Marion May Hand

In Search of Self Marion May Hand

Dating from the 1980s into the 1940s, this novel covers a time that is rich in United States history. The focus of this novel is on the French Canadians migration from Quebec into northern United States in search of a better way of life. The main thread follows the family of the narrator, Silvie Marie Audette. She is a young girl who feels a loss of identity due to the circumstances in which she lives. She and her mother reside in a community that abuts the lumber camp where her father was a lumberjack. However, he died from an accident during Silvies infancy. Because he had built a log cabin on lumber mill property, Silvie and her mother are entitled to remain there even after his death. Silvie believes that she is stuck in a place where she doesnt belong. In Search of Self touches all emotions. Silvie and her boy cousin, who also lives in the complex, pack their teen years with adventure. There are comical moments, events both heroic and tragic, and surprise elements to capture the readers interests. Silvie Marie Audette is faced with a problem of identity. She struggles to the end for a satisfactory solution to her dilemma.