Kootenay historical novel launches at the Nelson Library
By Contributor
History bursts forth in a splash of colour when local thespian and writer Brian d’Eon launches his novel Big Ledge: the Triumphs and Tribulations of Robert E. Sproule on Thursday, October 18 at 7 p.m. at the Nelson Public Library. Described as a wild romp, d’Eon’s new fictional work follows the fortunes and misfortunes of the famous Kootenay prospector.
Colourful characters (mostly historical) fill the page’s of d’Eon’s book, starting with Sproule himself as he makes his way up to Kootenay Lake in the summer of 1882. At Big Ledge he believes he has finally found his El Dorado, but competing interests soon complicate his plans and jack up the tension. What follows—in D’Eon’s fictionalization just as it was in history—is a tale of high drama, betrayal, and eventually murder.
Like Robert Sproule, Brian d’Eon came out west to seek his fortune, in his case the considerable cultural riches of Nelson. Here he embraced live theatre an actor, writer and director. In recent years he has turned his attention to fiction. Vagabondage Press published his novella Eta Carina in 2013. In 2019, it plans to publish his novel, The Draper Catalogue.
History and literary enthusiasts can expect an entertaining reading at the launch, which is a free event. There will be books on hand for purchase.
