Smoke over Grande Pre

M. Bernice Standen was a freelance writer in Peterborough, Ontario.

The co-authors of this book, Audrey Marsh, retired teacher and parent, and Marion Davison, business-woman and parent, obviously share an intense interest in the history of Nova Scotia. Their work reflects a sensitive approach to a painful period in Canadian history which resulted in the tragic expulsion of the French from Acadie.

Smoke Over Grande Pré is the story of the family of habitant René Cormier, who farmed near the village of Grande Pré. The complexities of the English take-over of Nova Scotia during the eighteenth century are cleverly explored through the experiences and reflections of individual family members. Grandmére Cormier, René’s elderly mother, fears the Indians, having been orphaned at an early age in an Indian massacre, and refuses to believe that the English will alter her rural French-Catholic existence; Gerard, René’s eldest son, is involved in the politics and intrigue of Abbé Le Loutre’s rebellion against the English; Paul, younger brother to Gerard, experiences high adventure in escaping English persecution by wintering in an Indian village with his life-long friend, Swift Arrow. René himself attempts to compromise, a common approach taken by the Acadians, by farming and avoiding the oath of allegiance.

It is a beautifully conceived story. Through detailed descriptions of life in eighteenth century Nova Scotia a vivid picture emerges of the unique Acadian culture — modest homesteads, beautiful meadows and bountiful gardens, juxtaposed to the rigours of the wild — hostile natives, wild animals, and treacherous weather. The authors have touched on everything while maintaining a lively sense of adventure.

The exquisite pain of young Paul, returned too late from his exile, captures the tragedy of the Acadian expulsion. “Why, Swift Arrow, why? Just to live here by the tides, in harmony with Le Bon Dieu and man, was it too much to ask?”

This story affords young people a most enjoyable story while giving them an insight into an integral part of our heritage.