Lilacs by the Kitchen Door by Sheri Hathaway reviewed by Elma Schemenauer

Sheri Hathaway of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is a multi-talented person—watercolor artist, former teacher, and writer of articles, poems, and books. Her recent book Lilacs by the Kitchen Door is a memoir based on her parents' lives. Hathaway shares their stories in a style as straightforward as the prairie itself. Her writing is concrete, her many references to touchable objects appealing to the reader's senses. Examples: washboard road, stone boat, gramophone, barbed wire fence, outhouse, pail toilet, rhubarb, and of course lilacs.

Hathaway is adept at bringing her characters to life for the reader. Examples: Her mother, Louise's, favourite dessert is ice cream. She keeps a diary in a simple notebook like what one might use to write a grocery list. The author's father, Harold, has "bushy red awnings for eyebrows." He's loyal to the church, the Co-op store, and his farm.

I believe this book would appeal to a wide readership, especially people interested in history, farming, family relationships, and the beautiful Western Canadian prairies.