Consider Me a Friend

Jami van Haaften is a librarian and author of An Index to Selected
Canadian Provincial Government Publications for Librarians, Teachers and
Booksellers.

Audrey Peterkin’s collection of essays looks at social and spiritual concerns affecting family life. The essays were originally published as the feature “Around the House” in Our Family, a national Catholic magazine. Mrs. Peterkin now lives in her hometown of Winnipeg.

Audrey Peterkin and Margaret Shaw co-authored Mrs. Doctor, a book about the wives of early Manitoba doctors, which won two historical awards. Audrey Peterkin also writes frequently for the Prairie Messenger, writes book reviews regularly in the Catholic Women’s League magazine and has published articles and interviews in the national press in Canada and the United States.

The book covers six topics, including community life, the author’s family life, reflections on family life, on death, and on the future, as well as the role of women in the church. The essays, written over a period of 30 years, constitute a thoughtful, sincere, and often humourous volume.

The essays on community life, dated from 1953 to 1977, depict seasonal occasions such as Christmas, Hallowe’en and community fairs. Involvement in community activities through the church illustrates the central role of the church in the social life of rural communities.

Thoughts on family life are short, light-hearted tales relating to motherhood, child-rearing, and family relations. Here, as in other sections of the book, the author looks at memorable events in her life in terms of the love and comfort given and received.

The role of women in the Catholic Church is discussed in a progressive manner. Theological concerns relating to marriage, birth control, sexuality, and morality are examined.

Aptly titled, this compact book is the first publication of Braemar Books Ltd. Perhaps more of the author’s essays will be forthcoming.