Will spark flames of wistfulness in all of us.
The Homecoming opens up in early 1945, where we become closely acquainted with Gaudias Poulin. More than five decades of working a harsh, unforgiving land and barely chiseling out an existence has left Gaudias sick and tired, both physically and emotionally. In desperate need of a change, he decides to return to eastern Canada after all these years, although just where his home will be and what family might be there to receive him are a mystery that will take months, if not years, to unravel. Unprepared for an advancing world, Gaudias begins the long journey to find a sister he hasn’t seen in nearly a lifetime. During the lengthy train trip cooped up with strangers who are increasingly alarmed by his sickness, Gaudias spends most of his time huddled alone with only his thoughts for company. Endless reflections on his choices, including distancing himself from his brother and relentlessly chasing the siren’s call of gold, lead him to conclude that his hard-scrabble life has been less rewarding than he’d hoped. With no wife, no children, no money, and almost no extended family left, Gaudias isn’t sure he even has a purpose anymore. Rather than lining his pockets with gold, a mining life has left him only with a worsening illness and deep regrets.
Surly and ill-tempered, Gaudias Poulin manages to win over the hearts of readers with his sincerity and openness in The Homecoming: The End of a Dream. This historical character study feels more relatable than some of Derenas’s earlier examples, perhaps because Gaudias’s story is closer to recent history and most of us know people that lived in this time period. Some of the generational colloquialisms may require a dictionary, but they add unassuming authenticity to the story. In addition to these modest vocabulary lessons, readers are treated to an educational snapshot of a time that includes some curious inventions history often overlooks. Precious family photos warmly invite readers into an entangled heritage that spans several decades and numerous branches of a vibrant family tree. And even though we’ve never walked in Gaudias’s worn-out shoes, his experiences traversing the breadth of Canada will spark flames of wistfulness in all of us. With heartfelt prose and a deep connection to the characters, The Homecoming is an earnest and insightful conclusion to a richly rewarding saga, and it may just be Derenas’s finest work yet!
