The Way The Crow Flies

Have you ever finished a book and then immediately felt as though you were supposed to tell the entire rest of the world to read it?
That is how I feel about this book by Ann-Marie MacDonald, The Way The Crow Flies.
I’ve been reading it for a while, it’s not exactly a pamphlet. It’s a bit of a whopper at more than 700 pages. Such a worthwhile read, though.
I have not read her other book, the Oprah-approved© one, called Fall On Your Knees, but if it is half as good as this one, I want to get it and read it.
I hate labels, pigeon-holing books into genres, but I’m going to do it here and call this thing a “literary-thriller.”
It covers a 24-year span (from 1962 – 1986) in the life of Madeleine McCarthy. On page one she is 8 years old. On page 713, she is 32.
Madeleine’s father Jack is in the Canadian Air Force and the family is posted to Centralia, Ontario in ’62. Together with mother Mimi and son Mike, the four soon adjust to their new environment.
However, unforeseen events simultaneously conspire in the life of Jack and his daughter Madeleine… unrelated events that are secrets to each, unknown to the other.
Jack becomes embroiled in international espionage. Madeleine, in physical and mental abuse at the hands of a demented schoolteacher.
The genius of the story is found in the way that the repurcussions of these unrelated events will echo in the lives of the entire community when a third, and equally unforeseen factor, is introduced.
A brutal murder is committed on the outskirts of town.
Because of childhood innocence, misplaced guilt, unspoken secrets, Jack’s loyalty to a lifelong friend and mentor, and a botched investigation… an innocent man is convicted of the heinous crime. Another is never heard from again.
And many lives will never be the same again. Forever changed.

Nothing, NOTHING is as it seems!
I have rarely read such a good book, and I read a lot of books.
The last 80 or so pages had me spellbound. The twist, the twist, the twist… do you like a twisty story? This one’s got it. Don’t peek. Don’t glance at the last pages before you actually get there. Just don’t do it!
Profoundly moving!

The story begins with a very fitting epigram:

We are doomed to choose, and every choice may entail an irreparable loss. -- Isaiah Berlin –

The crows will tell you the rest…

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