The Macken Charm

Paperback
$14.95 US
On sale Apr 15, 2000 | 280 Pages | 9780771041969

It is the summer of 1956, and although Rusty Macken is eager to leave rural Vancouver Island – and his family – for university, the events of Glory’s funeral will not make it easy. Over the course of a single day, the rambunctious Macken clan gathers at the site of the burned-down seaside hotel that was once the family base to mourn and remember the glamorous city girl who married the wildest Macken of all but never quite adapted to their country ways. By the time the sun comes up on the following day, Rusty may have participated in something of a miracle. At the very least, he will have been forced to confront the uneasy secrets of his own heart. Compassionate, hilarious, and wise, The Macken Charm brilliantly captures the joys, the frustrations, and the rich human drama of family life.
  • NOMINEE
    Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book
Jack Hodgins is the author of seven novels, including The Resurrection of Joseph Bourne, winner of the Governor General’s Award, Broken Ground, winner of the Ethel Wilson Prize for Fiction, and Distance; and three books of short fiction. In 2006, he was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence and the Terasen Lifetime Achievement Award for an outstanding literary career in British Columbia. He lives on Vancouver Island. View titles by Jack Hodgins

About

It is the summer of 1956, and although Rusty Macken is eager to leave rural Vancouver Island – and his family – for university, the events of Glory’s funeral will not make it easy. Over the course of a single day, the rambunctious Macken clan gathers at the site of the burned-down seaside hotel that was once the family base to mourn and remember the glamorous city girl who married the wildest Macken of all but never quite adapted to their country ways. By the time the sun comes up on the following day, Rusty may have participated in something of a miracle. At the very least, he will have been forced to confront the uneasy secrets of his own heart. Compassionate, hilarious, and wise, The Macken Charm brilliantly captures the joys, the frustrations, and the rich human drama of family life.

Awards

  • NOMINEE
    Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book

Author

Jack Hodgins is the author of seven novels, including The Resurrection of Joseph Bourne, winner of the Governor General’s Award, Broken Ground, winner of the Ethel Wilson Prize for Fiction, and Distance; and three books of short fiction. In 2006, he was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence and the Terasen Lifetime Achievement Award for an outstanding literary career in British Columbia. He lives on Vancouver Island. View titles by Jack Hodgins

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