Wild Mouse

Edward L. Edmonds is a professor of education at the University of
Prince Edward Island and honorary chief of the Mi’kmaq of Prince
Edward Island.

The Canadian National Exhibition was for many years a prominent Canadian
institution. An annual exhibition of agricultural, horticultural, craft,
and manufactured products, it continues to draw large crowds, though its
fame is probably more restricted to Toronto and surrounding areas.

The Midway is the focus of this book, which takes its title from one of
the midway rides. For many years, the Midway was run by Conklin Brothers
Circus. In addition to nostalgia-tinted photographs of the Midway dating
back to the 1930s, the book features three interconnected short stories
by Derek McCormack and five short poems by Chris Chambers. A somewhat
predictable disenchantment, even cynicism, pervades the literary
component of this book. Like so many depictions of the circus world,
Wild Mouse leaves the reader with an overall impression of gaudiness,
tawdriness, and transient illusion, coupled with a sense of the pathos
of childhood and the simplistic tastes, hopes, and curiosities that draw
people of all ages to such undeniably popular attractions.