Spring 1938. After nearly two years in prison for the crime of stealing his own grain, Ukrainian immigrant Teodor Mykolayenko is a free man. While he was gone, his wife, Maria; their five children; and his sister, Anna, struggled to survive on the harsh northern Canadian prairie, but now Teodor—a man who has overcome drought, starvation, and Stalin’s purges—is determined to make a better life for them. As he tirelessly clears the untamed land, Teodor begins to heal himself and his children. But the family’s hopes and newfound happiness are short-lived. Anna’s rogue husband, the arrogant and scheming Stefan, unexpectedly returns, stirring up rancor and discord that will end in violence and tragedy.
Under This Unbroken Sky
is a mesmerizing tale of love and greed, pride and desperation, that will resonate long after the last page is turned. Shandi Mitchell has woven an unbearably suspenseful story, written in a language of luminous beauty and clarity. Rich with fiery conflict and culminating in a gut-wrenching climax, this is an unforgettably powerful novel from a passionate new voice in contemporary literature.
This book is…wonderful, tragic, joyous, disturbing. It made me smile, cry and want to scream in anger. I fell in love with certain characters and despised others. It has been a while since a book has sparked so many emotions. Ms. Mitchell’s writing is so vivid, stark, truthful, beautiful and painful. I could hear the wind, smell the grasses during the spring and summer and feel the quilts the children slept under during the harsh winters. Each character in this book came alive in my mind. They are written with such simple complexity and realism that I wanted to reach out and hug the children and strangle the sister. I felt like a voyeur peeking through windows and hiding behind rocks in order to watch the daily interactions of this family. There are a few instances of violence that caused a cringe but are integral to the story of this family’s love and the wonder and tragedy that befall them over a year on the Canadian prairie. I do not want to summarize this book. I could not do it justice. When someone asks “Do you know of a good book?”, this one will be at the top of my list.
Following are some photographs gathered by the author while researching this amazing novel.
The author, Shandi Mitchell:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyvV6eBkhq0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]
Oh, and this is also my pick for Booking Through Thursday.
Twitter: nataliew2
06. Aug, 2009 at 9:22 pm #
Oh i read this too! I absolutely loved it. Great review. Did you read this for the Barnes & Noble book club?
I’m reading this for B and N too
it’s a good book.
pssst… I don’t like Stefan…
This one sounds terrific.
Twitter: nataliew2
07. Aug, 2009 at 12:44 pm #
I am and i also can’t stand Stefan!! I want to punch him LOL!
Yes I did. Now I am finding I have to go back an rescan it to keep up with posting. Are you part of B&N also?
He is horrible!!!!!