By Kaylie Seed
Content Warning: dementia
Kayt Burgess’ latest novel Connection at Newcombe is a delightful historical fiction tale that is bound to make the reader smile. World War I has ended and soldiers from around the world are making their way home. Cal Bannatyne and Jean Guy Vachon are on their way back to Newcombe, a small community north of Sault Ste. Marie where they cannot wait to be reunited with family after serving overseas. Cal ends up befriending the man in charge of the Canadian National Railway and learns that there’s a possibility that Newcombe can get a station if they have at least two hundred residents, which they do not. But Cal lies, and says they do. Cal is determined to make his white lie true as he enlists the town of Newcombe to come together with the neighbouring reserve and find a way to bring the railroad to Newcombe.
Burgess has created some very likeable and quirky characters. Connection at Newcombe takes a look at various character perspectives in the two weeks leading up to the census bureau sending someone to count Newcombe’s population. While looking at these other characters, Burgess also weaves in the story of how Cal is going to somehow come up with the additional people needed to make Newcombe a two-hundred-person town. The story is lighthearted with some occasional flashbacks to Cal’s time in the war, but overall it’s quite enjoyable. Is it believable? Not really. Is it historically accurate? Well... no (Thunder Bay is named at one point however it wasn’t officially named Thunder Bay until 1970, decades after World War I). But it is a quick read with fun characters that are bound to keep the reader entertained.
Even though Connection at Newcombe can feel like it’s being rushed, especially during the last quarter when things are wrapping up, it is still a unique and fun story. Burgess’ prose is lovely and the story flows very smoothly. Cal and Jean Guy are pretty happy-go-lucky for two men who have just served in a gruesome war, so their characters are not overly believable. The reader may even forget that the story was taking place just after the war had ended unless a flashback was brought up. All in all, Connection at Newcombe is a fun read if you’re looking for something lighthearted to escape with for an afternoon.
Thank you Latitude 46 Publishing for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review!