Leaving TomorrowI seem to be on a reading binge of Canadian authors. This and the next two books I read were by Canadian authors. David Bergen is a new author to me. I found the book in our local library and although he has several other books, this was the one that caught my attention. You must admit, the title is rather intriguing in its ambiguity.
Bergen is an interesting writer. The writing is crisp, clean, and straightforward, yet unexpectedly he will use a word in such a way that you are searching for it in dictionary.com. I like that. Usually, if a word used by an author causes you pause in its newness, you can use clues, context or otherwise to determine the meaning or the near meaning. Bergen doesn't do that. He throws the word out there, singular, isolated--staring at you in your ignorance.
It suits the story however, as the main character, Arthur has read expansively acquiring a huge vocabulary and aspires to be a writer.
The book is a family story set in the tiny town of Tomorrow, Alberta. Arthur, the avid reader, has outgrown the small town and yearns to live in Paris. Part of Arthur's problem, besides being unlikable, is that his extensive reading and expansive vocabulary has set him apart and isolates him in his town. Or so he thinks, since he feels intellectually superior to others and has learned nothing of human nature from his reading. Arthur does make it to Paris, only to discover that he is isolated and incompatible there as well, partly because of language (again) but also because he is so self absorbed (again). There are other more enjoyable characters in the story who have interesting interactions with Arthur. Bergen draws the story to its conclusion nicely with Arthur remaining incredibly intelligent, yet unable to understand the simplest of things without those to whom he feels superior explaining them.
I will read other books by Bergen because I like his style, but I hope that their protagonists are more likable and less self absorbed than Arthur.
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