Book Review: Tales From a Snowbank - John Horner

By Jack Warkentin

Do you remember what it was like growing up without any of the modern conveniences we enjoy today? Add isolation, extreme cold, and polar bears to the mix and you’ve got the coming-of-age true story, Tales from a Snowbank by John Horner. With the use of vivid imagery, the author takes you on a roller coaster ride through his life in the 1950s and 60s, tumultuous as it was, in Churchill, Manitoba and Fort Churchill, the military base commonly known as ‘Camp’.

The Churchill years were few for Horner, but as he says, those years came at a critical time in his life, although he did not realize it then. The North combined with the close-knit fabric of a small community at the end of the rail line gave him and his friends a unique experience. Quoting the author, “Where else on Earth could one be guaranteed a chance meeting with a great white bear, which was hopefully not hungry; experience the wonders of the Northern Lights as they dance in an infinite wave of colours and patterns across the sky’s ballroom; and watch rockets hurl themselves at mind-bending speeds into the depth of space?” As awesome as that sounds, and as integral as those experiences were to the inhabitants, they were not the things that drew families from many parts of Canada and overseas. It was the quest for work and good paying jobs - in other words, money! For that, they would endure the hardships of living in the North in order to help build and operate the military base for Arctic testing of arms and equipment in preparation for a possible war with the Soviet Union. Interesting times!

“Tales from a Snowbank” is chock full of humour and metaphors, in an easy-to-read style. Horner has a way of turning the hardships hilarious, and you will find yourself chuckling out loud as you read through each of the interestingly-named chapters. Along with an inside look at family life and teenage adventures, Horner weaves in elements of the historical significance of the area and times.

A page-turner, indeed! Enjoy!

Find out more about the author and where to buy the book at: www.johnalanhomer.com 