Review: Voyageurs
Voyageurs, by Margaret Elphinstone, is a novel about an English Quaker who comes to the Canadian wilderness in the early nineteenth century to search for his missing sister. Written as an autobiographical journal, it is rich in its snapshots of a dangerous but beautiful land (when one could drink fresh water from the Great Lakes), of different cultures, and of historic events seen through the very personal perspective of Mark Greenhow. All this would seem like a travelogue, if it weren’t for the compelling characters and intriguing plot.At the center is Mark, deeply rooted spiritually in Quaker beliefs, all of which are now challenged in his new quest and by his new friends and enemies — French traders, Ojibwa entrepreneurs, New World Quakers, and his brother-in-law. I enjoyed reading of Mark’s inner and outer struggles, because they were all seen through the lens of his firm foundation in Friends’ faith and practice.
Even though we were separated fictionally by two centuries, I related to his experiences of trying to stand firm for what he believed without alienating his new friends. Mark’s dilemmas are often life-threatening but they always have a very personal note — such as his horror when he is forced to talk about the peace testimony to the Ojibwa, though his whole life he’s been very reticent to speak up. Though parts of this book are definitely of the “can’t put it down” page-turner variety, the pacing of the book reflects the pacing of his journey. Elphinstone doesn’t skip slow-paced journeys to get to the action. Sometimes this can get maddening: Starting the book with a long journey may lose some readers. And there is a period where the companions are snowbound at a crucial point that seemed to last forever. However, I recognize the authenticity of this pacing. This is how a real journey would be and we learn a great deal about Mark and others and this new land in the slower passages.
Be patient if you are looking for action — you’ll get there. One word of warning — Ephinstone’s quest for authenticity includes using English idiom of the time and many French phrases. Most of the English that was unknown to me was obvious from the context, but the French remained unfathomable. I would recommend this book for any Friend, or anyone interested in Friends, who wants to go on a fascinating journey into a new land and the human heart with a Quaker companion.
–Terry Matz