I HEARD THE OWL CALL MY NAME.

I HEARD THE OWL CALL MY NAME by MARGARET CRAVEN.

Mark Brian, a young Anglican priest who has not long to live, is sent to the Indian village of Kingcome in the wilds of British Columbia.

While sharing the hunting and fishing, the festivals and funerals, the joys and sorrows of a once-proud tribe, Mark learns enough of life to be ready to die.

On a cold winter evening when he hears the owl call his name, Mark understands what is to come . . .

An outstanding and much-acclaimed first novel. The author’s perception, wisdom and insight give her unique story the quality of a legend or fable.
- Back Cover Blurb

The doctor said to the bishop, 'So you see, my lord, your young ordinand can live no more than three years and doesn't know it. Will you tell him, and what will you do with him?'

- First Sentence, Part One; Yes, My Lord - No, My Lord

In the night the village suddenly exploded into sond, and Mark put on his slippers, threw a robe over his pyjamas and dashed out to collide with a huge dark shape. He made two complete circles of the vicarage.

The next morning Chief Eddie stopped him on the path.

'I don't the Bishop would want you chasing bears around the vicarage in your pyjamas.'

'But I wasn't. You have it all wrong. The bear was chasing me.'

- Memorable Moment

SOURCE ... Borrowed from a friends, thanks Pat.

READ FOR A CHALLENGE? ... No.

MY THOUGHTS ... Set in a community in which the elders see their way of life rapidly disappearing; in which the young are turning their backs on the traditional ways, I Heard The Owl Call My Name (according to their legends, sure sign your death is imminent) is the story of a young Anglican priest sent to a remote Native community in British Columbia.

Incredibly moving; its prose at once spare and lyrical; its characters strong enough to hold the interest; its plot short; simple and refreshingly without twists and turns or convoluted sub-plots.

I had wondered that this might be a story of a white man sent to 'civilise them there heathens' who, though nominally Christians, still observed the old ways, but, with 'lessons' (both practical as well as spiritual) learnt by both parties; by both the Reverend Mark Brian and the Indians he is sent to minister to, its one of the most life affirming books I've read in a long while.