Childhood
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
National Bestseller Winner of the Chapters/Books in Canada First Novel Award and the Trillium Award, and shortlisted for The Giller Prize and the Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, Childhood is renowned and critically acclaimed author Andr Alexis' stunning first novel. Originally published in 1998, Childhood introduced many readers to the virtuosic talents of Andr Alexis, one of Canada's most cherished writers and supreme stylists.
Uniquely imagined and vividly evoked, Andr Alexis' prize-winning novel chronicles the childhood--or perhaps the loss of childhood--of Thomas MacMillan, who sets out to piece together the early years of his life. Raised in a Southern Ontario town in the '50s and '60s, Thomas is abandoned to the care of his eccentric Trinidadian grandmother. Then, at ten, his mother reclaims him, taking him to the once-splendid Victorian home of a gentle conjurer whose love of science and the imagination becomes an important legacy.
But is he Thomas' father? Moving and wryly humorous, Childhood tells the story of a man's quest for what is lost, bringing him closer to the truth about himself.
Uniquely imagined and vividly evoked, Andr Alexis' prize-winning novel chronicles the childhood--or perhaps the loss of childhood--of Thomas MacMillan, who sets out to piece together the early years of his life. Raised in a Southern Ontario town in the '50s and '60s, Thomas is abandoned to the care of his eccentric Trinidadian grandmother. Then, at ten, his mother reclaims him, taking him to the once-splendid Victorian home of a gentle conjurer whose love of science and the imagination becomes an important legacy.
But is he Thomas' father? Moving and wryly humorous, Childhood tells the story of a man's quest for what is lost, bringing him closer to the truth about himself.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0771006675
ISBN13:9780771006678
Release Date:January 2000
Publisher:Emblem Editions
Length:280 Pages
Weight:0.62 lbs.
Dimensions:0.7" x 5.3" x 8.3"
Customer Reviews
3 ratings
Sparse and poignant
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Childhood by Andre Alexis McClelland & Stewart Inc. 1998The story follows the life of Thomas MacMillan from early childhood until the death of his mother, Katerina, and Henry Wing, one of his mother's lovers. The main characters are superbly drawn while Thomas remains for us only a wispy image generated by his thoughts. The love of Henry for Katerina is constant, undemanding and rises above the everyday demands of mere mortals. Katerina, on the other hand moves by her own light and one is never sure if she is capable of loving and one wonders too what has caused this strange disconnectedness.There are wryly funny sections and clear bright narrative bits that draw the reader in. At the end one realizes that the story is touchingly sentimental while being questioningly honest. I liked the book but had a strange unsatisfied feeling when I was finished. I wanted to know more of Henry, Katerina and Thomas.
Adelightful first novel that weaves the past a present toget
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
I found this a very clever book , that weaves the past and present together . The remmbrance of an unusual childhood and how we come to perceive the world through many experienes, is revealed through snpshots of his life. I loved the use of poetry and almost magical quality the writer imparts to his rembering his childhood as an older person.
The narrative exists, but subtley.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
Alexis presents a well crafted novel that meanders between the past and the present, the truth and illusion. His use of the French language, poetry and allusion is skilled, though at times intimidating. Overall, the honesty and maturity of the novel made for a very delightful, if too short, read.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
