"Through Black Spruce" by Joseph Boyden ****

Joseph Boyden has a skilful knack for capturing contemporary living while simultaneously celebrating the traditional cultures, beliefs and lifestyle of the First Nation’s people.

This novel is comprised primarily of two captivating narratives that are separate and distinct but irretrievably interconnected. The local is Moosone, an imaginary town on James Bay in Northern Ontario. One strand of the story reveals the events the preceded Will Bird, a remarkable bush pilot, being in a coma.

The second strand relates to his two nieces. Suzanne, a well known fashion model has disappeared. Her sister Annie travels to Toronto, Montreal and New York in hopes of finding her. In the most tantalizing manner the novel reveals the secrets of Will and Annie in magical mix of metropolitan decadence contrasted with the essential survival of living of the land in a barren wilderness.