The Word on the Street-Joan Barfoot September 28, 2008

You might think life in a retirement home would be a trifle boring, but in the Idyll Inn of Joan Barfoot’s latest marvellous novel, not everyone feels ready for the quiet life. But wait, maybe one resident does! Oh dear.

Seniors begin to settle into the latest retirement facility in their small city. Four of them become their own little group dedicated to small acts of pleasurable rebellion, not least the consumption of decent wines. In their pasts they’ve had a few connections, both faint and bold, with each other. Even kindly Ruth? Well, yes, and she hopes to make use of them soon, for a challenging act that needs undertaking in the, er, dead of night.

Joan Barfoot, an internationally acclaimed novelist, is among Canada’s best, most original writers. Exit Lines is her 11th novel. Her tenth, Luck, was nominated for the Scotiabank Giller prize. Her ninth, Critical Injuries, was nominated for the Man Booker prize. Joan Barfoot lives in London, Ontario.

Official Website: http://www.thewordonthestreet.ca