Macdonald, S: Fate and Freedom in the Novels of David Adams

This book explores the understanding of freedom developed in the later novels of celebrated Canadian author, David Adams Richards. Many reviewers highlight two interconnected features in Richards novels: a seemingly rigid determinism of setting and sociodemographics, and a resulting hopelessness. In contrast, Richards describes the quest of human life and the purpose of his novels as a search for freedom. This book explores the account of freedom that is developed through the course of four of Richards's works: The Friends of Meager Fortune, Mercy Among the Children, The Lost Highway, and Crimes Against My Brother. Following the Augustinian thread that informs Richards's writing, we argue that rather than presenting an understanding of human life that is bleak or hopeless, Richards instead reveals an argument wherein one's happiness and freedom is found in the midst of love.

PrefaceIntroductionI.Meager Fortunes Indeed: The Friends of Meager FortuneII. Seeking Mercy: Mercy Among the ChildrenIII.Travelling Lost Highways: The Lost HighwayIV.Conclusion: Crimes Against My BrotherV.Postscript: Principles to Live By