Welcome
Thanks for dropping by! History never inspired me until I had time to consider how I came to be me. The voices of the past whispered and I listened.
Curiosity inspires my creative storytelling and grounds me with a profound sense of gratitude for the generations who came before. I feel their pain, embrace their triumphs, and marvel at their bold adventures.
As my characters grow, I reflect on their lives, propelling me to fabricate one version of how they handled events they faced.
I invite you into their world, and to walk beside them as they face both the joys and perils of everyday life.
In the Hills: Winter 2023: The Year in Books
November 27, 2023 | In The Hills | Arts
In the Shadow of Mount Royal—Growing Up in Montreal’s Golden Age
Leaving Was Just the Beginning—One Woman’s Journey to India
After Clouds, Sunshine—The Story of Grace Evelyn Loucks, 1867–1949
by Cynthia Young
In this series of creative non-fiction books, Cynthia Young delves into the stories of her great-grandparents, combining the facts of their lives and family lore with her own imaginings—of thoughts, of conversations, of events, of settings.
In the Shadow of Mount Royal, for example, tells the story of James Gillespie, who was born in 1863 and grew up in Montreal during what is often called the city’s “Golden Age.” At the time, Montreal was Canada’s economic and cultural hub, and home to many of the captains of industry whose names are recorded in history books.
But the names of James—or Jamie, as he was called—and his family don’t appear in those books. The Gillespies were ordinary folk who worked every day to make ends meet, who approached life’s tribulations with courage and determination, and whose labour helped build Montreal’s wealth.
In rich and loving detail, Young brings alive Jamie’s story, as well as the stories of Evelyn Loucks in After Clouds, Sunshine and of Mary Lucy Byrne in Leaving Was Just the Beginning, by portraying the lives of these everyday, yet thoroughly remarkable people against the backdrop of the times they lived through.
https://www.inthehills.ca/2023/11/the-year-in-books-2023/
CANREADS BOOK REVIEW:
" A must-read for fans of historical fiction and family sagas. A Tapestry of Two Worlds will
immerse readers in a rich, emotional journey."
" Young excels in historical authenticity, capturing the essence of nineteenth-century life
through well-researched settings and emotional depth"
" Young's lyrical, accessible and engaging language is also notable"
" The story traces his journey from childhood in Lancashire, England, to adulthood in colonial
India, exploring themes of family, migration and resilience. James's journey is one of self-
discovery as he navigates the challenges of family expectations, education, and the uncertainties
of forging his own path in a changing world."
Read here "A Tapestry of Two Worlds" Beta Reader Report
Literary Titan gives A Tapestry of Two Worlds by Cynthia Young a 4-star review
"... A TENDER AND THOUGHTFUL COMING-OF-AGE STORY
THAT SNKEAKS UP ON YOU."
" ... unexpected, raw, and beautifully restrained."
"... not just the evolution of one boy, but the pulse of a whole generation
caught between the pastoral and the industrial."
" if you love family sagas especially ones rooted in real history, this book will
peak to you."
AUTHOR ∙ HISTORIAN ∙ STORYTELLER
All written material or photographs that appear on this blog are the property of the author and her family or are in the public domain. Where material has come from other sources, I have received permisssion to use it and the source is acknowledged. Use of my written material or photographs in publications, blogs or websites is not allowed without my prior permission.