Plain Tales of the North

"Plain Tales of the North" by Thierry Mallet is a collection of stories that paints a picture of life in the Far North during the early 1900s, centered around the traditions and struggles of people living in remote areas, as well as their interactions with nature and wildlife. One notable tale tells of a solitary grave of a young woman in Saskatchewan, lying among jack-pines marked by four logs, symbolizing the difficulties and short life in the northern wilderness, while also showing how her husband, now a “squaw man,” disregards her memory; reflecting on themes of isolation, survival, and the relationships between people, land, and the shared stories in history.