.😉

The story takes place in a small town on the north shore of Lake Superior they call Twenty-Six Mile House, though the author claims it’s a stand in for his hometown of Marathon, Ontario. Over the two days including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a variety of known and unknown visitors somehow make their way to the Forbes’ home where, thanks to the widespread power outage, they will huddle together for warmth and celebrate the holiday as a “found family”. As they gather around the fire, and preparing space for everyone to sleep, the “blizzard of the century” rages outside.

It’s an incredibly original and absolutely delightful story that’s both poignant and funny. And it boldly addresses some fairly heady issues, like racism, torture, loneliness, memory loss, and dementia. In the end, everyone’s life has been changed by this disparate, but very caring group of strangers that now feels like family. Before parting, all promise they'll get together again soon.

There’s so much more to this story but far too much for me to cover in this short review. I encourage you to consider reading The Upending of Wendall Forbes. I promise it'll give you pause for thought—and more.

5 Families–are–built–on–love,–not–genes stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book - especially for those of us who are "of a certain age," know someone who is "of a certain age" or may, someday, be "a certain age." The author creates a world that it's hard not to wish to enter. The richness of the writing invites the reader in, allows them to sit a while, and speculate along with the protagonist on the big questions of life. Are there really any answers? All of the characters are rich, real, and have some interesting complexities. The story offers some surprising twists and turns. Crafted with rich metaphors and great visuals, I found myself wanting to simultaneously read on and slow down. I didn't want to miss a thing! When all was said and done, it was a meaningful book written in a lively, fun way that will stay with me long after I put it down. I know, that even "of a certain age" I'm in good company. I highly recommend it.

[Whatithinkaboutthisbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Upending of Wendall Forbes by David Giuliano
Published Latitude 46

This is a warm, charming novel that is both touching and humorous. Following Wendall and Ruby, Giuliano explores aging, loneliness and the search for purpose with sensitivity and grace. The characters are so well developed that you will immediately fall in love with them. Perhaps it’s the stage of life I’m in, but I felt deeply connected to their fears, joys, love and reflections - Although I suspect they will resonate with readers of any age.

During a blizzard, Wendall and Ruby open their home to an unlikely collection of strangers, each arriving with their own burdens and stories. Giuliano creates a vivid sense of intimacy among the characters, capturing the beauty and joy of human connection - how it can forge bonds, renew our faith and invite stories to be shared. Their home shifts from a place touched by worry, fear and loneliness to one filled with laughter, belonging and warmth.

The novel doesn’t shy away from difficult topics such as depression, dementia and end of life decisions, but it approaches them with honesty, compassion and emotional insight. Ultimately this is the story of a couple who has journeyed through life together; navigating its ups and downs with love, respect and faith and who discover renewal in community.

“People who’ve been together a long time can have those difficult conversations about things like dying. Love can handle difficult things.”

[Norma Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that takes a glimpse into people in their golden years with a blizzard plus young people in the mix as well as the couple's own family members in Japan.

[Enid Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely magical. Quintessentially and authentically Canadian.

A book that will make your heart sing.

[Bambi Pepe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved The Upending of Wendall Forbes. It’s a warm, hopeful story about strangers becoming unexpected community, and it really touched me. The tone is gentle, reflective, and slightly quirky — the kind of book that feels like wrapping yourself in a soft blanket.

Wendall and Ruby’s deep, tender connection was beautiful, and the novel’s message resonated with me: even late in life, new beginnings are possible, and sometimes the most meaningful relationships come from unexpected outsiders.

As someone in middle age, living in a quieter house now that it’s just my husband and me, the idea that new friendships can fill your life again with warmth and noise meant a lot. This book reminded me that hope often arrives disguised as disruption — and I needed that.

It’s not a book I raced through; it’s one I settled into. And I know I’ll look back on it fondly for years because of how personally it spoke to me.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wendall and Ruby are retirees living in the fictional Canadian town of Twenty Six Mile House. As Christmas approaches, they are missing their family and dealing with the typical concerns of aging, including dementia. A blizzard hits the region, and their home becomes a sanctuary for several visitors, or angels, depending on your perspective. It’s a story of found family, compassion, and the power of storytelling and memory.

The characters came alive on the page and found their way into my heart. The blizzard and power outage created a perfect atmosphere for their time together in the Forbes’ home. The writing is beautiful, the dialogue natural, and there were several of those moments when I paused and went back to read a sentence again. This was one of those sentences, as Wendall steps outside to look at the stars after the storm has passed. “The heavens are alive with the ancestral stories that the stars have been telling before time.” I loved this book. Highly recommend.

[John D Kingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent writing and the emotions jump from the page into your heart. I give it 5 stars, particularly since this is not my kind of book, but it had me all the way through. What I didn't get toward the end was the the foul-mouthed raven and the lynx. It's ok in the story, but not central and not enough to waste time on the book jacket to describe the book. If anything, it detracted me from picking up the book in the first place. In the end, I'm glad I did. A wonderful story and David's writing style is smooth and makes you want to join in the fun. Cheers, and I look forward to your next book

[Susan Marrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentle, touching, and funny, just like the protagonists. David G. tackles the themes of ageing, loneliness, fear, love, and community with wit, charm, and humour, set in the wintry North of Superior. “'I am real because you see me, truly, and I see you…It makes us both real….Relationships—that’s what makes me real.’” Highly recommended for people “of a certain age” and also those who hope someday to be “of a certain age”.

[Chantal Gingras · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hit for David Giuliano! I could really imagine myself getting cozy during a storm with Wendall and his unexpected guests.b I laughed, cried and worried alongside the trapped guests.

Ironically after finishing the book last night, I woke up to a storm threatening similar conditions to the book and felt myself wishing for a cozy power outage and adventure.

[Kirsti Keetch · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about life, love, happiness, faith, and human relationships. Very thought provoking.

[Karan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Close to home. Exceptional story-telling!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*