Michael Crummey - Sweetland

The boy disappeared in the crowd and Sweetland carried on in his wake, past the light tower to the cliffs of the Fever Rocks where he lined along the headland beside the others. A press of silent figures with their faces turned to the open sea. They seemed resigned and expectant standing there, their eyes on the fathomless black of the ocean. Sweetland anonymous among that congregation.

He felt of a sudden like singing.

AS ALWAYS, I’m grateful for the company of Martha Kanya-Forstner.

Thanks to MKF and to Katie Adams for the conversations that helped shape the novel. And to Holly Hogan, Stan Dragland, Martha Webb and Shawn Oakey for commenting at various stages.

For stories and details that I’ve worked to my own purposes, I’m indebted to Art Crummey, Mazie Crummey, John and Mary Fitzgerald, Paul Dean, Dave Paddon, Helen Crummey, Mark Ferguson, Mrs. Abbie Whiffen (née Ellis), Justin Simms, Beth Follett, Gerry Squires, Sean McCann and Annette Clarke. A number of settings and incidents were suggested by Carl Sharpe’s Memories in the Life of a Twillingate Man , Harold Paddon’s Green Woods and Blue Waters , and David McFarlane’s The Danger Tree .

Thanks to Holly Hogan for letting me borrow Baccalieu Island, and for wildlife intel; the Family Swan and unrelated staff at Adventure Canada; the communities of Francois, Ramea, and Western Bay.

Sara Loveless’s cow arrived via Miguel Invierno. Paul Dean quaffed the kerosene. HH delivered the tuxedo dog. Jeff Anderson loaned the oversized coat. The buffalo are compliments of JR Smallwood and a Martin Connelly article in the Spring 2012 issue of The Newfoundland Quarterly . The community of boat engines was lifted (along with countless other details) from Arctic Twilight by Leonard Budgell.

Thanks to Martha Webb, Anne McDermid et al @ McDermid & Associates. To Julie Barer @ Barer Literary. To Kristin Cochrane, Scott Sellers, Martha Leonard and company @ Doubleday Canada.

I’m grateful for the Canada Council for the Arts in general. And in particular for a Council grant that came at a crucial point in the writing of this novel.

Thanks to Arielle, Robin and Ben for bearing with me.

And to Holly Ann, for everything else.