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Twenty-Six (novel)
Encyclopedia
Twenty-Six is the debut novel
by author Leo McKay, Jr.
, released in 2003. The book was a national bestseller in Canada
and won the 2004 Dartmouth Book Award for Fiction
.
, the novel takes place against the backdrop of a coal mine explosion that kills twenty-six miners, loosely based on the real-life Westray Mine
explosion of 1992. Like the real-life incident, the novel's Eastyard mine disaster has themes of government corruption and the greed of the mine operator.
The story primarily revolves around the family of Ennis Burrows, a former union organizer. His sons, Ziv - a college drop-out now working at the local Zellers
- and Arvel, a miner who has followed in his father's footsteps. Their stories and those of other supporting characters unfold from the novel's beginning with the mine explosion, and working backward to show how the tragedy has fundamentally changed each of their lives.
's best-sellers list less than a week after it was released. Canadian author Robert J. Wiersema
wrote in the Montreal Gazette that it was one of the year's best novels - and stated that "...if you are able to read just a single piece of Canadian fiction this spring, it should be Twenty-Six". It was also awarded the 2004 Dartmouth
book award for Fiction..
Debut novel
A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to publish in the future...
by author Leo McKay, Jr.
Leo McKay, Jr.
Leo McKay, Jr. is a Canadian novelist and short story writer from Stellarton, Nova Scotia. He also is a periodic contributor to the Globe and Mail....
, released in 2003. The book was a national bestseller in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and won the 2004 Dartmouth Book Award for Fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
.
Plot summary
Set in the fictional town of Albion Mines, Nova ScotiaNova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, the novel takes place against the backdrop of a coal mine explosion that kills twenty-six miners, loosely based on the real-life Westray Mine
Westray Mine
The Westray Mine was a coal mine in Plymouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. It was the site of an underground methane explosion on May 9, 1992. The explosion resulted in the deaths of all 26 miners who were working underground at the time.-Background:...
explosion of 1992. Like the real-life incident, the novel's Eastyard mine disaster has themes of government corruption and the greed of the mine operator.
The story primarily revolves around the family of Ennis Burrows, a former union organizer. His sons, Ziv - a college drop-out now working at the local Zellers
Zellers
Zellers Inc. is Canada's second-largest chain of mass merchandise discount stores, with locations in communities across Canada. A subsidiary of the Hudson's Bay Company , it has 273 locations across the country....
- and Arvel, a miner who has followed in his father's footsteps. Their stories and those of other supporting characters unfold from the novel's beginning with the mine explosion, and working backward to show how the tragedy has fundamentally changed each of their lives.
Reception
The novel received widespread acclaim from Canadian critics, and reached number 6 on MacLean's MagazineMaclean's
Maclean's is a Canadian weekly news magazine, reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events.-History:Founded in 1905 by Toronto journalist/entrepreneur Lt.-Col. John Bayne Maclean, a 43-year-old trade magazine publisher who purchased an advertising agency's in-house...
's best-sellers list less than a week after it was released. Canadian author Robert J. Wiersema
Robert Wiersema
Robert Wiersema is a Canadian writer. Since 2006, he's published two novels, a novella and a non-fiction book about Bruce Springsteen.-Life and career:Wiersema was born in Agassiz, British Columbia, in 1970...
wrote in the Montreal Gazette that it was one of the year's best novels - and stated that "...if you are able to read just a single piece of Canadian fiction this spring, it should be Twenty-Six". It was also awarded the 2004 Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
book award for Fiction..
Trivia
While the book was entirely a work of fiction, there was one real life character who made an appearance. Danny Dykens was the local odd-jobs-man who came to clear the debris from the house of the protagonists. Dykens was a real resident of Stellarton's Red Row neighbourhood, and his real occupation was garbage removal. Dykens passed away in 2011, and in front of his coffin at his wake was proudly displayed a copy of the book, opened to the page where he was mentioned.External links
- Twenty-six at the Bukowski Agency.