Old Man Savarin, and Other Stories

Set against the bustling riverbanks of the Ottawa, the collection opens with a vivid portrait of Ma’ame Paradis, a seasoned fisherwoman whose witty banter and love of the water draw the narrator into the local world of fishing platforms, elms, and the roar of the Rataplan Rapid. Through her eyes we glimpse the rhythm of daily life—men hauling hoop‑nets, the glow of sunset on the river, and the simple barter of bait for a few coins—while a lingering sense of rivalry simmers beneath the surface.

The narrator’s curiosity leads him to the legend of Old Man Savarin, a notorious figure whose claim over the fishing grounds sparks a bitter dispute between generations. As the story unfolds, the clash of pride, property, and community law is told with humor and regional dialect, offering a snapshot of frontier justice and the stubborn spirit of those who make a living from the river. The tale balances light‑hearted chatter with the tension of a simmering conflict, inviting listeners to step into a bygone era of Canadian river life.