Pure Spring
Brian Doyle
Hardcover
(Groundwood Books, March 20, 2007)
In this eagerly awaited sequel to the award-winning Boy O'Boy, it’s spring in post-World War II Ottawa and Martin O’Boy has finally found a true home with Grampa Rip. Martin’s also found a job, working for the Pure Spring soft drink company. Best of all, he's in love with beautiful Gerty McDowell. But everything’s not perfect. Martin lied to kindly Mr. Mirsky, Pure Spring’s owner, to get the job. Grampa Rip’s brain increasingly goes missing. There’s that mysterious, yet oddly familiar, man in the park. Too, there are Martin’s memories; the sudden appearance of famed Soviet defector Igor Gouzensko; and Martin’s shady boss Randy. And worst of all, Gerty's grandfather is being robbed by Randy, with Martin forced to act as his accomplice. Martin’s happiness, his sense of duty, and his love for Gerty collide. Can he find his way through these dire developments? Brian Doyle’s fast-paced plot and vivid characterizations, along with the lively colloquial dialogue and period detail, create a rich historical portrait that confirms the author’s place as a master of the genre.