The Colony of Unrequited Dreams

The Way We Were?

This review is from: The Colony of Unrequited Dreams (Hardcover)

8 years ago

The reviewer was a childhood resident of Bay Roberts, Newfoundland, and remembers the great electoral battles of 1948 and 1949, though he was just ten years old at the time. He remembers numerous radio broadcasts by Joey; 'My fellow Newfoundlanders...' , the huge Valdmanis disappointment, etc., etc. So he found Johnston's story gripping as a novel and a compelling reminder of days long gone. The reviewer's father, George Russell, trod the tracks in the early 1940's as an itinerant… + read more

• add a comment
• Was this helpful? yes no yes no
• report this

Genuine Newfoundland Character

This review is from: The Colony Of Unrequited Dreams (Trade Paperback)

8 months ago

This is an ambitious book that attempts to redefine all we think we know of Joey Smallwood. To take this genuine and formidable NL character and use him in such a meaty work of historical fiction was brave of Wayne Johnson to say the least. To read his quirky earlier works and then dive into "Colony" is to dive with Johnson out of his comfort level and enter a new realm of possibility in the work of fiction. Colony illustrates everything that is right about a good historical fiction. Take… + read more

• add a comment
• Was this helpful? yes no yes no
• report this

Take it from a Newfoundlander.... Read the book.

9 years ago

A brilliant, powerful story of Newfoundland history that touches on the very isolation that was outport Newfoundland at the beginning of the 20th Century as we struggled to make our way as a country. Eloquently written, with a cast of characters as unique and intriguing as the province itself. A must read for anyone, especially those with ties to Newfoundland, or those wanting to understand the inexplicable tie all Newfoundlanders have for "the Rock" we call home. For remember, "thou art a… + read more

• add a comment
• Was this helpful? yes no yes no
• report this

The Colony of Unrequited Dreams

This review is from: The Colony of Unrequited Dreams (Hardcover)

10 years ago

I don't remember the last time a book gripped me as Johnston's has. I fell into this book and could not get out... did not want to get out. Fielding's alternating chapters on "the history of Newfoundland" are a brilliant addition... I sometimes laughed out loud and wished this Fielding were a real person so I could get a hold of more of her witty writings. I warmly reccommend this book to anyone... and it is a MUST read for every Newfoundlander.

• add a comment
• Was this helpful? yes no yes no
• report this

Don't waste your time

This review is from: The Colony Of Unrequited Dreams (Trade Paperback)

3 years ago

Unless you wish to spend your valuable time reading a novel that is drier than the paper upon which it's written it's not worth it. A very depressing, long labour to read.

• add a comment
• Was this helpful? yes no yes no
• report this

The Colony of Unrequited Dreams

This review is from: The Colony of Unrequited Dreams (Hardcover)

11 years ago

A great story for everyone, unless you are a Joey Smallwood fan! Johnston's fine tale creates a fictional story around the real character of the legendary Premier of Newfoundland who brought the province into Confederation in 1949. The story follows Smallwood's humble beginning and his journey to the top of Newfoundland politics via numerous branch detours, including a stint in New York City. The love story of Smallwood and the brilliant character Fielding provides a solid thread to this… + read more

• add a comment
• Was this helpful? yes no yes no
• report this

a man trapped by his own history

This review is from: The Colony Of Unrequited Dreams (Trade Paperback)

4 years ago

In 1949 the British colony of Newfoundland and Labrador entered Confederation to become the youngest province in the Dominion of Canada. The man responsible for the political move was Joey Smallwood. Smallwood was a curious figure from the start. A man convinced of his own history and somewhat of a Canadian with a Napoleon complex. Too bad for Smallwood that the island of Newfoundland had not the resources nor he the access to build an empire. However, The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, is a… + read more

• add a comment
• Was this helpful? yes no yes no
• report this

The Colony of Unrequited Dreams

This review is from: The Colony of Unrequited Dreams (Hardcover)

11 years ago

Johnston manages to combine a fictional story, actual historical events and even a bit of romance in this entertaining look at how Joey Smallwood, Newfoundland's most famous premier, managed to fulfill his dream of fame and recognition. As the young Smallwood gets older, he leaves Newfoundland for New York, a place where he thinks he can make something of himself. After struggling there for several years, he returns home to fight his way into politics - and history. I really enjoyed this… + read more

• add a comment
• Was this helpful? yes no yes no
• report this

Colony of Unrequited Dreams

This review is from: The Colony Of Unrequited Dreams (Trade Paperback)

7 years ago

I quite liked the book. The style of writing, the story, the diary and the history book was unusual in the beginning, but as you got into the story, it made it quite fascinating. You knew you would find out different information, depending what part you were reading. I didn't know a great deal about Joey Smallwood before I read the book and it taught me a lot. + read more

• add a comment
• Was this helpful? yes no yes no
• report this

Joey Smallwood's Slow Rise

This review is from: The Colony Of Unrequited Dreams (Trade Paperback)

10 years ago

This is a really good book.

Having said that, it must also be said that two of the major components of this novel are less than successful. The central "mystery" is ultimately of little consequence and one of the two main characters around whom this intricate, fascinating novel is wound is pretty shallow and ultimately uninteresting.

However, the story of Joey Smallwood and his times and his native Newfoundland is incredibly well told. Gripping, funny, pathetic and full of… + read more

• add a comment
• Was this helpful? yes no yes no
• report this