I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A small family struggles in early 20th century Canada as they fight to make a life for themselves amidst turmoil and tragedy in author Karin Melberg Schwier’s “Small Reckonings”, the latest from ShadowPaw Press. 

The Synopsis

In the early 20th century, as homesteaders in Saskatchewan are scratching out hard new lives on the Canadian prairie, William, an adventurer from New Zealand, brings his new bride, Louise, to the freshly broken earth of his farm near Watrous.

Physical and emotional isolation take their toll on everyone struggling to survive in the harsh landscape, and when William and Louise’s second child, Violet, is born “feebleminded,” it plunges Louise—a woman burdened with a dark secret—back into a time of shame and regret, even as the child draws out goodness and loyalty from her neighbours, Hank and Emily.

Then tragedy upends the family, and William, while struggling to raise and protect his daughter and find his way to forgiveness, must come to terms with the fact that no one is infallible.

The Review

This was a profoundly moving and heartbreaking read. The grim and gritty realities of life in early 20th century Canada as families established land and home were well developed in this historical fiction read, bringing a realistic touch to the setting and atmosphere. The tension that builds within this particular family unit and the constant hits to their family dynamics were both tragic and engaging all at the same time. 

The heart of this narrative rested in the compelling character growth and dynamics that the story established. The hardships and struggles that you see for William and Louise as Violet grows and struggles with her own problems were tragic to see and would impact any and all parents, and yet the hope and brightness that Violet brought to those around her was so moving, making the events that transpire towards the back half of the book that much more heartbreaking to behold. 

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, emotional, and insightful, author Karin Melberg Schwier’s “Small Reckonings” is a must-read historical fiction and family drama that you don’t want to miss. The twists and turns in the family’s history and drama will keep readers invested, and the emotional investment that readers make especially in Violet’s story as she experiences hardship, loss, and unexpected trauma made this one story that will hit close to home for many readers. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Karin is a full-time freelance writer, editor and illustrator. She writes for local and national magazines and newspapers, and a variety of non-profits, businesses and government agencies. Her photographs often accompany her work, and her illustrations appear in books, presentations and private collections.

While she has a longtime focus on disability issues, she is a sought-after and versatile writer and handles each job with respect, professionalism and a sense of humour. She can find the thread of a good story in subjects ranging from kitchen design, a seniors’ ski team, bariatric weight loss surgery, to energy efficient housing, outdoor home theatres, Saskatoon’s water quality, business profiles, and volunteer accomplishments.

One favourite interview had her digging into the childhood memories of a Hollywood actor who called her “a joy to talk to and an artist” at interviewing. But it is often what she draws from less celebrated people that she finds most interesting. Another favourite was with Ukrainian babas, one 90 and the other 96, sisters who still garden in their Saskatoon back yards. She approaches every assignment knowing there’s a worthwhile story to be told, and she understands the importance of the good communications loop in every project.

She is the current editor of and writer for Saskatoon HOME magazine, and also contributes pieces to Prairies North magazine.

Her writing has appeared as invited book chapters and in anthologies in Canada and the U.S. A non-fiction contribution appears in In The Company of Animals: Stories of Extraordinary Encounters (Nimbus Publishing). She has written eight books with a focus on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and edited several others. One best seller was translated into German, Italian, and Korean. She was pleased when not long ago actor Benjamin Bratt performed a story from one of her books as a dramatic reading at the Santa Monica Playhouse. Flourish: People with Disabilities Living Life with Passion, was launched in 2012, to critical acclaim. This book is no longer available on Amazon, but you can reach out to the author directly at karin.schwier@mac.com and purchase a copy there for $20 plus shipping.

Her debut novel, Small Reckonings, was published by Burton House Books in the spring 2020. It sold out of the first two printings by the fall, and a revised edition was released in March 2021.

The manuscript won the John V. Hicks Award for Fiction in 2019, and the novel won the Saskatoon Book Award category in the Saskatchewan Book Awards for 2021.  Later that year, the book was recognized as one of three in the Glengarry Book Award Jury Short List, Recognition of Literary Excellence.

In 2021, the sequel manuscript to Small Reckonings was completed. Inheriting Violet won the John V. Hicks Award for Fiction, 2022. The first prize was presented at the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild annual conference in September.

At the SWG awards ceremony with one of the two judges of the 2022 Hicks Award for Fiction, novelist and playwright Kagiso Lesego Molope (the other was fiction writer Kevin Hardcastle) and second prize winner Kate O’Gorman and MC Lisa Bird-Wilson. Third place winner was Byrna Barclay.

In 2013, Karin was honoured to receive a Saskatoon YWCA Women of Distinction Award in the Arts and Culture category. Karin is a member of the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild. She lives with her husband, Richard, a professor emeritus at the University of Saskatchewan, and son Jim, who had a 25-year volunteer stint with the Saskatoon YMCA, and – courtesy Street Cat Rescue – elderly Ed and Gracie, who still can’t believe their good luck. Rick and Karin also have a daughter, Erin, son-in-law Michael and 16-year-old grandboy Alexander, and a son Ben, daughter-in-law Julia, granddaughters Pearl, 4, and Dahlia, 2.

https://karinschwier.wordpress.com/