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.