Metro Reco: October

I devoured Richard B. Wright’s new novel, October, in one lazy day by the lake in Kingston. In this gorgeous novel, retired literature professor James travels to London to see his daughter, Susan, who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. While James tries to process his daughter’s bleak prognosis, he runs into an acquaintance from his youth, Gabriel, a rich, temperamental man looking for companionship during his last days of life.

October is a taut, intelligent, beautifully written reflection on mortality and humanity. I highly recommend it.

Richard B. Wright was born in Midland, Ontario and attended Trent University in Peterborough. He has published eleven novels, including Clara Callan (2001) which won three of Canada's major literary awards in 2001: the Giller Prize; the Trillium Book Award; and the Governor General's Award. He currently lives in St. Catherines, Ontario with his wife.