Our Homesick Songs

The codfish have disappeared off the Newfoundland coast, and the residents of the isolated fishing village Big Running have gone with them. The Connor family is struggling to stay in their home as it seems like everything around them is slowly slipping away— parents Aidan and Martha alternate working at an energy plant further inland, while children Cora and Finn must adjust to life in the increasingly desolate town, worried that they, too, will soon have to move away. Drawing on folk songs, fables, and fishing life in northern Canada, author Emma Hooper weaves a stunning, stark tale of the lengths people will go to to protect their homes, and the power of family that connects across the miles.

Hooper’s diffuse, winding style works to create astounding atmospheres, conversations, and small moments depicting a family fighting for the only home they’ve ever known. Exploring everything from mermaids and Spanish sailors to accordion music and travel guide books, this book is breathtaking both in its style and its story, and it was truly a delight to read. For anyone looking for a way to pass the long, chilly winter nights, Our Homesick Songs is a tale that I wholly recommend.