Sarah Canary: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:KJF-SarahCanary-Plume.jpg|thumb|right|125px|Cover]] | |||
[[Image:KJF-SarahCanaryPB.jpg|thumb|right|125px|Cover]] | |||
[[Image:KJF-SarahCanary-polish.jpg|thumb|right|125px|Cover of Polish edition]] | |||
'''Sarah Canary''' is a 1991 novel by [[Karen Joy Fowler]]. | |||
==Synopsis== | ==Synopsis== | ||
Karen Joy Fowler's impressive first novel, set in the late 1800s, begins when an unidentified woman, dressed in black, appears suddenly in a section of forest cleared by Chinese railway workers in the Pacific Northwest. She speaks no intelligible language, and the workers decide to return her to the "white world," specifically a mental institution in the village of Steilacoom. The story follows this woman, called Sarah Canary because of her bird-like language, through the Pacific Northwest, merging historical facts, humor, and fantastic fiction. Fowler seamlessly switches the point-of-view between those who follow her, including Chin, the railroad worker who first encounters Sarah; BJ, a fellow escapee from the mental institution; Harold, the man who captures Sarah and takes her on tour as the "Alaskan Wild Woman"; and Adelaide, a scandalous lecturer addressing the sexual needs and rights of women. These characters tell Sarah's story from their positions as misfits in 19th century society; it becomes less a story about the enigma that is Sarah Canary, and more an examination of the attitudes of society, historically and today. (CLW) | Karen Joy Fowler's impressive first novel, set in the late 1800s, begins when an unidentified woman, dressed in black, appears suddenly in a section of forest cleared by Chinese railway workers in the Pacific Northwest. She speaks no intelligible language, and the workers decide to return her to the "white world," specifically a mental institution in the village of Steilacoom. The story follows this woman, called Sarah Canary because of her bird-like language, through the Pacific Northwest, merging historical facts, humor, and fantastic fiction. Fowler seamlessly switches the point-of-view between those who follow her, including Chin, the railroad worker who first encounters Sarah; BJ, a fellow escapee from the mental institution; Harold, the man who captures Sarah and takes her on tour as the "Alaskan Wild Woman"; and Adelaide, a scandalous lecturer addressing the sexual needs and rights of women. These characters tell Sarah's story from their positions as misfits in 19th century society; it becomes less a story about the enigma that is Sarah Canary, and more an examination of the attitudes of society, historically and today. (CLW) | ||
==See also== | |||
Other richly detailed historical novels that juxtapose a true history with the possibility of mythical creatures include: | |||
* ''[[The Moon and the Sun]]'' by [[Vonda McIntyre]] | |||
* ''[[Wild Life]]'' by [[Molly Gloss]] | |||
* ''[[God's Fires]]'' by [[Patricia Anthony]] | |||
==Special mentions== | |||
[[Gwyneth Jones]] selected this novel for her [http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2003/dec/08/top10s.science.fiction.women Top Ten Science Fiction by Women] list in 2003. | |||
[[category:Karen Joy Fowler]] | |||
[[Category:Novels]] | [[Category:Novels]] | ||
[[Category:1991 publications]] | [[Category:1991 publications]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:59, 14 January 2011
Sarah Canary is a 1991 novel by Karen Joy Fowler.
Synopsis
Karen Joy Fowler's impressive first novel, set in the late 1800s, begins when an unidentified woman, dressed in black, appears suddenly in a section of forest cleared by Chinese railway workers in the Pacific Northwest. She speaks no intelligible language, and the workers decide to return her to the "white world," specifically a mental institution in the village of Steilacoom. The story follows this woman, called Sarah Canary because of her bird-like language, through the Pacific Northwest, merging historical facts, humor, and fantastic fiction. Fowler seamlessly switches the point-of-view between those who follow her, including Chin, the railroad worker who first encounters Sarah; BJ, a fellow escapee from the mental institution; Harold, the man who captures Sarah and takes her on tour as the "Alaskan Wild Woman"; and Adelaide, a scandalous lecturer addressing the sexual needs and rights of women. These characters tell Sarah's story from their positions as misfits in 19th century society; it becomes less a story about the enigma that is Sarah Canary, and more an examination of the attitudes of society, historically and today. (CLW)
See also
Other richly detailed historical novels that juxtapose a true history with the possibility of mythical creatures include:
Special mentions
Gwyneth Jones selected this novel for her Top Ten Science Fiction by Women list in 2003.