The Wake

The Wake tells the story of a 1929 tsunami that struck Newfoundland's Burin Peninsula, destroying communities and claiming 28 lives. MacIntyre reconstructs the disaster and its aftermath through historical records and survivor accounts, documenting how the isolated region coped with the catastrophe. The book expands beyond the tsunami to explore the area's complex relationship with the sea, including the region's mining operations and maritime economy. MacIntyre connects this natural disaster to other events in Newfoundland's history, including the collapse of the cod fishery decades later. The narrative moves between past and present, incorporating MacIntyre's own family history and personal connections to the region. He tracks the long-term effects on survivors, their descendants, and the transformed communities. The Wake examines how natural and man-made disasters shape cultural identity and collective memory. Through careful investigation of this lesser-known Canadian tragedy, MacIntyre reveals broader truths about human resilience and environmental vulnerability.

Readers found this account of the 1929 Newfoundland tsunami compelling but emotionally heavy. The blend of natural disaster, family drama, and historical detail resonated with many who appreciated MacIntyre's connection of past events to present-day consequences. Positives: - Strong sense of place and Newfoundland culture - Detailed research and historical accuracy - Complex moral questions around religious influence - Effective parallel storytelling between time periods Negatives: - Slow pacing, especially in early chapters - Too many characters to track - Some found the religious elements overdone - Several readers noted the narrative structure was confusing Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (150+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (40+ ratings) "The historical details transport you completely" - Goodreads reviewer "Takes patience to get through but worth it" - Amazon reviewer "Could have been shorter without losing impact" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🌊 The devastating 1929 Newfoundland tsunami was the worst natural disaster in Canadian history, claiming 28 lives and leaving hundreds homeless. 📚 Author Linden MacIntyre grew up in Port Hastings, Nova Scotia, and won the prestigious Scotiabank Giller Prize in 2009 for his novel "The Bishop's Man." 🏭 The underwater earthquake that triggered the tsunami was likely caused by a massive underwater landslide near the Grand Banks, which was potentially triggered by mining activities on the continental slope. 🗞️ The book weaves together three interconnected disasters: the 1929 tsunami, the collapse of Newfoundland's cod fishing industry, and the destruction of ocean floor ecosystems. 🎤 MacIntyre conducted extensive interviews with tsunami survivors and their descendants over several years to capture the oral history of the event before it was lost to time.