Sarah Canary

Cover

Cover

Cover of Polish edition

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:

• 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 Top Ten Science Fiction by Women list in 2003.