In geology an erratic is a ""boulder or rock formation transported some distance from its original source, as by a glacier."" In award-winning novelist Mark Frutkin's case, his movement from his native Cleveland. Ohio, was instigated by his wish to protest and resist the U.S. military draft during the Vietnam War, and his destination was Canada.
An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 American Vietnam War draft resisters sought sanctuary in Canada. Many of these men stayed, became Canadian citizens, and have made significant contributions to the country, including writers such as William Gibson, George Fetherling, Keith Maillard, and Jay Scott; musicians Jesse Winchester and Jim Byrnes; children's performer Eric Nagler; and radio personality Andy Barrie.
Although this first nonfiction work by Mark Frutkin looks back at the circumstances and culture of the late 1960s and early 1970s that prompted the author to relocate to Canada, Erratic Northis about many other things. It's also a lyrical meditation about ""returning to nature"" in the bush country of Quebec and an account of the crucible that forged one writer. Tying everything together, though, is the overarching theme of the book: a contemplation of humanity's embrace of war and violence and the countervailing impulse to resist that embrace, specifically as seen in the experience of Frutkin himself; his grandfather Simon, who escaped Tsarist Russia and its military in the 1890s; and Louis Drouin, the Quebec farmer Frutkin bought his original farm from and who resisted conscription in World War II.
By:
Mark Frutkin
Imprint: Dundurn Group Ltd
Country of Publication: Canada
Dimensions:
Height: 228mm,
Width: 152mm,
Spine: 10mm
Weight: 382g
ISBN: 9781550027860
ISBN 10: 1550027867
Pages: 238
Publication Date: 24 November 2008
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Prologue: A Road Trip, A Road Trip!: Manhattan, 2007; Go For Broke: Bracknell, England 2005; Put Up Your Dukes & Write!: New York City, 1940s; Ragged & Ecstatic Joy: Denver, 1940s; A Plank Where All the Angels Dove Off: San Francisco, 1940s-1960s; Rough and Hard and Extreme: Mexico, 1950s-1960s; Not Akin to Lustful Thoughts: Europe and Africa, 1950s-1960s; The Perfect Ecstasy: Lowell, 1920s to Present; Golden Ash, Blissful Emptiness: New England, 1890s-1960s; It Was Pure, in My Heart: New Jersey and New York, 1920s-1990s; Canada Was My Bosom of God: Quebec, 1950s-1960s and Early Years; Down into the Darks: Southern United States, 1940s-1960s; Everything is Ecstasy: Central United States, 1940s-1990s; Epilogue -- Five Million of Stars: Quebec and Toronto; Index.
Mark Frutkin is the author of seven works of fiction, including Fabrizio's Return, which won the Trillium Award in 2007. Earlier, his novel Atmospheres Apollinaire was shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award, the Trillium, and the Ottawa Book Award. He has also published three volumes of poetry. Frutkin lives in Ottawa.
Reviews for Erratic North: A Vietnam Draft Resister's Life in the Canadian Bush
""The style here is simple, light, and elegant, with a sense of humour and modesty...His (Frutkin's) book is a quirky, enjoyable read."" - Quill and Quire, July/August 2008 ""It's a heart-felt book, mainly examining the mindset of 1970s peace-loving idealists ... a thought provoking read."" - Ottawa Citizen, September 14, 2008 ""Frutkin's memoir is a beautiful book, one about the search for peace that has marked many of our years."" -- The Sun Times, 2009 The style here is simple, light, and elegant, with a sense of humour and modestyHis (Frutkins) book is a quirky, enjoyable read. - Quill and Quire, July/August 2008
