In this story by Alice Munro, an unreliable narrator purports to describe the adult life of a woman whose family moved to the wilds of Canada West (modern day Ontario) in 1854. Alone in the world following the death of her father, she publishes a book of poems and initially lives an ordered, contented life. One morning a traumatic discovery introduces her to the dark side of humanity and drives her into isolation and madness. Themes include gender roles in the 19th century Canadian West, art and the artist, alienation, loneliness, gossip, violence.
Original Text / PDF / Audio (8,450 words)