Where Rivers Run: A 6,000-Mile Exploration of Canada by Canoe

by Gary McGuffin

Book by Gary McGuffin, Joanie McGuffin

Genres: Nonfiction

241 pages, Hardcover

First published November 7, 1988

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since reading Karsten Heuer's "Being Caribou" I've been looking forward to reading another epic adventure through Canadian landscapes. Though Gary and Joanie's adventure is just as epic, the story they tell didn't provide the same sense of adventure as Heuer.

To me, the story comes across as quite negative. Rather than inspiring me to fall in love with the Canadian landscape they were advocating for (as Heuer did with the porcupine caribou herd), they instead inspired hate for the causes of its destruction. As effective as that can be, it makes me think the landscape is already lost and there's no hope in working to save it. I found Joanie's writing quite condescending and a bit egotistical, and by the end was annoyed with her...something that doesn't happen often between me and the story teller.

The writing focused on explaining in detail the difficulties endured (e.g. mosquitoes, wind, rain, daily annoyances), but only glossed over the truly wonderful/magical moments (experiences with wildlife, accomplishments on difficult rapids, etc). I'm inspired to protect natural things because of the intrinsic value I see in them. By not dedicating as much effort to describing the things they loved about the trip and their surroundings, I found myself uninspired.

The McGuffin's story is still very important. And not many authors go to the length they did to tell it - paddling and portaging 6,000 miles across Canada. They highlight the environmental and social destruction of hydro dams in the far north - something hidden from the eyes of us 'southern' dwellers.

The McGuffin's story does inspire me to pick up a paddle to experience my own adventure. If that was one of their goals, they won!

[Mike Parkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super-inspiring journey of the McGuffin's journey from the St Lawrence to the Arctic Ocean. For any dreamer who's rolled out the maps and plotted a similar journey, this book provides some good tips, such as the shortcut up the Ottawa River with a quick portage over to Georgian Bay (skipping Lake Ontario, Erie, much of Huron and of course Niagara Falls!), the unexpected beauty of the (now-dammed) Winnipeg River, and the "bifurcation lake" of Wollasotn Lake - a lake with an outlet flowing in two directions, allowing for a portage-free crossing into the Arctic watershed! This was the McGuffins' first book, and some of the annoying hectoring and naivete of people in their early 20s who think they know more than they do comes through in the writing, but it is greatly outweighed by their passion for nature and their home country.

[Tom Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Their journey was an epic one. These two were focused and had grim determination with a never-let-up attitude coupled with plenty of stamina. The writing though, could have been a bit more exciting.

[Isaac Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Incredible adventure, amazing people and a must read book

[Shubhneet Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

If it feels you’re spending more time with the book then you actually are, I take it to be a good sign to swap for something that echoes your cause.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the Odyssey for every wilderness adventurer or dreamer.
One couldn't be blamed for thinking they were familiar with Sid Marty's 'Men for the Mountains.'

[Mike Barat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not long ago I was having a conversation with someone and we trying think of a good book about traveling that we have read and neither one of us could think of one, ( the other person is a librarian. Which shows how rare good books about traveling are. ) I think I started the conservation by saying of all the travel books I have read none of them have been any good. Than the next day of course I remembered this book as the only good travel book I have ever read. It figures I would remember the next day. Imagine if you will the day after you get married you and your other half go on a canoe trip for a few months in Canada. That's what happened in this book. Perhaps the most satisficing part of this book is not the traveling adventure, but finding out there's a lot of good people in Canada. there of people letting them camp on their property and let them stay for a day or two in their homes and feed them, some even gave out chocolate bars. I know I did not give any real details about this book, the reason for that is I would rather someone read the book and decide for themselves.

[Carolyn McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book. I really felt like I was there paddling along with them, minus the blackfly and mosquito bites! I actually got to meet them both when they came to do a talk in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. They're very entertaining but unpretentious people.
They've written a great book.

[Bham Amp · Rating 4 out of 5]

One amazing trip so far.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great! Unexpected set-backs and thrilling tales of surviving bugs and muck. Great read for the canoehead.