The author mixes two stories: the first, the largest by volume as the unfortunate fate of Hyacinthe Bellerose, who will do anything to try to fit in an environment that was not easy for the French and for conciler opponents without success. After many adventures and actions of any kind, it will eventually exiled in Australia, after the trial of a murder he did not commit. Hulks like ours in Cayenne, the British condemned a person "for the term de son natural life."
I was here a parte if you read English, buy the book of Marcus Clarke, entitled "His natural life", you'll know what life was a banned in Australia in the nineteenth century.
The 2nd story embedded in the first paragraphs in small, happening in 1935 and we see Bruno, descended from Hyacinthe to the 5th generation, who were asked to return to his home from a site; he knows why (his father is going to die).
Hyacinthe had carved a duck in the wood, Bruno recover this animal symbol of their family, the death of his father.
Roman easy and pleasant to read, without political pretensions, with amiable or detestable characters.
I'll order volume II, for this first part of the trilogy was very interested.
A good historical novel to recommend to those who know nothing about Canada or who simply want to enjoy reading.
