First published 1986
Francis Cornish navigates his unusual childhood in the Ontario town of Blairlogie, where his wealthy family's secrets shape his destiny. His grandfather's mysterious past and his mother's artistic ambitions pull him between worlds. As Francis matures, he discovers his talent for art restoration and forgery. He travels to Europe, where he becomes entangled in espionage during World War II while working as an art expert. His ability to create convincing forgeries draws him into dangerous territory. Francis struggles with questions of authenticity in both art and life. He must reconcile his Canadian roots with his European experiences, his family's expectations with his own desires. The story reveals how childhood experiences echo through a lifetime, shaping identity and purpose in unexpected ways.
Genres: art, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, biographical-fiction, espionage
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Blairlogie, Europe, Ontario
Period: World War II
525 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books