Devotion Author:Howard Norman Like many of Howard Norman"s celebrated novels, Devotion begins — with an announcement that a crime has taken place. In blunt, — police-blotter language, we learn that on August 19, 1985, David Kozel — and his father-in-law engaged in "assault by mutual affray." Once again — Norman sets out to explore a great mystery: why seemingly quiet, contained
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people lose control. What could possibly enrage David enough
that he would strike at the father of his new bride? Why would
William, a gentle man who looks after an estate?and its flock of
swans?in Nova Scotia, be so angry at the man who has just married his
beloved only child, the ardent, red-haired Maggie? And what would
lead Maggie to believe, after a whirlwind romance, that David has been
unfaithful to her on their honeymoon? In his signature style?haunting
and evocative?Norman lays bare the inventive stupidities people are
capable of when wounded and confused.
At its core, Devotion is an elegantly constructed, never sentimental
examination of love: romantic love (and its flip side, hate); filial love at
its most tender; and, of course, love for the vast open spaces of Nova
Scotia, which are very much at the center of this deeply felt novel.« less
This is a lovely, quirky book. I have enjoyed all of Norman's books - especially The Museum Guard. My book group had a great time discussing the imagery around the swans.