Max Braithwaite (1911–1995)

This is the first in a trilogy of autobiographical books about life growing up on the Canadian prairies. Mainly full of humourous incidents, there are some serious topics too. The Halloween story of planning to explode a WW I grenade in the Chinese restaurant with the owner asleep upstairs gives a view of the racism that could raise its ugly head in the 1920's. The fact that the incident ended up backfiring on the perpetrators in a humourous way didn't reduce the ugliness of the plan.

The show more volume is full of details about life in small town Western Canada in the period 1910 to 1930 such as the education system, children's adventures, influence of the church, and harvesting the wheat crop. show less

This was winner of Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour in 1972. In it Braithwaite describes how he comes to Wannego, Saskatchewan in the fall of 1935 to take on the position of vice-principal at the local school. What follows is a collection of incidents involving the many characters who inhabit the town. Many of the stories are funny but there also some involving child abuse and even one case that brings incest into the mix.

The town and indeed the province are all being beaten down by the show more Depression and the drought. No one has money but the residents come up with ways to make life livable by organizing dramatic performances and parties. Frequently the teacher asked to lead the committee.

On a personal level, Braithwaite marries at the beginning of the book and we are told of the struggle of a young couple trying to find affordable accommodation on a meager teacher's salary during the Depression in the Dust Bowl.

This volume is the final installment in an autobiographical trilogy which also includes the titles, Never Sleep Three in a Bed and Why Shoot the Teacher. show less

Easy read, fun in a time of great sorrow! Even something your kids might like for school, my 12 year old loved it !

The inspiration for Kevin Sullivan's television show "Wind at My Back." A cute memoir full of poignant and funny anecdotes.