The View From Castle Rock, the titular story in the collection, traces the immigration of a Scottish family leaving Castle Rock for a better life in the new world. I’ve read that Alice Munro used her family history to write the book. I’m not sure how much is true in this story but what resonated with is that even though our family immigrant experiences were vastly different there are still some things that are shared.
In the story the family embarks on a sea voyage and at one point early on the passengers are alerted to the fact they will now have the last view of Scotland. Some people will stand by the rail to catch a quick glimpse and some will linger on until the last bit fades. The father, Old James, tells his daughter-in-law that she should go say farewell to her native land for she will not see it again.
Something similar happened to me every time we’d go visit our family in Mexico. On our drive back across the border my dad would always point out that we were coming up to the middle point on the bridge. There’s a marker at that mid point, and I would always look out the back window as we crossed the middle point on the bridge. In my mind I was saying good-bye to my family and Mexico. Funny enough now as an adult I think it’s still part of me because every time I go back and forth I always look out for that marker.
But back to the story, to me it just felt very real. I liked how I felt that I got to know each of the members in the story and had an idea about their individual dreams of the new world. And, I felt very satisfied when I finished this story. There are times when I’ve read short stories and feel like the ending is abrupt or just up in the air. Here, the author goes so far as to tell us what happened next after the voyage. I really liked that.
I read this story for A Curious Singularity and also as one of the six short stories I’m planning to read for the Short Story Challenge. This was my first introduction to Alice Munro but I will definitely go back to her writing. I want to see what else I’ve missed.
It sounds like a remarkable story. I loved it when my first contact with an author is such a personal and rewarding experience.
Ohh, I just saw that the story is available online! I’m going to read it.
Sounds like a wonderful read, Iliana. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed reading it. I’ve never read anything by Alice Munro so I’ll have to look out for this one. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Sounds like such a lovely story and thanks so much for sharing your experience….
This does sound like a wonderful story, Iliana, and I liked the personal memory you shared as well. I can relate as well. Have a great week!
Nymeth – I know, it’s great to find the story online – now I need to get the whole book 🙂
Melody – I’d always been a bit “afraid” of Munro for some reason. Now it’s great to realize that there is so much left to be discovered!
Christine – I bet you would enjoy this one girl.
Literary Feline – Don’t you just love it when a story does that… makes you think of your own experience, etc. Hope you are having a great week too!
I really wish I had joined the short story challenge. It sounds like so much fun and short stories are my favorite.
I’m really enjoying it too, iliana! I think Munroe writes beautifully, and I loved the moment when Nova Scotia came into sight.
Is this the first story in the book? I’ve read the first story, but this doesn’t sound like it, which makes me think I have a terrible memory! I’d like to read that whole collection. I also like stories that feel complete when you read them.
Thanks for the review. I need to read her works also.
aka Nik – There’s still time you know 🙂
litlove – Oh good! I can’t wait to read your thoughts on that. That was probably my favorite part too.
Danielle – No, I believe it’s the second or third. I tried to read the first one and wasn’t enjoying it too much (probably just wasn’t in the mood) so I went ahead and skipped to View. I had to return the book but I do have another of her books somewhere in my shelves so I look forward to it.
Isabel – Oh yes, you should. I want to hear what you think.
The short sounds romantic and also nostalgic. I always peek out of the window when the plane takes off and ascends over the lights of the city…leaning on the window until the city lights peter away.
The immigrant experience is always magical for me to consider~my ancestors came from so many different countries to end up here in America, that I’m always fascinated to read different perspectivs on the experience, putting my far away great-great- grandparents into different scenarios the author creates.
I really enjoyed this story as well, because it wasn’t a rosy picture or even a particularly happy family. It was very real, as you said, but postive and uplifting.
Matt – Oh sometimes it’s so wonderful to see the city lights as the plane is landing isn’t it. And, you get to go on a trip soon – I’m jealous 🙂
ravenous reader – Me too. I think those are stories that should serve to bring us together you know. Oh and I really marveled at the idea of the ship voyage. That must have taken a lot of courage.