Exploring Memory, Finding Meaning Readers

Reviewed by Claudia Mason, Instructor

Exploring Memory, Finding Meaning is a series of four short novels, produced by the Adult Basic Education Writing Network in Newfoundland. Each novel is written by a literacy student who has a captivating story to tell. The four stories, which cover a range of reading levels, are titled: In My Father's Footsteps, Memories of a Fisherman's Daughter, No Longer Running, and Struggling With My Soul.

All of these novels have received positive reviews from our literacy students. They liked the stories because they were true and took place in Canada. Many said they found the people and places fascinating. The story lines were interesting and easy to follow. Each novel contains photographs of some of the people and places described. The readers said these photos really made the stories come alive.

Of the four books, No Longer Running was probably the most popular. It is Keith Noel's "story of hell- and coming back from it." In an honest, straightforward manner the author shares his struggles with alcohol, his feelings of inadequacy, and depression. He talks about how it felt to be so despairing that he wanted to end his life, and yet to still find within himself the courage and strength to get well. The story follows Keith as he leaves Newfoundland and travels to Alberta. There he becomes reacquainted with his mother, finds work and begins a new life. Although Keith achieves a sense of well-being and success in getting his life on track, eventually he realizes that he is still running. He discovers that he wants to go back home and get an education.

This book generated some insightful comments from students. One student said, "I learned that running from your problems gets you nowhere, but if you deal with them you will be abetter, more productive person." Another commented, "Even though I didn't like his suffering, I enjoyed the ending." It is a story that appeals to people on many levels, and it can be read with a class or by individual students.