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Etta and Otto and Russell and James
Emma Hooper
2015, 305 pages
Fiction
Etta, Otto and Russell grow up on the prairie in Saskatchewan. Russell is an only child whose father dies during the Great Depression. His mother takes him to live with a childless aunt and uncle, neighbors of Otto’s large family. He is absorbed into the mob of siblings, taking turns going to school and tending to farm work. Etta takes a job as teacher in their one room schoolhouse, even though she’s about the same age as Otto and Russell, right about the time the older boys are leaving for World War II.
When the novel opens they are in their 80s. Etta leaves Otto a note, “I’ve gone. I’ve never seen the water, so I’ve gone there. Don’t worry, I’ve left you the truck. I can walk. I will try to remember to come back.”
The rest of the book alternates seamlessly between the present and the past. Things happen as they would in real life but also as they might in a dream. If you’ve noticed that I don’t say who James is, it’s because I think you’ll have more fun finding out for yourself.
Etta and Otto and Russell and James is about what all good books are about – what it is to be human, living as if life is a quest and the prize is knowing your own heart. This book isn’t for you if you like a neat ending to a clear-cut story. But if you want to wallow in the muddled, messy joy of life, pick up Hooper’s debut and give it a try.
