The Bone House

Steven Greenhalgh is an historian and librarian at the University of
Alberta.

Luanne Armstrong’s latest novel is set in a futuristic British
Columbia that has been devastated by the effects of global warming
(parts of downtown Vancouver are flooded). The main characters are
18-year-old Lia, who leaves a deteriorating Vancouver for her childhood
home in the B.C. interior, and Matt, a young man who is disillusioned
with the strange, new world taking shape around him. Early in the novel,
Matt meets Star, a friend of Lia’s who is seeking the legendary yet
elusive Kind Place. After Star mysteriously disappears, Matt resolves to
build a house made of bones as a monument to her. Lia and Matt find
solace among the inhabitants of a quiet farming commune in the
Kootenays. But the commune is threatened by greedy corporations, and its
members must decide whether or not to fight for their way of life.

Armstrong’s portrayal of the future is bleak, yet all too believable.
Her novel features a rich narrative, poignant social commentary, and
engaging, well-rounded characters. All in all, a thrilling read.