Vanessa Winn

Winn's novel set in historic Victoria, British Columbia is a book I gravitated to and it did not disappoint. The time period of the story - 1858 to 1861 - is when the village of Victoria saw drastic population growth and development: Vancouver Island had been declared a British Colony less than 10 years previously and had recently elected their first House of Assembly, The discovery of gold in 1857 on the mainland had lead to the Fraser Gold Rush, and New Caledonia was proclaimed as the Colony of British Columbia on August, 1858.

Against this historical backdrop, the story follows Margaret Work, her sisters and other prominent families of Fort Victoria as they attend parties, balls and assembly rooms hosted by British naval officers and royal engineers far removed from English society. Margaret, in her mid-20's and still unwed, wonders if she is facing a possible life of spinsterhood, but is also concerned at the societal changes that she witnesses occurring around her. Her mixed British-Metis heritage is suddenly a target of elitist snobbery even though her father, John Work, is the Chief Factor of the colony for the Hudson's Bay Company.

Winn has crafted a highly readable and enjoyable recreation of the people and events that have shaped Victoria and British Columbia's history. While having a detailed understanding of the people and events made me savor the book, it can be read on its own without understanding the history it depicts..... knowing the history, in my opinion, enhances the experience.… (mere)