What do you think?
Rate this book
The Crow Who Tampered with Time
Lloyd Ratzlaff brings the prairie landscape to life through a capacious imagination charged with wonder and the gentle irony of an awareness tempered by time and love. A remarkable new talent in the burgeoning field of literary non-fiction, Ratzlaff connects with the challenges posed by scepticism and belief, countering both the cynicism and doctrinairism of contemporary life with a renewed praise of the profound depths of the spirit and the natural world.
134 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2002
About the author
Lloyd Ratzlaff
6 books2 followersLloyd Ratzlaff is the author of a triptych of personal literary essays, the editor of an anthology of seniors’ writings published by READ Saskatoon, and a monthly columnist for Prairie Messenger Catholic Journal. He has served on the boards of several writing organizations and has taught writing classes for the University of Saskatchewan Certificate of Art & Design (USCAD) and the Western Development Museum. Both his creative non-fiction and professional pieces have been widely published throughout Canada and the United States. Ratzlaff lives in Saskatoon.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 8, 2022
Illuminating essays rich in sensitive thoughts
Canadian author Lloyd Ratzlaff has served as a minister, counselor, lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan, has taught writing classes for the Western Development Museum, READ Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan Certificate of Art and Design, and as columnist for Prairie Messenger Catholic Journal. His books to date - BACKWATER MYSTIC BLUES and now THE CROW WHO TAMPERED WITH TIME. Before opening this collection of essays, Ratzlaff shares, ‘I will no longer make New Year’s resolutions. I know how feeble willpower is. I make only these daily resolves: to breathe consciously; to smile as often as possible; to give up worrying; to accept the present moment with re-born attention. Year-end and year-beginning are fictional times separated by no more than a breath or a blink of an eye. In that breath, in that blink, eternity resides. Lost in time, we look for directions to get away. Here in eternity, we love and work.’ That quality of sensitive, humble, supportive writing is present in each of the essays in this memorable collection.
Written in response to the prairie atmosphere of his homeland (Saskatchewan, with Alberta, is one of the two landlocked provinces of Canada - no contact with water bodies), Ratzlaff’s words inquire, respond to nature, share spiritual insights, and elicit smiles and sighs as his thoughts illuminate our perception of reality and possibilities. In each of the twenty-three essays his writing has gentle wit and perceptions of ‘now’ and ‘after now’ that linger long after reading. For an uplifting experience, join Lloyd Ratzlaff in this journey of wonder. Very highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Canadian author Lloyd Ratzlaff has served as a minister, counselor, lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan, has taught writing classes for the Western Development Museum, READ Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan Certificate of Art and Design, and as columnist for Prairie Messenger Catholic Journal. His books to date - BACKWATER MYSTIC BLUES and now THE CROW WHO TAMPERED WITH TIME. Before opening this collection of essays, Ratzlaff shares, ‘I will no longer make New Year’s resolutions. I know how feeble willpower is. I make only these daily resolves: to breathe consciously; to smile as often as possible; to give up worrying; to accept the present moment with re-born attention. Year-end and year-beginning are fictional times separated by no more than a breath or a blink of an eye. In that breath, in that blink, eternity resides. Lost in time, we look for directions to get away. Here in eternity, we love and work.’ That quality of sensitive, humble, supportive writing is present in each of the essays in this memorable collection.
Written in response to the prairie atmosphere of his homeland (Saskatchewan, with Alberta, is one of the two landlocked provinces of Canada - no contact with water bodies), Ratzlaff’s words inquire, respond to nature, share spiritual insights, and elicit smiles and sighs as his thoughts illuminate our perception of reality and possibilities. In each of the twenty-three essays his writing has gentle wit and perceptions of ‘now’ and ‘after now’ that linger long after reading. For an uplifting experience, join Lloyd Ratzlaff in this journey of wonder. Very highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
December 28, 2022
The Review
This was a profound and thought-provoking read. The author did an incredible job of capturing some pretty strong themes, from faith and nature as more general themes to more intricate themes like the nature of reality itself and the need to focus on the here and now rather than the future constantly. The thoughtful atmosphere the author crafted balanced the personal nature of the author’s writing style.
The heart of this narrative was in the author’s personal and heartfelt delivery of each essay. The connection the author shares to his homeland of Saskatchewan in Canada and how the land doesn’t connect to bodies of water made for powerful imagery and a great way to input imagery into the author’s writing style. The wonderment and spiritual nature o the author’s experiences and views will resonate greatly with many readers.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, captivating, and engaging, author Lloyd Ratzlaff’s “The Crow Who Tampered with Time” is a memorable collection of essays that readers will want to identify with. The emotional weight of this author’s experiences and the personal nature of each essay will allow readers to connect to the author’s messages and themes in a great way.
This was a profound and thought-provoking read. The author did an incredible job of capturing some pretty strong themes, from faith and nature as more general themes to more intricate themes like the nature of reality itself and the need to focus on the here and now rather than the future constantly. The thoughtful atmosphere the author crafted balanced the personal nature of the author’s writing style.
The heart of this narrative was in the author’s personal and heartfelt delivery of each essay. The connection the author shares to his homeland of Saskatchewan in Canada and how the land doesn’t connect to bodies of water made for powerful imagery and a great way to input imagery into the author’s writing style. The wonderment and spiritual nature o the author’s experiences and views will resonate greatly with many readers.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, captivating, and engaging, author Lloyd Ratzlaff’s “The Crow Who Tampered with Time” is a memorable collection of essays that readers will want to identify with. The emotional weight of this author’s experiences and the personal nature of each essay will allow readers to connect to the author’s messages and themes in a great way.
November 4, 2025
Thoughtful and inspiring essays or personal about faith, growing up and life, set among fields and natural settings, in Saskatchewan.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews