The Age of Longing

The Age of Longing follows Howard Wheeler as he returns to his childhood home in Northern Ontario after his mother's death to handle the sale of the family property. The narrative centers on Howard's memories of his parents: his father Ross 'Buddy' Wheeler, a failed hockey player, and his mother Grace, a schoolteacher who regrets her marriage. Howard's childhood unfolds against the backdrop of his parents' deteriorating relationship, with his loyalties divided but ultimately aligned with his mother after their separation. Years pass before Howard encounters his estranged father by chance, forcing both men to confront their shared past and lost opportunities for connection. Through this intimate family portrait, Wright explores themes of regret, the weight of personal choices, and the lasting impact of familial bonds on identity. The novel examines how time and distance can both heal and deepen emotional wounds.

Readers describe this novel as a quiet, contemplative look at aging and memory in small-town Ontario. Multiple reviews note the careful attention to period details and realistic portrayals of Depression-era life. Readers liked: - The realistic dialogue between characters - The nostalgic but unsentimental tone - The straightforward writing style - The authentic portrayal of rural Canadian life Common criticisms: - Slow pacing, especially in the first third - Too many peripheral characters to track - Some found the ending unsatisfying Review Stats: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (128 ratings) Amazon.ca: 4.1/5 (16 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Captures the feeling of looking back on youth without romanticizing it" - Goodreads reviewer "The characters feel like real people you'd meet in a small town" - Amazon review "Sometimes meandering but ultimately rewarding" - LibraryThing review

The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence An elderly woman in rural Canada confronts mortality while reflecting on her past choices and complex family relationships.

Fall On Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald A multi-generational family saga set in Nova Scotia explores secrets, identity, and the consequences of past decisions.

Unless by Carol Shields A writer grapples with her daughter's withdrawal from society while examining the roles of women across generations.

Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden Two Cree soldiers return from World War I to Northern Ontario, carrying the weight of their experiences and cultural heritage.

Late Nights on Air by Elizabeth Hay Characters at a small radio station in Yellowknife navigate relationships and personal histories against the backdrop of Canada's north.

🔹 Richard B. Wright received one of Canada's highest civilian honors, the Order of Canada, in 2007 for his contributions to literature. 🔹 The novel's setting in Northern Ontario draws from Wright's own experiences growing up in Midland, Ontario, where he developed his keen eye for small-town Canadian life. 🔹 Before achieving literary success, Wright worked as a copywriter and in public relations, writing his early novels during lunch breaks and late at night. 🔹 'The Age of Longing' explores themes of hockey culture in Canada, reflecting the sport's deep influence on Canadian identity and small-town life in the mid-20th century. 🔹 Wright's breakthrough came later in his career at age 63 with "Clara Callan" (2001), which won both the Giller Prize and Governor General's Award - a rare double achievement in Canadian literature.