The True North Talks
The perilous truth of Quebec’s past haunts John D Kingston’s fictionalized rendering of Canada’s
current political and cultural landscape, where dark pages of the country’s history are brought to the forefront of modern consciousness.
Rousing and relevant, The True North Talks is tinged with danger and urgency from its very first lines, serving as a warning against isolationist views whilst inviting readers to imagine a bolder, brighter, more united country. At the centre of the drive for change is Alex Archer, whose new position as Prime Minister
exposes him to a malignant conspiracy—one determined to keep Quebec entrenched firmly in its past, and Canada divided. As a smooth-talking former movie star, Archer is Kingston’s
mouthpiece for stirring dialogue that reaches through the page, impressing upon the reader the importance of unity amidst uncertainty.
The toxic ideals of an underground organization, Fraternité de la Liberté, are contrasted with Archer’s optimism and the team of trusted associates he builds around him, bonds which are strengthened by their shared vision and hope for a unified Canada. One of the novel’s compelling centrepieces is Rebecca Smythe, whose association with a whistle-blower puts her in the path of a brutish Sûreté agent, as well as one of Archer’s confidantes, Gordon Morrow. Through Rebecca and Gordon’s evolving connection, Kingston allows for snatches of intimacy, highlighting the effects of political violence on the innocent, whilst creating pockets of tenderness as respite from a country on the razor’s edge.
Another of the novel’s strengths lies in its narrative style: as vibrant and inclusive as the Canada that Archer and his comrades seek to cultivate, the shifting perspectives allow for a breadth of opinions and experiences that tactfully reflect reality. Kingston keeps the stakes high without sacrificing realism; conferences and collusion are interspersed with nail-biting action sequences—including assassination attempts and acts of domestic terrorism—which serve as
deadly reminders of the human cost of division.
Ultimately, Kingston proves with a deft and confident narrative that, though the past informs the present, it does not have to define the future. This is an essential read for those drawn to
politically-charged fiction grounded in historical context—and for anyone concerned with today’s fractious political climate. A bold and pertinent tale of immense intrigue, infused with a hopeful effervescence, The True North Talks immerses the reader in a world on the brink of disarray, whilst inviting them to dream of a better one.