This story really moved me and opened my eyes to a part of my Canadian history I was not aware of. This story opened my heart to the children who suffered so when they were torn from their loved ones.
Well written Brad. I am looking forward to sharing this book with friends and family and also to your next novel.
Jane Gagnon ~ Sept. 4, 2015
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Brad,
I am so glad our conversation at the Red Deer Rec Centre turned in the direction it did and you told me about your book. It is very moving-a real eye-opener. I read and re-read it and will certainly recommend it to many of my friends. Paul Williams ~ July 2015
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Just a reminder of a fabulous book written by Red Deer Alberta author Brad Barnes, "The Reluctant Canadian". I have received a personal and verbal endorsement of this book by Don Cherry (a BHCD himself). Don read this book from cover to cover and it touched him very much - enough that he agreed to speak on behalf of our BHC at our July 28th event. This is an excellent book which I read on the plane coming home last year from meeting Brad myself.
Lori Oschefski - British Home Children Advocacy and Research Association
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I purchased your book from you at the Didsbury art show this September. I frequently have two or three books on the go at any time. However, when I started reading your book, I was compelled to finish it. What an interesting, moving, well-written story. I do plan on passing your book around to share the experience. Well done!
Carolyn Rew
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I just finished your novel last night after waiting way too long to open it, since your book signing at CrossIron Mills in Calgary. Time got the better of me, but when I moved back to Australia earlier this month, I decided I wanted to fall in love with reading again. Well, I couldn't have chosen a better book to do that. Your novel is deeply moving and it took a lot to hold tears back at times, but most importantly, you shared a story I haven't heard before and, I believe, respected the suffering that so many children (and parents) experienced, by acknowledging the dire, long term impacts such traumatic events can cause. Aside from telling a story I couldn't put down, it was a beautiful, easy read. Thank you and please keep writing!
Amanda Zonca
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Goodreads Review.................January, 2014--------------Four Stars
I really enjoyed this book on a topic I knew little about. Very effective and interesting storytelling.
Thalia
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Goodreads Review........March 28, 2014------------FIVE STARS
Several years ago, while working on our family genealogy, I found out my husband's great grandmother was a British Home Child. At the time, I had no idea what that was. I have since done a lot more research on the subject. She apparently had a much better experience than the boy Sidney in this book.
I found this book riveting and could not put it down. I realize it was a fictional portrayal but I am sure many of the 100,000 children who came to Canada this way suffered similar fates.
What a dark period in Canadian history. More people need to be aware of what happened to these children. I loved the way the author told the story through Mary and how the sons reacted to the retelling.
Thank you Mr. Barnes for telling this story based on real life events. I recommend this book to everyone.
Linda
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A "small gift" from my friend Guy called, "The Reluctant Canadian" has by no means been a small gift! It has been a book like none other! It captivated my heart to the point where it felt broken for this family, I sobbed at times, my stomach nauseous, my eyes feeling like sandpaper after reading into the early morning hours, unable to put it down to give them a break and rest that my body would require to handle the demands of work the next day.While stricken with my naivety of this whole period of Canadian history, I am extremely grateful to the knowledge that has been brought to my attention by the writing of this book.
Like others who have read this book, it has left me hungry to know more of the journey this family has been on. Like George listening to Mary tell Sid's story, I too sit with tea cup in hand eagerly waiting with anticipation to hear more, to hold another book in my hand!
Valerie Tinkler
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Brad
A couple weeks ago my sister called and told me buy a copy of The Reluctant Canadian because it was a story about the BHC and that it drew many similarities to our family history as our great-grandmother was a Home Child. I read the book in 2 days unable to put it down until it was done.
Dan Soper
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Brad- I just finished your book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Your language is so descriptive; I had no trouble imagining the different scenario's in each chapter. Sidney is such a tragic figure; I found myself angry with him one minute and feeling so sorry for him the next. I love the way the story is told through Mary and the ending is action packed but in a subtle way.
Thank you for writing this important novel and I look forward to your next book. BTW; I put a short review on my FB page and encouraged my American and Canadian friends to pick up a copy. Thanks again.
Brian Hamilton
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It was a pleasure to speak with you earlier today Brad at Edmonton South Chapters. I sat down this evening thinking that I would read a few chapters....well I was mistaken. I was absorbed so much by your writing & the story itself...I completed the entire book. Beautiful, heart wrenching & extremely truthful.
'Please write more of these stories. Please be the voice that has needed to speak for so many years. So many children have endured such tragic lives, in so many ways.'
Thank you so much.
Corinna Miller
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More Reader Reviews Below
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Book review by Peggy Freeman~freelance book reviewer~published in the Red Deer Advocate on March 15, 2013.
This is probably the saddest story I’ve read for awhile, and though written as a Novel, it tells the story of the life of the authors grandfather.
The story begins in east London, in a poor slum. The family consisted of Frederick and Eleanor and their three sons, Reginald, George and Sidney. Reginald is twelve and a great trouble to his parents, out of control and mean. George is ten years old and has a crippled leg, which causes him to limp. Sidney is just five, a sensitive and caring young boy.
The family have a happy though meager Christmas together, but a month later Frederick is dead, and with no money for rent, Eleanor and the boys begin living by their wits, on the streets. The year is 1911, and this pathetic group are not the only family struggling just to stay alive.
A man who describes himself as the Superintendent of the Children’s Organization befriends a desperate Eleanor and promises warm beds and three meals a day for the boys, “just until you can get your things in order.” With no choice, Eleanor signs the documents he presents.
During the years from 1860 -1920’s there was a scarcity of farm workers in Canada. A program was put in place that would take youngsters, poor and supposedly orphans from Britain, to live in Canada. These “Home Children” were to be servants and farm labourers. The agreement said they were to be sent to School, fed and housed and to be payed a small amount. It was this “trap” that the boys had fallen into. George was pronounced unfit because of his twisted leg, but Sidney, now eight years old, along with seventy-four other boys, boarded ship for Canada.
Because Sidney was a bright, and obedient child, he was frightened, but still hopeful that he would see his mother again. He had no conception of the distance to Canada. So we follow Sidney from one horrible place to another; his first “home” with a brutal drunk and his abused wife.
Next, a placement with a “good Christian” woman, no less a brute than the drunk. He is fearful and lonely, but he learns to work very hard, and for self protection, becomes watchful. Eventually he lives a life on the run.
Now, Sid the old man is dying estranged from two families, but he has a friend, and he tells her of his journey. There is no doubt that bad choices along the way made his life very difficult. Though he hurt others, most of his anger was directed at himself. When love finally came to find him, the small sensitive boy had been destroyed. Similarities to Residential School experience is obvious.
Not every “Home Child” had bad treatment, Sid’s brother Reginald landed with a good caring family, and prospered.
This author has written a very readable and moving story. I recommend it.
Peggy Freeman is a local freelance books reviewer.
Reader Reviews
I just wanted to send a quick note and say I loved your book! I didn't put it down for 2 days. I am very excited to meet you in September.
Jodie Smith Amsing
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Just finished "The Reluctant Canadian" Loved this book!
Susan Marie Siever
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Halfway through reading "The Reluctant Canadian" by Brad Barnes. I love it!! What a great story. It really is still so hard for me to believe that my grandma was shipped across the ocean from Britain 100 years ago this March at the age of 13. Thank you Brad Barnes for writing this story!!!
Beverley Little
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Just finished reading your book. Both my mother (who's mother was a BHC) and husband read it. We all loved it!!!!
Beverley Little
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As the great granddaughter of a Barnardo's home child, I couldn't put this book down and read it in one sitting. Well written, I think it will not only educate about the child immigration scheme, but also give personal insight into the lingering devastation that it caused for many of the children and their subsequent families.
Judy Stockham
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Hi Brad - congratulations, very proud of you but not surprised. It is a wonderful read. Cheers!
Natalie Currie.
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Started your book yesterday. Can't put it down. Very sensitive style. Thanks for writing it. Picked up an autograph copy in St Thomas.
Brian Hamilton
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Well written and very thought provoking Brad. You definitely captured the lack of empathy and compassion that was displayed in ripping these children away from everything they knew and transporting them to a foreign land ...and so young too!! Two thumbs up to your first book, it was a page turner for sure. Now, what's your next one about?
Kit Crocker.
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I'm part way through the book and you have captured my full attention, however I've have had priorities and other distractions keeping me away from it. I hear Sid calling me and in a couple of hours will likely be reading into the wee hours of the morning!
Judy Mann
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Jodie Smith Amsing
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Just finished "The Reluctant Canadian" Loved this book!
Susan Marie Siever
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Halfway through reading "The Reluctant Canadian" by Brad Barnes. I love it!! What a great story. It really is still so hard for me to believe that my grandma was shipped across the ocean from Britain 100 years ago this March at the age of 13. Thank you Brad Barnes for writing this story!!!
Beverley Little
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Just finished reading your book. Both my mother (who's mother was a BHC) and husband read it. We all loved it!!!!
Beverley Little
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As the great granddaughter of a Barnardo's home child, I couldn't put this book down and read it in one sitting. Well written, I think it will not only educate about the child immigration scheme, but also give personal insight into the lingering devastation that it caused for many of the children and their subsequent families.
Judy Stockham
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Hi Brad - congratulations, very proud of you but not surprised. It is a wonderful read. Cheers!
Natalie Currie.
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Started your book yesterday. Can't put it down. Very sensitive style. Thanks for writing it. Picked up an autograph copy in St Thomas.
Brian Hamilton
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Well written and very thought provoking Brad. You definitely captured the lack of empathy and compassion that was displayed in ripping these children away from everything they knew and transporting them to a foreign land ...and so young too!! Two thumbs up to your first book, it was a page turner for sure. Now, what's your next one about?
Kit Crocker.
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I'm part way through the book and you have captured my full attention, however I've have had priorities and other distractions keeping me away from it. I hear Sid calling me and in a couple of hours will likely be reading into the wee hours of the morning!
Judy Mann
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