Frederick Niven (1878–1944)

I was somewhat disappointed in this book, as I had really enjoyed Niven's novel, Wild Honey, which reads much like non-fiction. The author's memories of Scotland were mystifying in general as I have little knowledge of that country. I nearly gave up after reading a few chapters, but the work took on more interest as Niven started delving into specific subjects and geographical locations. I enjoyed his recollections of reading Deadwood Dick, describing a garden in the Yukon, a vacation in show more Honolulu and other sundry topics. The book is uneven but it does have charm occasionally. show less

I bought this book on the recommendation of Charles Lillard, in that it was one of the three best novels set in British Columbia that were published before the 1960s. As the author Frederick Niven states in the first chapter, it is an autobiographical account rather than a novel. He travels, circa 1899, with two hoboes Hank and Slim, who he first meets at a rock quarry near Savona, British Columbia. They travel illicitly by train to North Bend, across from Boston Bar, and other locales they show more travel to, by train or on foot, include Lytton, Vernon, Enderby, and Midway. Hank and Slim have fully realized characters, and only go in for a bit of stealing now and then. They are creative opportunists of their travels. A most enjoyable novel which I didn't want to see the end.

As a coda, characters named Slim and Hank are mentioned in Howard O'Hagan's 1939 novel, Tay John. While not described, they are workers in the community of Lucerne, located in the Yellowhead region, just after 1912. A fitting homage to Niven. show less