Missing

Missing follows the story of Luc Caron, a World War I veteran who has returned to small-town Canada to work as a mechanic in the 1930s. When he meets and falls in love with Élisa Duranceau, a teacher from a nearby town, he begins to confront his suppressed memories of the war. Luc's relationship with Élisa develops against the backdrop of rural Quebec life, where both French and English communities coexist. The slow pace of their courtship parallels Luc's gradual willingness to face his traumatic past experiences at Vimy Ridge and other WWI battlefields. Through the intertwining of past and present, the novel explores how war affects both individuals and communities long after the fighting ends. The themes of memory, healing, and the power of human connection emerge through the characters' experiences with loss and their search for belonging.

Readers find this a slow-paced, character-driven exploration of grief and loss. The book maintains a heavy, somber tone throughout. Readers appreciate: - Rich descriptions of small-town Ontario life - Authentic portrayal of dealing with uncertainty - Effective parallel storylines between past and present - Historical details about WWI nursing Common criticisms: - Too much focus on mundane daily activities - Plot moves at a glacial pace - Some characters remain underdeveloped - Resolution feels unsatisfying to many readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (50+ ratings) Several reviewers noted the prose is "beautiful but meandering." One reader commented: "Like watching paint dry - skillfully written but nothing happens." Others praised the "quiet power" of the storytelling while acknowledging it requires patience. Multiple reviews mentioned struggling to connect emotionally with the protagonist despite the weighty subject matter.

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🔍 Frances Itani based this novel on her own family history, drawing inspiration from her great-aunt's real-life experience of being separated from her young daughter during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. 🌍 The book's setting of Deseronto, Ontario was a vital shipbuilding center during WWI, producing wooden minesweepers and drifters for the British Admiralty. ⚕️ During the 1918 pandemic depicted in the book, many Canadian nurses worked up to 20-hour shifts while wearing masks made from gauze that provided little protection against the virus. 📝 Itani spent five years researching and writing "Missing," including extensive study of period newspapers, medical records, and family correspondence from the era. 🏆 Frances Itani is a Member of the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors, recognizing her contributions to Canadian literature and her work as a nurse before becoming an author.