I once read that Ethel Wilson was British Columbia's best novelist, and after reading this novel I can understand why. I've finished about 15 or 20 early British Columbia novels and this book was the greatest. The main character Maggie Lloyd is fully realized and Nell Severance was a memorable scene stealer. I was surprised by the evocation of British Columbia scenery as I was previously informed Ethel Wilson delved primarily into the interior life of her characters, and this was manifestly untrue. Many times I was surprised and delighted to read about the small revealing gestures and thoughts of people familiar to my experience and yet overlooked, little shocks of recognition. Once example was when Maggie couldn't recall the face of her first husband and I have recently had the same experience with a departed friend I knew well. Another was the gabby bus passenger and the perfect emphasis of her words. I look forward to reading the rest of Wilson's books. ( )

This book has appeared on so many lists of Great Canadian books that I always felt bad I had not read it. Thanks to a friend I have now remedied that lack. And it is just as good as all the lists imply.

Maggie Vardoe is unhappily married. Edward Vardoe is her second husband; her first husband, Tom Lloyd, was an airman and died during World War II. Then her child died followed soon after by her father. She worked in a store that Edward Vardoe managed somewhere in New Brunswick and when he asked her to marry him she accepted. They then left New Brunswick and moved all the way to Vancouver where Edward works as a real estate agent. Maggie, who learned how to tie fishing flies from her father, decides to earn money to leave the marriage by making and selling flies. Finally she accumulates enough to give her a nest egg that will provide a bus ticket out of Vancouver into the interior of BC and some money to live on until she can land a job. The author's description of that bus ride and the people who sit beside Maggie would be enough to make reading the book worthwhile. But there is more, so much more. Maggie does find a job helping a couple run a fishing lodge in the mountains outside of Kamloops. She writes back to her old neighbours, Hilda and Mrs. Severance, to let them know where she is. Mrs. Severance, a former juggler in a circus, is quite the character. The book's title comes from a gun that she used in her juggling act. She sends the gun to Maggie after she has a fall outside her house and people see the gun. She is afraid the police will confiscate the gun so she sends it to Maggie with instructions to keep it until she dies and then toss it in the deepest part of the lake. Maggie's new life has its difficulties, such as the jealous wife of the owner, but she loves the land and the creatures in it. There is a lovely little description of a kitten and a young deer playing in the forest early one morning. It is so well described that I am sure Ethel Wilson must have seen something like this herself.

This book is only about 150 pages in the New Canadian Library edition that I read but it is a book that I took my time with in order that I could savour the text. Ethel Wilson didn't publish her first novel until she was 60. I haven't read anything else by her but I am eager to do so. This late bloomer is a wonderful addition to the literary world. ( )

As with most Canadian literature I found this book surprisingly good. ( )

pleasantly surprised. i didn't really understand why the story about the swamp angel was there. ( )

Beautiful, quirky novel that offers a rare strong female protagonist who decides to choose her own fate and to let herself to "her own self be true." A woman who slips out of one life and into another one and yet who orchestrates that better life to boast good male and female cast members. I also like the fact that the backstories are not all plausible as can be, that we have to suspend our disbelief a bit. Sometimes are parents are not easily explained lawyers and teachers. A fast day-or-two read, this is a unique pleasure. ( )