"Good to a Fault" by Marina Endicott

   

   I found many questions to ponder in this novel: What does it mean to be good?  Is there a difference between 'doing good' and 'being good'? What do we owe other people?  What do we deserve in return?
  There are moral, social and spiritual questions in this novel.
  The cast of characters is fascinating.

  Clara Purdy, 43, was on her way to work when she hit a car carrying 6 passengers- all part of a homeless family- mother, father, 3 children, and a grandmother.  While at the hospital being checked, it is discovered that the mother has cancer.  Since the family was living in their car, Clara brings them all to her home.
  Clara's life had been very 'empty' since the passing of her mother.  She is described in this way: "Her self was an abandoned sampler, half the letters unstitched, the picture in the middle still vague".
  Well, her life certainly becomes 'exciting', but perhaps too much excitement.  The father steals her car and leaves, and she falls in love with an Anglican minister who seems only to be able to express himself by quoting famous poets.  All this, while caring for three young children and an elderly woman.
   Clara's chaotic life changes when the mother recovers and the father reappears and moves the family out of Clara's house without mentioning anything to Clara.
   Now what?  

  I read this book in 2010, because it had been a finalist for the Giller Prize.  On re-reading it this time, I was impressed with the ending of the novel.  Although you are not sure what will happen to the characters, there is a satisfaction as the whole cast of characters gathers at a picnic.  And Clara...."At last her mind was not noisy with wanting and her heart had satisfied its longings".