Turnstone Press, 2020
By Jeffrey John Eyamie
This week, L
and I also sat down with a copy of a new book by Winnipeg author and filmmaker
Jeffrey John Eyamie called Still Me: A Golf Tragedy in 18 Parts. (More Manitoba talent! Seriously, if you're not reading Canadian authors, what are you waiting for?)
Still Me is a book about golf, but you don’t
have to be a golfer to enjoy the story. Eyamie is a master at describing some
of Canada’s most majestic golf courses. As you read, you feel as if you are transported
to the actual tee box looking out at the beautifully picturesque fairways and
greens—Eyamie’s filmmaking chops are definitely on display here in the very
cinematic quality of his writing.
The golf commentaries are clear and concise to golfers and non-golfers alike—at numerous points in the book, L said she could feel each golf stance, each muscle adjustment and flex of the wrist. There's a lot of these descriptions, which might be challenging visualization exercises for someone like me, who has never golfed before, but I found that more than anything, they made me wish I had the thumbs needed to take hold of a golf club and try them out myself!
We also
found the plot to be captivating, and a real page-turner—just when you think
the book is simply about all the golf courses his main character, James Khoury,
has ever played, the story takes a sharp dog leg and you realize the book is
not just about golf but also about his relationship with his family. Or lack of
relationship, as Khoury’s love of golf gets in the way of his love for his
family. For golf is his escape, his way of having control over something (even
if it is as small as a golf ball), his way of being alone even when he is
partnered with other golfers. Anyone who has ever golfed knows that it is a
solo sport, a mental game played between you and the ball and your control or in
some cases, lack of control over it.
Over the
course of eighteen chapters, Khoury is partnered with various characters who teach
him lessons about golf and life and the impact his obsession has had on his
relationship with his family. Without giving too much away, Eyamie weaves story
with metaphor in interesting and thought-provoking ways, and great care has
been put into the small details that eventually come to play a big part in the story
as you get further into the book. Overall, the novel conveys an earnest message
about life, love, family, and golf that will have you holding your loved ones
just a little bit tighter by the time you reach the final pages.
L’s verdict:
Eyamie has written a wonderful book filled with beautifully descriptive golf prose
and imperfect characters we can all relate with. His lessons about life and
love will stick with me long after I finished reading.
Bingley’s
verdict: With all those long stretches of green fairway and zipping golf balls
to chase, what’s not to like?
Rating: 4.5/5
Interested in reading this title? Check out your local independent bookstore for a copy!
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