Muskoka II

Sarah Robertson is the trade, scholarly, and reference editor of the
Canadian Book Review Annual.

It has been almost a decade since photographer John de Visser and writer
Judy Ross collaborated on their critically acclaimed country cottage
bestseller, Muskoka. This follow-up celebration of a region of Ontario
Ross describes as “a scenic wonderland of waterfalls, forests, rivers
and lakes” does not disappoint. Individual chapters are devoted to
such Muskoka highlights as the maple syrup festival at Deerhurst; the
Windemere House hotel on Lake Rosseau; the Wanda III, which was featured
at Gravenhurst’s 18th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show; the Lucy
Maud Montgomery Museum in Bala; and the Bracebridge Winter Carnival.

Ross shares some of her own cottage experiences, including the nuptials
of her eldest daughter in “Cottage Weddings.” Her prose is at its
most evocative when chronicling the changing of the seasons: the
chapters “Spring Awakening” and “Summer’s End” will resonate
in the hearts and minds of cottage owners.

De Visser’s color photographs are a splendid complement. His
masterful use of light, shadow, pattern, shape, texture, and color is
particularly evident in his landscape photographs. All these elements
are configured to stunning effect in “Moon River Dam, Bala” and
“Fairy Lake fishing competition.”

Cottage country enthusiasts and photography buffs will treasure this
marvelous union of image and word. Muskoka II deserves all the success
that has been accorded its predecessor.