Absolutely loved reading this story of life centering around a radio station in Yellowknife in the 1970s. Especially interesting because we had just happened to watch the movie CBQM about the radio station in Fort McPherson, NWT!

Elizabeth brings Canada's north to life with real people and descriptions of the climate and terrain. I could almost relive my years in Northern Manitoba with her story.

Beautiful vivid landscape description. A rolling story interspersed with some historical discoveries of the North.

I read this in Aug 2015 for the Chinook Library System Summer Reading Challenge. I used it for the 'book that won the Giller Prize' category. I enjoyed it, even though I was speed reading at the time! (I didn't win the prize (a kobo) though. Oh well, I like real books better anyway!)

An alright book which brings back memories of Yellowknife. However, did not find it a compelling read

Elizabeth Hay has a way of drawing you into Canadian experiences in very interesting ways.The details are intriguing.I actually read this recently for the second time after reading her "Alone in the Classroom".
Canadian authors and Canadian settings are my favorites.

Hay explores the relationships, psychologies, and motivations of a group of lost souls working at a small CBC radio station in 1975 Yellowknife.The North, itself, rises to character-status as rich imagery immerses the reader in an isolated setting that reflects the yearnings of its inhabitants. While the novel is replete with bright and witty dialogue, the reader is ever-conscious of Hay’s omniscient point of view and frequent foreshadowing, which communicate a tone of resignation, melancholy, and foreboding; the threat of a proposed gas pipeline through Native land also contributes to a sense of tension. Hungering for life-altering experiences, the friends embark on a canoe trip that takes them into the Arctic wilderness, where they learn that fate may be as unforgiving as the land. This 2007 Giller Prize winner is an artfully crafted, insightful, and quotable work about love and self-discovery.

I read Canadian authors and really like her detailed and unusual characters in Canadian settings; also read " Alone in the Classroom".

Been up North? If not, this is a good book telling how it was with the original explorers(insights from their diaries), as well as, the cast of Harry, Gwen, and Dido - love triangle in the 70s but not what you think. All are outsiders that have come to get away from something, though searching for themselves in the harsh climate, but beautiful landscape can be deceiving. The major political/social problem is the building of a new pipeline in the North and the problems it will bring to the different communities that surround the area and lack of regard of the local people and their heritage. Certain parts are written beautifully, while other parts seems truncated. Interesting read.

Life of people working at a small radio station in Yellowknife NWT in 1975. Deals with the Pipe Line Inquiry. Various nuggets on life.