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A Bowl of Cherries is a vivid, personal account of Canada’s early-twentieth-century history, spanning from the late 1800s, when Jules Legal’s grandparents built a homestead in the harsh scrublands of Southeastern Manitoba, to the author’s own upbringing during the Great Depression, the war years, and beyond.
Set against the backdrop of an industrializing, modernizing nation, Jules shares his family’s story, describing with striking detail and emotional resonance the challenges his parents face as they struggle to raise their family through times of economic upheaval. The bulk of the anecdotes take place between 1937 and 1953, as Jules follows the ever-winding-often hazardous-river of life. From the suburbs of St. Catharines to the backwaters of rural Manitoba, Jules describes the joys of boyhood friendships, and how easily best buddies can lead each other astray. He is also exposed to the religious politics of the time, when the segregation between Catholics and Protestants in the school system leads to dramatic conflicts. Jules navigates his way through the challenges of puberty and ongoing relocations, as his family moves yet again in order to stay afloat in a still-struggling economy. While Jules strives to make his mark wherever his parents take him, he forever maintains his curiosity and enthusiasm for life. Throughout it all, Jules is constantly reminded-by his family, by himself, and by the titular song-that life is just a bowl of cherries an experience to be embraced, not taken too seriously, and most importantly, to be enjoyed.
