The House of Cariboo, and Other Tales from Arcadia

Set against the rolling wilderness of the Canadian frontier, this collection weaves together the hopes and hardships of families chasing gold and a new life. The opening chapters follow the Camerons as they leave a bustling front line for the promise of the Cariboo Mountains, while Barbara and Dan navigate the quieter domestic challenges back home. Alongside their journeys, vivid sketches of the St. Lawrence’s wild waters and the enchanted Archipelago frame the landscape with a lyrical sense of place.

Interwoven tales of prospectors, money lenders, and gossiping townsfolk bring a bustling social tapestry to life, from the rugged mining camp to the polite salons of the archipelago’s villages. Characters such as the clever LeClare, who tends an “initialed tree,” and the wily Nick Perkins, whose loan dealings spark both conflict and comedy, provide both tension and humor. Listeners will feel the river’s endless rush reflected in the characters’ relentless quests for fortune and belonging.