A Splinter in the Heart

Praise

“Al Purdy mapped Canada poetically, and his mapping was as important as any cartographer’s. He gave us a place to live in his writing.”
–Lorna Crozier, National Post

“A fine first novel that combines the idealism of youth with the wit and wisdom of age.”
–Ottawa Citizen

“Purdy has done for Canada what Walt Whitman once did for the United States – he has made it recognizable to its inhabitants.…[He] can touch the visible world with a tenderness and visionary clarity few writers can match. …”
–Maclean’s

“He writes in a delightfully sparse, crisp style, effortlessly melding his poet’s sense of grace with the novelist’s ear for dialogue and eye for imagery.”
–NOW Magazine

“[Purdy] is an astute observer, and from his observations and experiences fashions writing in which we can recognize ourselves.”
–Prairie Fire

“A sensitive treatment of the ubiquitous coming-of-age theme, with the descriptive power of Purdy the poet lending vivid, at times beautiful, images to the narrative of Purdy the prose writer.”
–Saskatchewan StarPhoenix

“Purdy creates a number of scenes and images that carry conviction and power.”
–Books in Canada

“A touching, semi-autobiographical coming-of-age novel.…At times it is brilliant.…”
–Alberta Report

“We should be grateful for this book. It is a solid addition to Canadian literature.…”
–Brantford Expositor

“This is a sensual and poetic novel that has all the verve and humour of Purdy’s verse combined with some splendid story-telling.”
–East Toronto Weekly

“[Purdy] creates vivid images in a crisp and clear style.…Once I began reading it [I] found it difficult to put down.…Highly recommended.”
–Fredericton Daily Gleaner