Ravines and Reality

Paul Quarrington’s writing is all about narrative voice. Yes, he develops setting, character and thematic idea in each of his books (he has written over a dozen, including King Leary, which won the Stephen Leacock Medal in 1988 and the 2008 Canada Reads competition). But Quarrington’s unique contribution — the element that gives him that mysterious shimmer of “importance” — is narrative voice. The Ravine is no exception.

In this, his tenth novel, Quarrington tells the story of Phil McQuigge, a television producer whose life is in turmoil. His wife has kicked him out of the house, his brother won’t speak to him, his drinking starts to stink of alcoholism and his work has completely dried up after an incident involving the on-set, accidental death of his star actor Edward Milligan. And yet, as McQuigge sits in a bar, talking with his buddies and looking longingly at the pretty young waitress, he remains supremely sympathetic. He is...