On Isabella Street by Genevieve Graham

From #1 bestselling author Genevieve Graham comes a gripping novel set in Toronto and Vietnam during the turbulent sixties about two women caught up in powerful social movements and the tragedy that will bring them together.

Toronto, 1967. Two young women with different backgrounds, attitudes, and aptitudes are living in an exciting but confusing time, the most extreme counter-culture movement the modern world has ever seen. They have little in common except for the place they both call an apartment building on Isabella Street.

Marion Hart, a psychiatrist working in Toronto’s foremost mental institution, is fighting deinstitutionalization—the closing of major institutions in favour of community-based centres—because she believes it could one day cause major homelessness. When Alex Neumann, a vet with a debilitating wound, is admitted to the mental institution, Marion will learn through him that there is so much more to life than what she is living.

Sassy Rankin, a budding folk singer and carefree hippy from a privileged family, joins protests over the Vietnam War and is devastated that her brother chose to join the US Marines. At the same time, she must deal with the truth that her comfortable life is financed by her father, a real estate magnate bent on gentrifying the city, making it unaffordable for many of her friends.

The strength of their unlikely friendship means that when one grapples with a catastrophic event, the other must do all she can to make it right.

Inspired by the unfettered optimism and crushing disillusionment of the sixties, On Isabella Street is an extraordinary novel about the enduring bonds of friendship and family and the devastating cost of war.

Paperback, 432 pages

Published April 22, 2025 

by Simon & Schuster

5/5 stars

Genevieve Graham has solidified herself as an auto-read author. Her passion for telling Canadian historical fiction stories is evident in her well researched books. On Isabel Street released just a few days ago.

On Isabella Street is a vivid portrayal of what life was like in Toronto in 1967. Seen through the eyes of two women, from different walks of life, and how they develop a special friendship. One a psychiatrist that deals with the deinstitutionalization of mental institutions that took place in that year. As one of a very few female doctors in her field, her struggle is felt. The other view is of a carefree, happy, bubbling folk singer from a well to do family. Her brother has joined the US Marines and sent over to Vietnam.

I could go on and on what takes place in this book but rather say that On Isabella Street is a must read for historical fiction lovers. It is not just a story of a friendship, but it is also a glimpse of how the Vietnam war affected Canada, the struggles with PTSD when it wasn’t as well known as it is today. This is a very well written story that has some twists, romance, but ultimately it is about friendship, family and the bonds that held them together.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster CA for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.