Canadians from south of the 60th parallel seldom give a thought to life in the North, and when they do, they often rely on stereotypes. Fortunately, Cathy Jewison, who has lived in Yellowknife for more than 20 years, brings to life what it's really like to live "up there". The stories are full of gentle humour aimed at "southerners" (southern Canadians, that is) who go to the North with nothing but business on their minds, but quickly have to adjust to the slower pace and real conditions of northern life. Many of the stories are knee-slappingly funny, spiced with the tall-tale quality also found in the poems of Robert W. Service. But other stories, such as my personal favourite, Old Town Bait and Tackle, also go a little deeper and show psychological depth as well. A very enjoyable collection and an eye-opener for us southerners about the Canadian north.