What Is Left the Daughter (2010) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 4 stars

“Set in Nova Scotia, the novel tells the story of Wyatt Hillyer, in the form of an extended letter to his daughter, whom he has never met. The story begins with his parents' suicides - both leap from bridges, and were in love with the same woman. This dark theme of unhappy love and death continues throughout the story, but despite that is not all gloom. I enjoyed the writing, and found myself reluctant to put down the book. Perhaps a message here is that war makes more than entire countries go a little crazy; the madness extends to individuals as well.”

• Rated 0 stars

“This is a good one...don't want it to end. I can't say enough positive things about this story that was wonderful on every single page. Will be reading more Howard Norman soon.”

• Rated 4 stars

“This is one of those books that stays with you days after you finish reading it. It's the story of a love affair as told through a letter from a father to his daughter. I really enjoyed this book. ”

• Rated 3 stars

“German U-boats sink a Canadian ship near Nova Scotia which sets in motion a horrible family tragedy. Quick read, well-written.”

• Rated 4 stars

“I always tend to use the word "interesting" to describe books I've just read, which I do realize is a broad word for a description. However, that's the best word. The story has historic WW2 context, but is not really about the war. It's really a long letter, of sorts, from a father to his estranged daughter detailing the story of his life and the situations that made them live lives apart. So many strange circumstances and events. The book ended with a lot more that could have been included. But that's OK...it was good. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“Very solid new book by Howard Norman. If you are not familiar with this Canadian author, it is about time that you discovered him. Wonderfully evocative piece about l940's Nova Scotia. Loved it.”

• Rated 3 stars

“The narrator, Wyatt is sending a letter to his 21 year old daughter whom he has not seen or spoken to since 1948. Through a tragedy, he is oprphaned and sent to live with his aunt an uncle who have an adopted daughter, Tide with whom he falls in love. She is not as taken with him however. He develops a strong bond with his aunt and uncle and a lifelong friendship with the town's sharp tongued baker, Tilda meets and hastily marries a German student- not a good idea in Nova Scotia in 1942. There is wry humor and beautiful descriptive language in this book.”

• Rated 2 stars

“There was nothing wrong with this epistolary from a father to his estranged daughter, about life in small town Nova Scotia in WWII and the reasons for the estrangement. It's well written, tackles some serious topics with some depth, and the characters are well developed and believable. It just wasn't very interesting and in the end, I found the storyline and the characters dull.”

• Rated 3 stars

“3 1/2 stars - Written as a letter to his estranged daughter on her 21st birthday, it’s a confession that speaks of the mysteries of human character during wartime. Slow-moving but stirring.”