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A Place Called Winter
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
57 posts | 34 read | 48 to read
A privileged elder son, and stammeringly shy, Harry Cane has followed convention at every step. Even the beginnings of an illicit, dangerous affair do little to shake the foundations of his muted existence - until the shock of discovery and the threat of arrest cost him everything. Forced to abandon his wife and child, Harry signs up for emigration to the newly colonised Canadian prairies. Remote and unforgiving, his allotted homestead in a place called Winter is a world away from the golden suburbs of turn-of-the-century Edwardian England. And yet it is here, isolated in a seemingly harsh landscape, under the threat of war, madness and an evil man of undeniable magnetism that the fight for survival will reveal in Harry an inner strength and capacity for love beyond anything he has ever known before. In this exquisite journey of self-discovery, loosely based on a real life family mystery, Patrick Gale has created an epic, intimate human drama, both brutal and breathtaking. It is a novel of secrets, sexuality and, ultimately, of great love.
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review
Bookwormjillk
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this novel about Harry- a man who had to flee to Canada in the years before WWI just because of who he was. The author‘s note at the end revealed Harry was actually a distant relative of his, and he got the idea for this novel after reading a family member‘s memoirs.

DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 13mo
Cuilin Expect to finish this weekend!! Great read! 13mo
Bookwormjillk @Cuilin I‘m so glad you told me about it 13mo
Cuilin The review of this book by Gale looks good too 13mo
61 likes5 comments
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Bookwormjillk
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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At a soccer tournament this weekend. Introverting and reading in my car between games.

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Cuilin
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Reading about this writer for a different book I discovered this other novel of his and realized it would work for October‘s #BookedInTime @dabbe

Bookwormjillk That looks good and my library has it. 1y
dabbe Got it on the spreadsheet! 🤩 1y
Cuilin @dabbe thank you 🙏 1y
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Cuilin @Bookwormjillk Yay, I ordered it from ThriftBooks. 1y
julieclair I was thinking of reading this one, too! 1y
Cuilin @julieclair @Bookwormjillk maybe a few of us could read this together?? 1y
julieclair @Cuilin @Bookwormjillk That would be fun! Although now I think I may read The Building of Jalna instead. I just can't make up my mind. If y'all decide to do a buddy read, that might help me decide. 1y
Bookwormjillk @julieclair @Cuilin what did you have in mind? I have to give my copy back to the library early in the month. 1y
Cuilin @Bookwormjillk @julieclair read at your own pace discuss at the end of the month? 1y
julieclair That sounds good to me! @Cuilin @Bookwormjillk 1y
julieclair @Cuilin @Bookwormjillk This will be fun! 1y
Bookwormjillk @Cuilin @julieclair I read the first 10% tonight and I love it so far. 14mo
julieclair Ooo yay! Can‘t wait to start it! 14mo
Cuilin @Bookwormjillk @julieclair I started it!! The first two pages had me nervous but I‘m into it now!! 14mo
Bookwormjillk @Cuilin Yes, same! 14mo
47 likes16 comments
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rmaclean4
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Pickpick

Such an enjoyable read! Straightforward Historical Novel set in Canada in the run up to WWI. A love story between two men on the plains of Canada. Moving. 3 🌟

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Jeg
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Pickpick

This is different to the other books I‘ve read in that he has based the book on stories his grandmother had told him about his great grandfather who had emigrated to Canada. One page talks about the 1918 pandemic. No vaccines but they took care by wearing masks, avoiding crowds and washing hands. I enjoyed the story very much. @MrsMalaprop my favourite ending. 😊

MrsMalaprop Love Patrick Gale. Haven‘t read this one. 2y
18 likes1 comment
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Jas16
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Pickpick

Harry Cane is a shy, unindustrious, but ultimately decent man living in England with his wife‘s family. When his secret affair with another man is discovered he is cast aside by his family and sets off to start a new life in Canada as a homesteader. I liked the Harry he was in England but I grew to love the Harry he became in Canada as he grew stronger, learned to farm, and opened himself up to the first real relationships in his life.

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Penny_LiteraryHoarders
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Mehso-so

This was my second Gale novel and I have a 3rd on my shelf. This one was lovely and all, but I seem to be unable to fully connect with his writing the way others do.

MsMelissa I plan of reading this for the Read Canada challenge. I hope I have a more positive experience. 4y
Penny_LiteraryHoarders It's good, don't get me wrong, there is just something that I don't connect with fully with Gale. 4y
23 likes2 comments
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Cathythoughts
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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I received this lovely book in the post today ! Really looking forward to reading this one. Trish ? Is this from you my lovely friend ? X

TrishB Hurrah 😀 yes it is - happy belated birthday!! I‘ve caught up on March now 😘😘 I really enjoyed this one 🤞🏻 you do. 4y
Cathythoughts @Trish Thanks so much ! I really appreciate it & look forward to it 😘 4y
MsMelissa This one will work for the #ReadCanada challenge 😊 4y
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Cathythoughts @Book_Fiend_Melissa Ok ! I‘m looking it up & he is British, and this book is loosely based on his great grandfather who lived in Canada ... so the author maybe only needs a Canadian connection 😬sorry , I‘m a stickler for getting it right .... 4y
Cathythoughts @TrishB Thanks Trish too , because it looks like you set me up with a book for Saskatchewan, for the #ReadCanada challenge ❤️ 4y
MsMelissa You don‘t need to worry about the author being Canadian or not (although very few non-Canadian authors will write about Canada 😂), just that the book is set here 😊 4y
MsMelissa Oh, and it‘s very likely I also use this book for challenge since I have it sitting on a shelf and I‘m at a loss for Saskatchewan books 😉 4y
Cathythoughts @Book_Fiend_Melissa Thanks! I hope I don‘t drive you mad with my questions 😘 4y
MsMelissa Never! Ask away 😊 4y
TrishB Came just at the right moment ❤️ 4y
JennyM Oh this is a beautiful read. Hope you enjoy 😘 4y
Cathythoughts @JennyM Thanks Jenny! That‘s good to hear. 👍🏻❤️ 4y
59 likes12 comments
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rachaich
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Pickpick

Brill.
The writing and the plot have kept me up at night so I can keep reading.
I'm going to read more by Gale :)

TrishB This is my fave . But I like all I‘ve read so far. 5y
11 likes1 comment
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rachaich
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Absolutely hooked on this.
Love the setting, the writing, the characters.
I'm barely able to put it down ☺☺📖📖

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rachaich
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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I picked this up from a front garden on my daily walk.
They had boxes of books to take... I limited myself to 2!!!😊🤩
I've not read any by Gale so taking the plunge!!!

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JennyM
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Tucked up in bed on my wild Friday night with this gorgeous book. I‘m trying to read it slowly so I can savour it. I think @TrishB put it on my radar, and I could hug you for it. Lovely read 🧡

TrishB I loved Harry ❤️ a heart aching read! 5y
Cathythoughts He‘s very good. - I think I have this book on kindle ! I‘ve only read one so far & it was brilliant too 5y
JennyM @TrishB @cathyreads I don‘t want it to end! I will definitely be reading more by him. Thank you for recommending him 😘 5y
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Susannah
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Pickpick

It took me a long time to read this book. The subject matter is not light, and its heaviness led me to put it down for a while. But it was so good. I don‘t read many stories set in Canada, let alone ones that imagine the world of early 20th Century prairie life (albeit for white settlers), but I really recommend this. The main character experiences very difficult circumstances but his increasing inner strength makes it totally worthwhile. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TrishB I loved this one 👍🏻 5y
28 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Blueberry
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Three books I enjoyed set in #Canada and written by Canadian authors.

#LetsTravelJuly @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Cinfhen And I think they are #IndigenousAuthor(s) 5y
Blueberry Patrick Gale of A Place Called Winter is not. Apparantly he is British so I messed that up also. Lol. I didn't realize indigenous peoples of Canada would not also be referred to as Canadians. Sorry. 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Blueberry no worries my friend!! 😘 5y
54 likes3 comments
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Libby1
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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“‘When a woman dares to accuse a man of... assaulting her person, she is nearly always disgraced by the process. While the man walks free to attack again.‘

‘But why?‘

She laughed bitterly. ‘Oh, so many reasons. Not the least of which that the law is a blind woman and the judge usually an unloved old man...‘”

TrishB Wonderful writing! 6y
Libby1 @TrishB - this is a beautiful book. Have you read it? I hope to post a review soon. 6y
TrishB Loved it ❤️ 6y
Libby1 So glad, @TrishB . It had been on my TBR for ages and I had high hopes. My hopes were not disappointed. 6y
64 likes4 comments
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Nuwanda
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Top 6 reads for the year!

Cinfhen Two of these are on my #2019TBR 6y
Reviewsbylola Loved Calypso! 6y
25 likes2 comments
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TrishB
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Pickpick

Ahhh, my heart is aching for Harry! What a brilliant read....sad, but life affirming eventually and so beautifully written. I guess I‘ve found another author.....

Nebklvr Will check into this author.... 6y
Hollie Stacked! 6y
Cathythoughts Loved Notes From An Exhibition ( your recommendation 👍🏻) will def read this one too. 6y
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TrishB @Cathythoughts that will likely be my next one 👍🏻 6y
Cathythoughts Just got this one ... really looking forward to it. 👍🏻 6y
Libby1 I just finished it and loved it. Oh, my heart. 6y
TrishB @Libby1 it‘s wonderful isn‘t it ❤️ 6y
128 likes5 stack adds7 comments
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TrishB
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Beautiful writing and an intriguing story so far.

Cathythoughts Sooo good ! Stacked 6y
RohitSawant Niice! 6y
104 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Book_Gnome
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Pickpick

I didn't see Gale‘s writing as lyrical or beautiful. If you happen to read this review, Mr Gale, no offense meant! I promise! However, I found Harry Cale beautiful. I could hear the silence of his solitude. My ears were deafened by it. I believe Harry will haunt me for a very long time. I so much want to sit beside him. I want him to know how much I admire his strength and his sense of honor. I want him to know that he is not alone.

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rmaclean4
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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My fist Book Oulet order has arrived!

JoScho I am anxiously awaiting mine! 7y
rmaclean4 It was so fun getting a bunch if books all at once! I can see how this could become an issue very quickly!! 7y
17 likes2 comments
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Olivia306
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Pickpick

I was fascinated by Harry's tale and evolution from a sheltered gentleman in England to a tough new settler in Canada. There's something fascinating about the way Gale uses a restraint style to tell a story, which many must have lived. Themes such as class, education, mental health, and especially sexuality are approached and though the last part seems a bit abrupt, it still is a great read and I really enjoyed it.

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ChloeTallis
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Starting this one today! Review for Never Let Me Go coming up when I have the energy!

JillR I loved this! 7y
51 likes1 comment
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Blueberry
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Tamra
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Mehso-so

A tad melodramatic, though I did appreciate the social & personal struggles of the main character in a historical context. It actually read like two stories, before & after England. I would have liked more linkage between the two, though I suppose that was the point. His family chose none. 😑

shawnmooney I perhaps enjoyed it a little bit more than you did, but I basically agree with your review. :-) 7y
15 likes1 comment
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Tamra
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Up next.

You can see I don't fight the battle about the cat about being on the table. He also watches me cook on the counter. None of us have died from infectious disease or hairballs ..........yet. 😜

Tanzy13 🐱 7y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Builds up your immune system 👍 7y
Tamra @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled perfect! I figure it's all the dog & cat hair we wear, inhale, eat that keeps us strong. 7y
12 likes3 comments
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Moray_Reads
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Pickpick

Beautifully restrained and understated there's a tender undercurrent to Gale's writing that is so affecting. Harry's story, and the story of so many gay men like (and unlike) him, is heartbreaking. He's a good man and a wonderful character deftly developed by Gale's sure hand and he grows in strength despite all the choices and hardships forced on him. This was my first by Patrick Gale but I will definitely be seeking more

Libby1 This one is currently in Mount TBR! 7y
andrew61 I was lucky enough to see him talk about this book a couple of years ago and he accompanied the talk with a slideshow about his family as much of the story draws on his family history- bizarrely I've not read it yet but my wife loved it. He was an engaging speaker and wonderful writer. 7y
andrew61 Ps id recommend 'notes from an exhibition' 7y
Moray_Reads @andrew61 funny you should mention that because I have it on my shelves! 7y
Lindy I've been wanting to read this. My first (of several) by Gale was 7y
42 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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Moray_Reads
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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That's one I've never heard before.

Kristy_K What does that even mean?? 7y
DeborahSmall In Glasgow I've heard 'a bag of spanners' or others that are worse 😂 7y
Moray_Reads @DeborahSmall "bag of spanners" is used in Yorkshire too but I've never heard "bag of knives"! 7y
TrishB Bag of spanners in Liverpool too! 7y
mjdowens 😂😂😂😂. Perfectly fitting description of a coworker. 7y
43 likes5 comments
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Tamra
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Book mail! Yes, I adore prairies and front range. If a book cover has either on it, I'm intrigued.

GabrielleDubois If you adore prairies you should like Mistress Mine's new cover! 😃 8y
17 likes2 comments
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JillR
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Pickpick

Heartbreaking.

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JillR
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Blueberry
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Not my usual collection of genre's. This was helped along by the #chutesandladderschallenge at #thereadersroom.

@NataliePatalie

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Blueberry
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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This was sooo good. Some sad, some happy. Wow.... just finished it. Still processing.
@NataliePatalie #Canada

slhbooks I would pick this up for the cover alone📚📚📚 One GR reviewer rated it 'not enough stars in the world'. Enough said. To the TBR it goes. 8y
14 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Blueberry
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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What I'm reading vs. where I would like to be in my reading. I wouldn't mind the cold book if it wasn't so cold outside (I know it's not as cold tho as most of your places).
@NataliePatalie #TheReadersRoom
#coscaawards #chutesandladderschallenge
#dreamingofawarmerclimate #readJanuary

NataliePatalie It has felt really cold lately :( 8y
13 likes1 comment
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Book_Gnome
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Pickpick

The story itself is wonderful. It's interesting. No, I'm not going to tell you what the novel is all about...you should know by now that's not how I do reviews! What I will tell you is that, no matter how wonderful and interesting the story is/was...Harry Cale, the main character, is even more interesting and wonderful...

I'm telling you...he is going to haunt me for a very long time...

shawnmooney Glad you enjoyed it - I did too! 8y
21 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Book_Gnome
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Opening line:
"The attendants came for him as a pair, as always."
#Dumbledwarf #bookgnome #openingline #patrickgale #aplacecalledwinter

26 likes1 stack add
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shawnmooney
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Pickpick

Despite its offensively vague cover blurb, this novel is in fact about a gay Englishman who homesteads in Saskatchewan in the early 1900s. Just a couple hours from the farm I grew up on, in fact. The British part is overly corseted by novel-of-manners conventions, but the man's Canadian odyssey hooked me: the danger he faced and the love he found rang true. A solid, engaging, well-written novel, one which hit home for me in more ways than one.

ReadingEnvy AND I bet there are not so many novels set in Saskatchewan. I've been collecting books for the year I read Canada. (Who knows when that will be?) 8y
Miznanner I have enjoyed Patrick Gale's novels in the past but they are hard to find-- I will look for this one! 8y
See All 6 Comments
shawnmooney @ReadingEnvy There's quite a thriving literary scene in Saskatchewan. Quite regional in terms of fame and influence, though, with the possible exception of one of my favorite writers, Sinclair Ross. 8y
ReadingEnvy @shawnmooney Ooh never heard of him, making a note! 8y
Hobbinol Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for passing the baton! 8y
41 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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shawnmooney
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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shawnmooney
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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shawnmooney
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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I grew up near Saskatoon. It's not much of an exaggeration.

LeahBergen Or between Medicine Hat and Regina. SNORE. 8y
shawnmooney @LeahBergen Huh? Are you a fellow stubblejumper? :-) 8y
LeahBergen Well, maybe a "foothiller". Calgary born but the parents and numerous aunts and uncles lived in Manitoba. I did that prairie run a LOT. 8y
shawnmooney @LeahBergen Well, ain't that wonderful! 8y
tpixie Lol. Sounds like a Kansas drive. 8y
33 likes5 comments
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shawnmooney
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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LeahBergen Clever great-grandfather 😏 8y
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shawnmooney
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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shawnmooney
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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The plot thickens!

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shawnmooney
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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shawnmooney
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Hear hear!

lisakoby 😂 8y
LeahBergen Oooo, that tension. 😬 8y
shawnmooney @LeahBergen Lol. Are you poo-pooing his and my musical-induced anxieties? 8y
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LeahBergen Nope. I have the same anxieties! 😂 8y
shawnmooney @LeahBergen Relatedly, one of my favorite lines (I doubt it's my own creation) is "Sure, I love opera. Except for the singing." :) 8y
LeahBergen Haha!! 👍🏼👍🏼 8y
28 likes6 comments
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shawnmooney
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale

Hear hear!

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shawnmooney
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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Hobbinol 🙂 I 'be just got to get this book!!! 8y
shawnmooney @Hobbinol Great! I just started in on it on audio (read by the author) yesterday and so far am really enjoying it! 8y
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shawnmooney
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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shawnmooney
A Place Called Winter | Patrick Gale
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