Elizabeth Hay

Canadian Elizabeth Hay's latest, SNOW ROAD STATION (2023), revisits the characters from her earlier novel, HIS WHOLE LIFE (2015), this time spotlighting Lulu Blake, a never-married, aging actress whose minor star is fading and who is facing a crisis of confidence in her stage career. So she retreats from Ottawa to the tiny (title) Ontario village of her youth to reunite with her friend, Nan and Nan's two adult sons, Blake and Jim, and also her brother Guy, who runs a large sugar bush, making and bottling maple syrup. During her sojourn there, she attends Blake's wedding (the bride is pregnant), not a very happy event, especially after an ugly encounter with Nan's ex-husband, who offers Lulu a ride and then assaults her. But then there is Hugh, a gentle, transplanted Californian handyman who tunes pianos, and a mutually satisfactory relationship ensues. Set in 2008, during the world financial meltdown, which barely affects these characters, as they gradually settle into a kind of peaceful truce, family secrets revealed and forgiven, as they coalesce around Blake and Bethany's new baby - parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Filled with beautiful descriptions of the changing of the seasons and the harvesting and processing of the sap into syrup, there is a kind of soothing peacefulness here, a sense of both an ending and a beginning. I loved this (mostly) gentle story. But, full disclosure, I've loved everything she's written. Older folks will especially love this one. My very highest recommendation.

- Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, BOOKLOVER… (mere)

Those familiar with Elizabeth Hay’s “His Whole Life” will recognize most of the characters in “Snow Road Station.” This story, however, is set in 2008, more than 10 years after the earlier novel. And its principal focus is the actress, Lulu Blake. Lulu is an aging actress whose career has been modest. It may now be coming to an end. On the pretext of a long weekend and a wedding invitation, she escapes Ottawa and her disappointing performance of Beckett’s “Happy Days,” and heads to the small town of Snow Road Station. There her brother still lives as well as her friend Nan. It is Nan’s son, Blake, who is due to get wed. But the situation is fraught. Old loves, simmering resentments, hopes and fears, and, yes, new loves make their way onto the stage.

Lulu is a wonderful character and well worth a novel of her own. She is radiant here, full of zest and fire. It’s impossible not to admire how she stands up for herself even in the face of some despicable men. (There are, however, some nice men present as well, which is a relief.) Hay is swift and incisive in capturing Lulu’s many moods, but she is perhaps more enamoured by the forests deep in snow during Lulu’s visit. Or perhaps she has difficulty deciding which she loves more. Fair enough.

It is easy to recommend this novel to readers familiar with Hay’s earlier work. But you will not be disappointed if this is your first encounter with Hay. It is not a mere sequel. Plus you’ll have the immense pleasure of looking forward to Elizabeth Hay’s entire back catalogue, which you will want to take up immediately.… (mere)