Late Nights On Air, Elizabeth Hay's Giller-wining novel made me
want to do three things: start listening to radio again in a
meaningful way, re-read The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert
Service, and plan a trip to the Canadian North. Such is the impact
of Hay's storytelling.
Late Nights introduces us to a compelling cast of characters all of
whom find themselves working for the local radio station in
Yellowknife - not so gripping a storyline you might think, but that
would be incorrect. In Hay's hands, this is more than enough to
weave a story rich in human emotion - love, lust, friendship,
betrayal, loss and resignation.
Among the group: Dido, an enigmatic and seductive young woman who
has come to Yellowknife to get as far away as possible from an
affair with her father-in-law; Harry, the hard-drinking veteran of
the business whose romantic side is barely concealed by a cynical
surface; Gwen, the station newbie who is struggling to find her
voice both literally and figuratively; Eddy the station techie with
big visions and abusive tendencies; Eleanor, the stable and true
friend with love to give; and Ralph, the station's freelance book
reviewer.
As their friendships and romantic entanglements evolve, we are
drawn into their lives, both past and present, and inexorably feel
like a part of the group. Their intimate relationships play against
the famed Berger Commission which looked movingly at what the
proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline would do to the inhabitants of
Yellowknife and in particular the Native population. The larger
backdrop to the story is the land.vast, uncompromising in its
beauty, and rich in history.
Well into the story, four of the group take an arduous canoe trip
following the route of Englishman John Hornby, however a member of
the group is lost during the trip and the remaining friends are
forever changed.
Late Nights on Air is what true fiction lovers wait for - a story
rich with characters who remain with you long after the book is
done.