Sarah's Children

Lori A. Dunn is an ESL teacher, instructional designer, and freelance
writer in New Westminster, B.C.

Anne Cameron’s latest novel is real, loving, and approachable, much
like its main characters. Sarah is a middle-aged widow, an avid
gardener, and the mother of two grown daughters, Chris and Rainey. As
the story opens, each woman is facing a crisis: Sarah has had a stroke,
Rainey is leaving her husband, and new government regulations are
rendering Chris’s livelihood meaningless.

In this era of novels about dysfunctional families, Sarah’s Children
stands out. Sarah and her children face their problems, whether
personal, financial, or medical, with a positive attitude. The practical
Sarah does not tolerate self-pity, and she encourages those around her
to feel the same way. The novel’s comforting colloquialisms (e.g.,
“up the road a piece”) remind us that Cameron is one of ours,
writing to the Canadian ear. It’s a pleasure to spend time in the
company of her wise and witty voice.