A New Season by Terry Fallis

From beloved and bestselling author Terry Fallis comes a novel unlike any of his others. A thoughtful exploration of aging, loss, family, friendship, and love, all with his trademark humour and heart. 

Jack McMaster seemingly has it all. A beautiful house, a loving son of many talents (including cooking, which is great news for Jack, if not for his waistline), even a special bond with his buddies in his ball hockey league. But he's also learning to live with loss, leaving a gaping hole in his life--a life that will never be the same as before. Jack passes his days knowing he has the support of his family and his friends, but he can't shake the feeling that his life has gone gray, and that time is slipping by so quickly. 

Then, a short and shocking video from an unexpected source gives him the gumption to make a change and maybe even haul himself out of his melancholia. Inspired by his lifelong fascination with 1920s Paris, Jack finally visits the City of Light, following in the footsteps of Hemingway and Fitzgerald, and wandering the Left Bank.

 Slowly, the colour seeps back into his life, aided by a chance encounter in a café that leads Jack into the art world, and a Paris mystery nearly a century old. Full of sincerity and warmth, A New Season shows us all that sometimes, making a change in your life can save your life.

Paperback, 352 pages

Published August 29, 2023

by McClelland & Stewart

4/5 stars

  A New Season takes place after the pandemic as Jack is still coming to terms with his wife's passing in the early days of covid.  It's like life has stood still the past 3 years or so.  But it isn't until his son shows Jack something that he takes that step, a giant step that is and sets off for Paris.  A trip that has always been in the plans but never fulfilled.

I immediately got Fredrik Bachman vibes with the humor and banter that takes place in the mist of heartache. A New Season is a story of grief, friendship and new beginnings.  It was engaging and the fact Toronto is one of the settings made it all the more endearing. The middle might have dragged a little but I loved where this book went and the story it told.  Friendship plays such a big part which shows the importance of true friends during the good and bad times.

This was my first Terry Fallis book, I had the privilege of attending an event with the release of this book.  He did a great presentation, talking about his inspirations and even how parts are reflected in his own life.  Definitely an author I recommend.

This book was part of my 2023 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #73