Now Available
A New Release Of Hugh Cook’s
Award-Winning Novel
Heron River
Heron River is a deeply moving exploration of human error and redemption, tragedy and triumph, set in the supposed safety of a small Ontario town. The novel poignantly confronts the necessary possibilities for human forgiveness and love amidst adversity.
The threads of the characters’ lives are intricately interwoven.
Madeline Harbottle, a woman with a gradually debilitating illness, seeks solace from the pain of the past and the challenges of the present.
Her son Adam, damaged from a tragic childhood accident, finds security in his routine existence, until he falls prey to a cunning deception.
Jacob Cunningham, a gifted thirteen-year-old boy, harbours a dark secret that he must confront in order to be whole.
A young female police officer named Tara Burnaby tries to solve a puzzling string of break-ins following the murder of an elderly woman, and the previously staid small town reacts anxiously to the fact of a killer in their midst.
Heron River probes the fierce bonds of family, the tragic consequences of human failure, and the persistent reverberations of history and memory.
Here’s what the critics have said:
Heron River is one of the most enthralling and captivating stories I’ve read all year and I highly recommend it. ~Hearts and Minds Books
“A meticulously-constructed novel. Read this multilayered book twice. Maybe even a third time. I will.” ~Christian Courier
“An extremely well-embroidered and taut novel of pain, memory, and the possibilities for redemption.” ~Hamilton Spectator
"I had the good fortune of reading Heron River. There isn't a false note in it." ~Montreal Gazette
“As lovely a novel as I have read in a long time." ~Books and Culture
“This is an excellent novel—a terrifying yet beautiful creation.” ~Comment magazine
The threads of the characters’ lives are intricately interwoven.
Madeline Harbottle, a woman with a gradually debilitating illness, seeks solace from the pain of the past and the challenges of the present.
Her son Adam, damaged from a tragic childhood accident, finds security in his routine existence, until he falls prey to a cunning deception.
Jacob Cunningham, a gifted thirteen-year-old boy, harbours a dark secret that he must confront in order to be whole.
A young female police officer named Tara Burnaby tries to solve a puzzling string of break-ins following the murder of an elderly woman, and the previously staid small town reacts anxiously to the fact of a killer in their midst.
Heron River probes the fierce bonds of family, the tragic consequences of human failure, and the persistent reverberations of history and memory.
Here’s what the critics have said:
Heron River is one of the most enthralling and captivating stories I’ve read all year and I highly recommend it. ~Hearts and Minds Books
“A meticulously-constructed novel. Read this multilayered book twice. Maybe even a third time. I will.” ~Christian Courier
“An extremely well-embroidered and taut novel of pain, memory, and the possibilities for redemption.” ~Hamilton Spectator
"I had the good fortune of reading Heron River. There isn't a false note in it." ~Montreal Gazette
“As lovely a novel as I have read in a long time." ~Books and Culture
“This is an excellent novel—a terrifying yet beautiful creation.” ~Comment magazine
About HughHugh Cook was born in The Hague, The Netherlands, and immigrated to Canada with his family in 1950.
Hugh earned an M.A. from Simon Fraser University and an M.F.A. from the Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa. His first publications consisted of poems in Canadian literary journals such as Quarry, Canadian Poetry, The Canadian Forum, Folio, and The University of Windsor Review. His stories have appeared in literary journals such as The Malahat Review, NeWest ReView, Wascana Review, Descant, Fiddlehead, and The Antigonish Review. His first book, Cracked Wheat and Other Stories, appeared in 1985. Hugh’s second book, a novel titled The Homecoming Man, came out in 1989. It has appeared in a Dutch translation under the title Een Man Komt Thuis (Mozaiëk, 2007). Hugh’s third book, a book of linked stories titled Home In Alfalfa, appeared in 1998. It was awarded first prize in the City of Hamilton Book Awards in the fiction category, and The Word Guild named it co-winner of first prize in the fiction category for books published in 1998. Home In Alfalfa has been adapted for stage, and the play had its premiere as the mainstage production in November, 2007 in Redeemer University’s 2007-2008 season. Theatre companies interested in staging the play should contact Hugh Cook at the email address below. Hugh's fourth book, a novel titled Heron River, was first released in December 2011. It has appeared in a Dutch translation under the title De tuin van Adam (Mozaiëk, 2015). The Word Guild named Heron River first prize winner in the Contemporary Novel category in 2012. In 1997 The Word Guild of Canada awarded Hugh the Leslie K. Tarr Award. Hugh is emeritus professor of English at Redeemer University. Hugh Cook can be contacted at hughcook212@gmail.com |
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I'm a writer myself, so I understand the writing process from the inside. I’m frequently asked to offer workshops on various aspects of fiction writing at writers’ conferences. I’ve worked with young writers and older writers, beginning writers and experienced writers, fiction writers and non-fiction writers.
I'm a writer myself, so I understand the writing process from the inside. I’m frequently asked to offer workshops on various aspects of fiction writing at writers’ conferences. I’ve worked with young writers and older writers, beginning writers and experienced writers, fiction writers and non-fiction writers.
