GG Book Review: Earth and High Heaven
Posted in Books on 11/12/2009 09:12 am by Jenn
Graham, Gwethalyn. Earth and High Heaven. Cormorant Books Inc. (2003). Originally won the GG in 1944.
After an absence of almost twenty years, Earth and High Heaven is back in print. This classic novel, published in 1944, was very timely; it spoke of the prejudices of its time, when Gentiles and Jews did not mix in society. When Erica Drake, of the Westmount Drakes, met and fell in love with Marc Reiser, a Jew from northern Ontario, their respective worlds were turned upside down. Set against the backdrop of the first three years of the Second World War, Earth and High Heaven captured the hearts and minds of its generation and helped to shape the more diverse and inclusive culture we have today.
From the back cover
I feel like I have read this one before. Star-crossed lovers whose families do not approve. Will they lose their families or each other? Not just Romeo and Juliet, but a lot of other characters. I think it is such a relevant story because it represents generational differences as well as family dynamics. It is about a new generation rebelling against the prejudices and customs of the former. In this novel times are changing but, as one of the character’s father points out, “it isn’t just a question of conventions; it’s five thousand years which have made you and he hopelessly different.” (301)
What I did like about these characters is that they were not overly dramatic. There were no hysterics or love letters sent surreptitiously through the wall. They were very true to the social customs that dictated their respective class in the 1930s and 1940s. Unfortunately, without a little bit more conflict, this book was boring in some parts. I found I picked it up to start it, put it down, and read two other books in between. The story seemed to follow a formula that is over-done. In addition, the conversations about the war and the class divisions got a bit lengthy and it was difficult to stay interested in that.
Graham explored the class distinction in Canada, politics of the family, relationships between family members and French-English tension about involvement of the war.
What saved this book from being completely predictable is the ending.











