Doyle, Brian. Uncle Ronald

Doyle, Brian. Uncle Ronald. Douglas & McIntyre, 2004 [0-88899-621-7]
This book is narrated by an one hundred and twelve year old man who can not remember what he had for lunch but can relate a powerful tale from his childhood. He grew up with a abusive father. Finally one day his mother could not take it any more and takes him and runs away. She sends Mickey to his Uncle, who lives on a farm and she disappears. Life then becomes complicated at the tax collectors arrive in the Uncle Ronald's town and the townspeople refuse to pay. After this is sort of resolved, Mickey's mom shows up followed in a few days by his abusive father. Mom stands up to him and everyone chases dad away. This 163 page book is a powerful story of an abusive father in the wilderness of Canada around the turn of the 20th century. The idea of having the old man relating the story, starting and ending the book, makes it more special.