Reading List: 15 Books Set in Canada
A good novel can take you where you’ve never been and may never go. The books featured in this reading list will transport you to isolated coves, small mining towns, expansive prairies and untamed Canadian wilderness. Each book has been read and recommended by the Wayfarer’s Bureau team. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
Alias Grace
Author: Margaret Atwood
Set in: Ontario, Canada
Summary: Alias Grace fictionalises the true story of Grace Marks, a domestic servant in Canada, who was convicted of murdering her employer and his housekeeper in 1843. The novel unfolds as Grace recounts her life story to Dr. Simon Jordan, a psychiatrist who hopes to uncover the truth about the crimes. Class, gender roles, and mental illness in the Victorian era are examined throughout the story.
The Stone Diaries
Author: Carol Shields
Set in: Manitoba and Ontario, Canada
Summary: The Stone Diaries is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that follows the life of Daisy Goodwill Flett from her birth in a small Manitoba town in 1905 to her death in the late 20th century. Structured like an autobiography, the novel recounts the highs, lows, and ordinary moments of Daisy’s long life. The narrator becomes a cherished friend as she relives her memories and grapples with emotions and events that resonate with us all.
The Tenderness of Wolves
Author: Stef Penney
Set in: Northern Territory, Canada
Summary: The Tenderness of Wolves is a gripping mystery set in the harsh landscape of northern Canada in the 1860s. When a local trapper is found murdered, suspicion falls upon his neighbour's son, who has since vanished. Mrs. Ross, the accused's determined mother, follows her son’s tracks into the snow-covered wilderness, hoping to clear his name. However, she isn’t the only one in pursuit. Trappers, traders, and investigators also head out into the unforgiving terrain, each with motives and agendas. But will any of them find what they are looking for?
Dandelion
Author: Jamie Chai Yun Liew
Set in: British Colombia, Canada
Summary: At eleven, Lily's world shattered when her mother, Swee Hua, vanished from the small mining town they called home. Now a mother herself, Lily is consumed by the need to uncover the truth about her mother’s disappearance. Even decades later, her family remains tight-lipped, and it isn't until an old friend comes forward that Lily is finally given a clue. She travels to Southeast Asia hoping to find answers to questions that have haunted her for so long.
Dandelion was awarded the Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers Award.
The Innocents
Author: Michael Crummey
Set in: Newfoundland
Summary: Set in the 19th century, The Innocents is the heart-wrenching story of two siblings, Evered, eleven, and Ada, nine. When their parents die, leaving them completely alone in a cove on Newfoundland’s coast, they must learn to survive both physically and emotionally. As they grow and time passes, their bond deepens. Still, their challenges intensify, testing the limits of their love and resilience.
The Call of the Wild
Author: Jack London
Set in: Yukon, Canada and Alaska, USA
Summary: The Call of the Wild follows the journey of Buck, a dog stolen from his comfortable California home and forced into the harsh realities of the Klondike Gold Rush. Buck endures brutal conditions and cruelty as he learns to tap into his primal instincts to survive as a sled dog. As he embraces his true nature, Buck dreams of a life free from human control and must ultimately choose whether to answer the call of his wild ancestors.
A Town Called Solace
Author: Mary Lawson
Set in: Ontario, Canada
Summary: In the small town of Solace, the lives of three individuals become unexpectedly intertwined. Clara, a young girl heartbroken by the sudden disappearance of her older sister, clings to the hope of her return. Liam, a recently divorced man in his thirties, is new to town and moves into a house left to him by a woman he barely remembers. Elizabeth, an elderly woman, seeks to make amends for the events of her past. As the summer progresses, hidden truths come to light, and the characters must navigate the grief, remorse, and love that connects them.
A Town Called Solace was Longlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize.
The Shipping News
Author: Annie Proulx
Set in: Newfoundland, Canada
Summary: This novel follows Quoyle, a gentle and grieving newspaper reporter, whose life is shattered when his unfaithful wife dies in a car accident. Seeking a fresh start, Quoyle returns to his ancestral home in Newfoundland with his aunt and two young daughters. The warm and eccentric locals welcome the newcomers, offering Quoyle a job at the local paper, helping with house renovations, and even caring for the girls when needed. As the family begins to heal from past traumas, long-buried truths surface, and new relationships blossom, allowing them to find a sense of belonging in this strange and beautiful place.
The Shipping News was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.
Anne of Green Gables
Author: L.M Montgomery
Set in: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Summary: Anne Shirley, an imaginative and talkative orphan, is mistakenly sent to live with elderly siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. They had intended to adopt a boy to help on their farm but were quickly charmed by Anne's spirited nature and decided to keep her. Although Anne has a bit of a temper and often finds herself in trouble, her kindness, intelligence, and optimism endear her to the tight-knit community of Avonlea. While Anne of Green Gables is marketed as a children's book, it’s a classic enjoyed by readers of all ages.
The Stone Angel
Author: Margaret Laurence
Set in: Manitoba, Canada
Summary: This Canadian classic tells the story of Hagar Shipley, an independent and proud elderly woman, who struggles to come to terms with her declining health and the prospect of being placed in a nursing home. Through her memories and present-day experiences, we discover a life marked by complex relationships, heart-wrenching loss, and unyielding stubbornness. A prairie woman through and through, Hagar has always suppressed her emotions, summoned strength, and persevered. But now she must face the question: can she let her guard down and open up enough to accept the help she needs?
Medicine Walk
Author: Richard Wagamese
Set in: British Columbia, Canada
Summary: Franklin Starlight grew up without his father, Eldon, and has only a few memories of disappointing visits from his childhood. But when Eldon's health deteriorates after years of heavy drinking, Franklin feels a sense of duty to honour his father's final request. He agrees to take Eldon into the wilderness, where he wishes to die and be buried in the Ojibway warrior tradition—sitting upright and facing east. As they embark on this difficult and emotional journey, father and son confront their past, their strained relationship, and the consequences of Eldon's life choices.
The Bear
Author: Claire Cameron
Set in: Ontario, Canada
Summary: The Bear is the shocking story of two young siblings, five-year-old Anna and her little brother Stick, who are left alone in the Canadian wilderness after a bear attacks their parents. Narrated by Anna, we experience the world through her eyes as she tries to be brave, survive the harsh elements, and protect her brother. A powerful story of love and resilience in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
Déjà Dead
Author: Kathy Reichs
Set in: Quebec, Canada
Summary: When the dismembered body of a woman is discovered in Montreal, forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan is called in to identify the remains and shed light on the circumstances surrounding the death. As Brennan investigates, she uncovers evidence suggesting the murderer is a serial killer but faces scepticism from the lead investigator on the case. The story follows Brennan as she races to convince him before the killer strikes again. Déjà Dead is the first book in the Temperance Brennan series that inspired the hit TV show Bones.
If real-life stories are more your style, these non-fiction books set in northern Canada are a must-read:
Into the Abyss
Author: Carol Shaben
Set in: Alberta, Canada
Summary: In October 1984, a commuter plane carrying nine passengers crashed in northern Alberta. Only four people survived: the pilot, a politician, a convict, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police constable escorting him. Into the Abyss reveals how they survived the night together in the Canadian wilderness.
Boundless
Author: Kathleen Winter
Set in: Northwest Passage, Canada
Summary: Boundless is a travel memoir that details Kathleen Winter’s journey through the Northwest Passage. She shares her thoughts on her identity, history, and the Arctic landscape. Through interactions with scientists, Inuit communities, and fellow passengers, she explores issues such as climate change, globalisation, and cultural preservation. Her detailed descriptions bring this beautiful and vulnerable region to life.
