Novel set in Ontario

1st August 2022

Stargazer by Laurie Petrou, novel set in Ontario.

“I knew from the moment I conceived of Stargazer that I wanted it to take place at a remote university in Ontario’s cottage country. I was inspired by The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Virgin Suicides, and The Secret History – all books that made place a sly and unavoidable side character.” (Read more about the author’s #TalkingLocationWith… piece on this link).

Two young women attend the same arts based college and this is the story of their friendship as it grows and changes. Diana and Aurelle are both from wealthy families: Diana has had a tricky childhood, managing the persecutory nature of her brother Keith; Aurelle has a famous mother and fame is not really a blessing in her life. They live in a cottage (which is actually a mansion) and attend their art courses.

The story goes back and forth in time to add depth to their blossoming and quite intense friendship, which at time feels enmeshed. There comes a point when Diana, who has a hard nosed edge, will have to consider sacrificing the friendship for success in her career. Given the subtle exploration of their friendship, the poignancy, loss and connection, this path would be a real negation of all that has gone before, a wipe out of joint experience and learning. Yet, this happens with many friendships.

The novel is highly textured and immersive and the reader is drawn in to share the girls’ move into adulthood. The setting adds a very special element to the narrative as the girls use a canoe to get to college and the verdant and oftentimes harsh nature of the setting envelops the figures as they negotiate their lives. The era, too – the mid 1990s – is gently evocative, setting their experiences in context.

An eye catching cover, too!

Tina for the TripFiction Team

A reminder: HERE the author talks about her inspiration for setting

Catch the author on Twitter

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