Cibou

by Susan Young de Biagi

Sensitive and enlightening, Cibou is set in 17th-century Mi'kma'ki, territory of the Mi'kmaq of Maritime Canada. The story is that of a young Mi'kmaw woman and her relationship with Jesuit missionary Anthony Daniel - a historical figure who was stationed in Cape Breton - and his brother, Captain Charles Daniel who had established a French fishing and trading post there. (The priest Daniel was later posted to Huronia where he later met a violent end and martyrdom as Saint Anthony Daniel.) Susan Biagi has woven a marvelously intuitive tale ... at once beautiful and harsh, observing the simple and dangerous lives of cultures interacting on the threshold of new world history.

Genres: Historical Fiction

258 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Sarah N · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems that, so often, novels depicting first contact between European and Aboriginal peoples are from the European point of view. Not so with Cibou, which offers a refreshing glimpse into what contact was like for one Mi’kmaq woman, Mouse, and her people. The novel offers readers a glimpse into what life may have been like in the Mi’kma’ki in the years after first contact, describing spirituality, health, and customs. Author Susan Young de Biagi was clearly committed to her research, and paints a clear narrative throughout the novel.

Cibou was a pleasure to read, with well developed characters and a story so gripping that I didn’t put the book down, reading from cover to cover in a single sitting. I look forward to any further works by Young de Biagi, and wholeheartedly recommend Cibou to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted story

[Helen D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in Nova Scotia for a week and inspired to learn more about the Mi’kmaq culture and history. There’s a bookstore off the peer that showcases local stories and authors. This was a great recommendation! de Biagi’s writing is beautiful and helped bring my imagination to the historical fiction of the Cibou territory and Mouse’s journey. Looking forward to more, and left with different layers of contemplation.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book on a trip last summer to Nova Scotia; we were in Evangeline-country, and the interpretive centre beside the Grand Pre church had these well-stocked bookshelves in their gift shop. I'm so glad I bought it: it's been a really, really long time since I read anything positive on the subject of 'first contact', specifically, about interaction between Christianity and First Nations spirituality, so I was pretty excited by that. The author is clearly familiar with the MicMac way of life and understanding of the universe, and knows the history of Cape Breton's colonization. Although I'd probably give it 3.5 stars because of the content, I did find the writing style uneven and unclear in spots, and wasn't completely gripped by the plot. I was, however, really fascinated by the various points of view of some central issues (e.g., the afterlife, God, land ownership, relationship with animals, honour...). It's a hopeful book, and one I'm going to highly recommend for inclusion on our Book Club list for the fall. (Yay--it's on our list!)

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Bonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I really enjoyed reading. It is set in the Canadian Maritimes and is an interpretation of how the missionaries influenced the Indians who lived there. More, it is the story of how a French Priest is eventually accepted and loved. The author drew many parallels between stories of the First Nations people of the area and similar stories of Christianity. I found it a wonderful book to read.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly loved this review. Both as Maritimer, living in Cape Breton, and a devout Christian, this book added a lot to my understanding of the area's history. If this is her first novel, I look forward to any future books!

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit soap opera-ish, but an inciteful account of early Mi'kmaw-European contact in Cape Breton. Full of interesting details. Well worth reading.

[Adriaauld · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching story, sensitively told and set in a time of early Mi'kmaw-European contact.