The Cartographer of No Man's Land: A Novel [Paperback]

From a village in Nova Scotia to the trenches of France, P. S. Duffys astonishing debut showcases a rare talent emerging in midlife.A Compelling...Turning the final page, I wanted to go back to the beginning, if only to contemplate a writer who has such a broad and compassionate understanding of the human condition. Debut author P.S. Duffy captures the brutal intensity of the war in her delicate, atmospheric prose (star shells light the sky with a cascading trail of sparks ), but it's the parallel story of how Hettie and Angus's 14-year-old son survive in his absencewhile protecting an innocent German school teacherthat keeps you riveted. A vivid debut novel about war, families and friendship in a Nova Scotia fishing village&a deep and vivid exploration of the human heart and the high seas, reminiscent of Erich Maria Remarques Duffys well-researched account of bloody 1917 battle of Vimy Ridge should satisfy even the most die-hard of WWI buffs. Essential reading for historical fiction lovers and war story fans alike; very highly recommended. Physical and emotional geography are beautifully rendered, and Duffys vivid descriptions illuminate wars transformative effect in fresh ways. Well-nuanced characters and carefully choreographed (but still surprising) situations make this a strong debut. Both settings come to lifethanks to Duffys full realizationeach character, however minor, is a distinctpersonality&her patience in developing the cast of characters makes for anunusually rich novel. To call this novel a coming-of-age story is not nearly enough; every character in this beautiful novelyoung or oldis faced with a rapidly changing world and the task of finding firm-footing within it. Never sentimental, Duffy knows where to find the humanity at the heart of even the smallest gestures. By the end I was so immersed in this story that I swear I could hear water lapping the pilings. A graceful, dignified look at all the ways in which war is endured: frolӅ