Reviews for The Imperialist

The average rating for The Imperialist based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2015-09-17 00:00:00 Kevin Joyce An intelligent and insightful snapshot of provincial Canada as it entered the 20th century, torn between striking out alone in the world or strengthening imperial ties with the mother country. Lorne Murchison is the first-generation son of a respectable immigrant family, convinced that preferential trade with Britain is the way forward, willing to put his reputation on the line to convince the people of his upwardly mobile Ontario county likewise. Not only this, he believes that Canada needs to take the initiative in directing the British government that this is the case - "Doesn't there come a time in the history of all families," Lorne replied, "when the old folks look to the sons and daughters to keep them in touch with the times?" But everyone else in the town has their own views about Canada, where the country is and where it's going, such as his bookish sister Advena: "we're on the straight road as a nation, in most respects; we haven't any picturesque old prescribed lanes to travel." She begins a tentative relationship with a newly arrived Scottish minister, which subtly mirrors the public story. Lorne falls in love with Dora Milburn, whose conservative family are polar opposite of the liberal Murchisons politically. I have no idea why Duncan is a largely forgotten writer today, or why this deftly ironical novel has been rated so poorly on Goodreads. This is the second book I have read by her recently and I have liked them both a lot. Admittedly it's a little short on conventional drama, on truly memorable scenes, and doesn't really draw any clearly defined conclusions, but she writes so well it's just a pleasure to read.

Review # 2 was written on 2017-01-17 00:00:00 Diana F Orhun The tone of this book is like L.M. Montgomery's writing voice, only with jarring throwaway racist and ableist comments on the part of both characters and narrator. The rest is bad politics with some amusing social commentary that doesn't achieve enough distance from its subject to really work for me as satire. You're not always quite sure if you're supposed to agree with what's going on. The main character, Lorne Murchison, isn't nearly as interesting as his sister Advena, whose story is given less page time though it's much more riveting. I found it difficult to care about yet another white guy who's totally blind to his privilege. I'd be happy to be friends with Advena. I'd be bored to talk to Lorne. Duncan's writing style is excellent, despite the problems one finds as a 21st-century reader. She has a wonderful vocabulary and a gift for wry phrasing and funny similes.