The Bay of Love and Sorrows - Couverture souple

From the two-time winner of the Governor General's Award, The Bay of Love and Sorrows is an unflinching story of ambition and betrayal.

The novel begins as the once-strong friendship between Michael Skid, the privileged young son of a judge from town, and farmhand Tommie Donnerel collapses under the weight of a bitter misunderstanding. As Michael sets out to prove something to himself and others, he becomes drawn into the company of the beautiful and determined Madonna Brassaurd and her brother, Silver. The three are soon seduced by the glamour of Everette Hutch, a charismatic but violent man, whose latest scheme appears certain to result in tragedy. Bridging the decent world of Tommie Donnerel and the darker realm of the Brassaurds and Everette Hutch is Karrie Smith. Home from college for the summer, Karrie's deep longing for a more exciting life makes her especially vulnerable to a world she does not completely understand.

"Thoroughly engrossing . . . the eloquent spareness of the prose and the speed with which events unfold is breathtaking."—The Globe and Mail

"Richards' compassion for his poorest characters' misery is infectious. Like the best of Richards' works, The Bay of Love and Sorrows is dark in tone, both harshly realistic and lyrically sympathetic to the most disadvantaged members of society."—The Globe and Mail

"In The Bay of Love and Sorrows, one of the world's finest web-spinners crafts a superb and riveting yarn guaranteed to satisfy readers craving an unforgettable fictional feast."—Toronto Star

"Richards tells his story with such heartbreaking courage that we cannot help but feel ennobled by the poise of his vision."—Edmonton Journal