Brother Frank's Gospel Hour
More Adventures of Silas Ermineskin and His Buddy Frank Fencepost
W.P Kinsella is a master story teller. The short stories in this collection are about colourful characters with too much time on their hands. Kinsella uses unforgettable imagery to accentuate each character’s unique idiosyncrasies.
The regal stature of local medicine woman Mad Etta sitting on her tree stump throne in the back of a pickup truck silences any other interpretation of her preferred mode of transport. The creative approach culinary prodigy Jason Twelve Trees takes to breaking down a sexist barrier preventing him from entering a cooking contest is a life lesson for everyone. Kinsella further demonstrates the value of human connectedness through Thomas Hanging Crow as he renews his respect for skilled aviators.
First Person
The stories are narrated by Silas Ermineskin. Written in the vernacular one must yield to the text’s inflection to truly appreciate each story. Once in sync with the narrator’s parlance, the reader then needs to sprinkle a grain or two of salt over the audacious activities of Silas’s close friend Frank Fencepost. Whether the story takes place in Seattle, the Alberta Supreme Court, or on the Hobbema Reserve, all locales are influenced by the puckish antics of Frank Fencepost.
First Nations’ Beliefs
Mixed in with Frank’s kibitzing Kinsella weaves in traditional native beliefs. Kinsella captures the darker side of Native spiritual beliefs by including the dual powers of a dream catcher. Rita Makes-room-for-them can’t hide her disappointment that her totem is a talking cat.
Kinsella also writes a whole story on the adventures encountered while Frank and Silas are helping Mad Etta search for a mythical Saskatoon bush which produces mammoth-sized berries. The spirit world is woven in to provide humour and insight into each character’s belief system and perceptions.
Breaking Barriers
Kinsella embodies and smashes stereotypes to tell his stories. Frank is the rascal character who is larger than life. He plays to all the labels applied to him and utilizes all his God-given qualities to the best of his abilities. Though never malicious, Frank is always looking for opportunities. When he isn’t sweet taking the women, he is schmoozing with the men. Not even a locked radio station can keep him off the air.
It seems that only Silas can second guess Frank. They are a team. What one doesn’t think of the other one does has never rung truer. The escapades of Silas and Frank are outrageous and humorous, and if taken from their point of view, logical and sensible.
Published by HarperCollins ISBN: 0-00-224368-7 Official Website for W.P. Kinsella
