This is the first collection of poetry (published in 1897) by the Canadian author who spent most of his adult life practicing medicine in rural Quebec and developed a love for the people that shines through all his writing. This book includes his best-known poem "The Wreck of the Julie Plante" and is a great introduction to Drummond's work.

Drummond has become politically incorrect in Canada and is pretty much ignored because he wrote in the patois of the French-Canadian habitant, and Canadians have become overly sensitive to that kind of thing. There is no doubt in my mind that Drummond was not caricaturing the habitants, but indeed had a deep love for them. He also published "The Voyageur" and several smaller books of poetry. I love the guy. He was funny, insightful and emotional. Too bad the Canadians have dumped a national treasure.

This may be considered a classic of the fur trade era, but I would not waste my time on this book! It is a verbose and overblown "fictitious" theatrical novel which is difficult to follow and comprehend. Although based upon true events during the fur trade era, the author is much too glamorous and gaudy in his writing style.