The Big Why brings together a larger-than-life version of American painter Rockwell Kent and famed Newfoundland explorer Bob Bartlett in the coastal town of Brigus. Through their unlikely encounter, the story opens a window onto everyday life in small-town Newfoundland in the early 20th century.

Set against the stark beauty of the North Atlantic, the novel explores the clash and connection between an outsider artist and a hard-tested seafarer. Their relationship highlights the customs, hardships, and humour that shape a tight-knit community at the edge of the world.

Readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction will find rich period detail, complex personalities, and an atmospheric portrait of a place where art, adventure, and local tradition intersect.

Book details

• Publisher: House of Anansi Press
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 384
• Setting: Brigus, Newfoundland, early 20th century
• Key figures: Rockwell Kent, Bob Bartlett

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