While a little rough in some aspects, The Road to Goderich is nonetheless an engaging Canadian historical fiction that moves at a good pace.

I live in southern Ontario, and when I was a kid, I went camping every year for a week or two at Point Farms provincial park right outside Goderich, and I've also stayed in the town at various B&Bs in the area and along the Huron Coast. I plan on retiring there when I'm old. Because I love the area, I jumped on a book that featured it. Very disappointing to me was that there really isn’t much actually about the town/landscape, aside from a few things here and there, as it’s more a setting to feature the action than a true extrapolation into the area itself. For example, while there is mention of Tiger Dunlop in passing (a leading figure in the Canada Company who had developed the area around lake Huron; there’s a trail named after him that I’ve walked many times) he doesn’t feature in the story at all, nor does the Rebellion of 1837, really. There’s a lot of talk about why people wanted the rebellion, but we don’t really get the Rebellion itself aside from a mention near the end. To be clear, this wasn’t actually a big deal, given that the book is focused on Callandra, who wouldn’t have been involved in the action regardless, and it did show how regular people were impacted by the politics of the day. We get absolutely no mention of the amazing bluffs or Lake Huron, which was a real shame.

Callandra herself is a good character. She is too loyal to her family and struggles against the society she’s in. The book does a great job showing how and why women, even if they were exposed to stuff like women’s rights via books and pamphlets, often could or would not do anything to further it. Callandra, above all else, is an ordinary woman who just wants to live her life with a modicum of self-determination. She makes a choice at the start of the book that is based on a mix of altruism/social pressure, which haunts her the rest of her days.

The book also makes her husband, Norbert, out to be a real loser, which was helpful in driving sympathy for Callandra. Sam, the secondary male character, is interesting because while the book is third person, we don’t really get his perspective; this adds to a twist at the end of the story which, I will admit, felt more like it came out of nowhere than was hinted at throughout. As such, it had me confused more than surprised, because I was like “does that really track with said character’s personality?” Likewise, something happens at one point <spoiler>the sexual assault</spoiler> that the reader is privy to but later is revealed to have happened differently than described, which made it feel sort of shoehorned in and unnecessary.

Now, the storyline does move at a great clip, especially for a historical fiction, with an interesting “cover-up story” that adds tension and a forbidden romance subplot. It takes a while to build, but it’s more about “how will they make this work” vs “will it happen.” I found it very easy to follow and I was invested in the characters and how they would make their new life work. I was quite drawn into the story and enjoyed it.

The writing could have used some tightening, though. There’s a lot of passive writing and telling and not showing in the novel. Those sentences could have been reworked to be less didactic and more immersive. So many “She felt this” “she felt that” etc.

This has nothing to do with the book as it stands, but the book is woefully bereft of any mention of the Indigenous peoples of the Huron Track area. Especially during this time, when the federal government was trying to populate “Upper Canada” with colonists, the Attawandaron and Anishinaabe peoples would have been in the area, and the book does not mention how their lands were stolen or how the building of roads or farms would have impacted their lifestyle. Of course, the book isn’t about Indigenous peoples, but it seemed odd to me that they were never mentioned by anyone in the book. According to very quick research I did (no, not ChatGPT, I have integrity), by 1846 (less than ten years after this book is set), Goderich had around 1200 people, so up until that point they had to be still trading with the indigenous bands quite a bit, meaning there was likely no way Callanda couldn’t have at least heard of them, yet no mention is made. Quite frankly, writing a historical fiction and not mentioning the Indigenous peoples of the region feels like a missed opportunity to circumvent assumptions about the interaction of the colonists and indigenous peoples at the time. Especially in Canada.

Anyway, the book is an enjoyable social historical fiction that has a few faults, but overall is engaging and keeps you reading.

It is a poignant and beautifully atmospheric historical novel set against the backdrop of Upper Canada in the 1830s. It opens in rural Scotland, where we meet Callandra, a spirited young woman whose sense of duty to her struggling family leads her into an arranged marriage with a clergyman she does not love. When the couple emigrates to Canada for his pastoral posting, Callandra’s world expands and complicates in ways she never imagined.
McQuaig excels at bringing to life the harsh and hopeful landscapes of early Canadian settlement, capturing both the promise of the New World and its deep-rooted inequalities. As Callandra begins to question the roles prescribed to her by marriage and society, her journey becomes not just geographic but also deeply personal and political.
At the heart of the novel is her bond with Lottie, her former maid turned confidante, whose sudden illness forces her to remain behind in Toronto. The painful distance between them grows when Lottie’s long-held secret comes to light, testing the limits of friendship and trust. What unfolds is a story not only of misunderstanding but of resilience, sacrifice, and the early rumblings of feminist and workers’ rights movements in colonial Canada.
McQuaig, known for her journalistic rigor, brings impressive research to bear without ever losing the emotional thread of her narrative. The result is a richly textured portrait of two women navigating love, loyalty, and rebellion in a world where the rules are made by—and for—men.
A quietly powerful novel, The Road to Goderich is both intimate and expansive, offering readers a moving reflection on the costs of silence and the courage it takes to demand more.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
I had a hard copy so I read it but will still review it here.
Very interesting tale of a young girl who sacrifices herself for the sake of her family by marrying into a wealthy Glasgow family where she is not well treated. Her minister husband accepts an offer to head the church in far flung Goderich, Ontario.
This is historical fiction, but it focused more on relationships than events. That is well done.
What I don’t understand is that there are errors (ie. dates). These things should not happen in a polished work
I enjoyed the hometown story as this occurred not too far from me.
Overall, it was ok, but not at the top of my A list

Callandra was only fifteen when her beloved father suddenly died. In the 1830s, women around the world were second-rate citizens and often had to marry to secure financial and social security. Callandra was in a predicament so she reluctantly agreed to marry Norbert, a clergyman from a wealthy family. As an independent thinker, she learned information such as the Poor Law reforms and ached yearned for more knowledge. She respected boldness in intrepid women including Harriet Martineau. But she did not have the same respect for her new husband and his family who treated her abhorrently. Norbert announced to his family he and his young family would be moving to Canada to fill a clergy post. Desperate for support, Callandra took young servant and dear friend Lottie along as well as Lottie's brother Sam. Saying farewell to her mother was nearly impossible. The trip across the Atlantic and then Canada was filled with peril and unknowns. The congregants grew to like the new couple and little girl Emma. Projects got done. But layers were peeled back and layers of secrets were exposed.

The tense atmosphere, family drama, class distinctions, secrets, relationships and church divisions captured my attention and held it. Surprises kept coming and I enjoyed the ending as well. Some characters were insufferable but added a lot of interest. I like stories which are not all sunshine and roses with tidy endings. Overall, this novel is worth spending time with.

Very interesting tale of a young girl who sacrifices herself for the sake of her family by marrying into a wealthy Glasgow family where she is not well treated. Her minister husband accepts an offer to head the church in far flung Goderich, Ontario.
The initial part of the story takes place in Scotland followed by the tale of the family's crossing the Atlantic. The story concentrates more on the relationships between characters rather than too many historical details which serves to move the action along.
A very unlikely situation occurs that leads to the ultimate downfall of the main character.

This was an interesting historical read. It was a bleak tale of hardship and survival and I found it to be dark and atmospheric and filed with compelling historical details which I enjoyed very much.

From Glasgow to colonial Canada, this was exactly the kind of sweeping story I love. The characters were immediately likeable and drew you in to following their story. Tragic, bleak and atmospheric but with sprinklings of love and hope, this was a fantastic read.

Callandra marries Norbert Scott after the death of her father so that her family would not lose their farm. She was not happy in her marriage, but she did have a friend in a servant, Lottie. Lottie has a brother who also works for Norbert, his name is Sam. Norbert Scott is a minister and is sent to Canada, to Goderich. This is the story of their move to Goderich.

There are times you read a book and even when you finish, you are still thinking about it. This is one of those books. I don't want to give anything away, but I feel like I was not disappointed. I look forward to more from this author. Please give me more!

The Road to Goderich is a story set in a time of inequality and loveless marriages forced upon very young women. Set in England and then pioneering Canada, the story is one of hardships and having to do whatever is required to survive, no matter what. Behind the story of the main characters, is a background of impending rebellion and weaving its way throughout the book is a 'church versus state' dichotomy. But at its heart this is a love story - several in fact. Forced marriage, breaking up families, love found in unexpected places and always a feeling of having to do what is best in the circumstances, even if it breaks your heart, pervade the story. Social mores on both sides of the Atlantic dictate acceptable behaviour and the consequences of being seen to step out of line are huge and can be catastrophic. Winding their way throughout the book are secrets and lies which eventually and inevitably come to the surface: for some all too late.
Historically this is an intriguing book. The social norms are well documented elsewhere, but Canada isn't necessarily a place we've read about before in novels about pioneers leaving the UK. I found this refreshing and interesting and wanted to find out more - surely a mark of a good historical novel.

I really enjoyed the historical element that I was looking for and was glad it was so realistically done. I was invested in what was happening and how the characters were used in this world. Linda McQuaig has a strong writing style and was able to create a unique and wonderfully done story.

Rural Scotland in the 1830s, fifteen-year-old Callandra is devastated by her father’s sudden death. To save her family from poverty, she reluctantly agrees to marry Norbert Scott, an odious clergyman from a wealthy Glasgow family. However, upon arrival at her new home in Glasgow, her new husband and his family are cruel and vindictive toward her. Callandra’s only consolation is her close friendship with a household servant, Lottie.

Callandra’s husband accepts a post as a clergyman in the remote town of Goderich in Upper Canada, aiming to improve his status and upgrade his position in the clergy. Lottie will accompany the couple, along with her brother Sam, a carpenter who will assist with building and maintenance in the new settlement. After a perilous journey, they are greeted warmly by the townsfolk of Goderich, who are particularly delighted when their new pastor stands up for them in defiance of the colonial authorities.

Linda McQuaig has written an engaging story of a Scottish family in turbulent times. Themes include tumultuous church divisions, rebellion by town residents and an uprising against the Canada Company. The Canada Company was a private British land development company that was established to aid in the colonisation of a large part of Upper Canada. General mismanagement and corruption within the company, were contributing factors to the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837 - the novel explores these events and the subsequent impact on the town residents..

The characters in the book have their own unique narratives; the author has competently portrayed the impact of events on those characters. The largely impassive narration provides a sharp contrast to the emotional roller coaster experienced by the characters in the story.

I was fully engaged and immersed in the narrative. Overall it was a compelling story, and I would thoroughly recommend the book to all readers who enjoy historical fiction.

lots of drama, emotions, and some historical detail; It seemed to be a quick read, but for some reason after I finished, I still felt as if I needed a bit more.

I am Scottish and am planning to visit Ontario in May so I was looking forward to reading this novel. Hmmm - I’m afraid it fell a bit flat for me. The idea is good but the writing jarred and the characters were all a bit wooden and one-dimensional. The Scottish section used language that didn’t ring true and the storyline seemed slightly contrived in places. I was interested to read about the history of Goderich and the Upper Ontario area though but I just found the execution of this book underwhelming.

Set in the 1830's Callandra's father has died and to help out the family financially she agrees to marry the local clergyman.

Norbert is harsh and cruel husband, and when he tells his wife they are to move from Scotland to Goderich in Upper Canada.

Callandra is only 15 years old and is happy that they have been accepeted by the people of her new homeland but when her husbands lies start a rebellion she wonders if there is anyone she can trust,

This is a wonderful read and I really enjoyed it. I loved the descriptive writing and the story is beautifully told.

The Road to Goderich is a story about love, heartbreak, survival, and redemption. As the oldest child in a large family, Callandra soon finds herself in a no-win situation after her father's untimely death. Without him, they will not be able to sustain their farm. A visiting minister delivers the eulogy for the father who has passed away. Taking an interest in the eldest daughter, Callandra, he proposes to Callandra's mother that he marry Callandra. In exchange, he would continue to pay for the family's farm lease. Callandra was mortified when the minister proposed to her. Callandra already had a deep affection for someone, and he was nothing to behold. She begs her mother not to force her to marry him. Fortunately, her mother agrees. Due to her family's needs, Callandra has a change of heart and marries Mr. Scott. In addition to being a clergyman, Mr. Scott comes from a wealthy family. Callandra is treated harshly by the Scotts after the wedding. Life becomes very difficult and lonely for Callandra. Due to his stuttering and pouty appearance, Norbert did not find much favor in his father's eyes. He found favor only in his mother's eyes, who caudled him. Except for traveling clergy work, he had no real job. As a husband, he was abusive and hateful to Callandra. After hearing about the need for clergy in backwoods Canadian providences, Norbert thinks this might just be his chance to escape the harshness he constantly receives at home. This news devastates Callandra. As long as Lottie the housemaid can accompany them, she takes solace in this. Sam, Lottie's brother, intervenes on his sister's behalf. Sam would travel to Canada and build the church in Goderich, which meant Lottie would also travel. During their trek across the Canadian wilderness, Norbert drowns in an accident. Sam gets confused with the Reverend Scott when he arrives in Goderich. Sam and Callandra decide to accept the misunderstanding and let the people of Goderich believe that Sam is Norbert. The men of Goderich assist Sam in building the church in Goderich. Despite not being a preacher, Sam did everything in his power to prolong preaching. As much as I would love to share more about this amazing book, I do not want to spoil the rest of the story for you.

My main quarrel with this book is that the blurb gives most of the plot away! Instead of being curious about what would happen next, I found myself just looking out for milestones and ticking them off mentally. The only uncharted waters came in the final 30% or so!

Story and Cadence:
🍁 The language was modern which made reading this a breeze. The pace is good and I finished the book in two days.
🍁 Storytelling was telling-heavy, almost reportage in some places. It made me feel like I was reading a non-fiction at times and made me want to verify some of the terms and stuff.
🍁 I didn’t like the head-hopping in the close third person.
🍁 The passage of time was inconsistent and confusing, particularly once we get to Canada: what felt like days passing were claimed to be years, which didn’t make sense with the timeline and kept pulling me out of the story trying to reorient myself.

Characters, Setting, and Atmosphere:
🍁 The characters were pretty wooden. Callandra and Sam were 2024 transplants. Norbert and his mother were cartoon villains (all the antagonists were simply “bad”, there was no complexity or depth to them whatsoever). On the other hand, characters like Lottie had no depth either, just “good”. Blair was a creep and it was kinda gross how Callandra was egging him on out of self-interest.
🍁 Many of the character motivations made no sense to me (Did they seriously think they were going to get away with it? Why didn’t Callandra just leave Goderich, like, after multiple things happened?! Rosalee was all over the show in terms of actions, as was Jones.)
🍁 I was disappointed by the weak sense of place. I grew up up the Lake Huron coast from Goderich and now live in West Coast Scotland - neither the Scotland or Canadian places felt developed and I wasn’t transported like I’d hoped I’d be!
🍁 Personally, I didn’t like how one element <spoiler removed> was used as a plot device for a last minute “gotcha”.

Writing and Presentation:
🍁 Some of the dialogue felt stilted and unnatural.
🍁 The ending felt rushed and deeply unsatisfying after the journey we made to get there. Any semblance of characterization or plot seems to kinda go off the rails. There was a twist toward the end that surprised me but it made the whole story fall pretty flat, emotionally; it also brought in more questions about s specific character’s motivations for this reader.
🍁 Consistency issues: author uses both “Glasgow University” and “University of Glasgow” - the latter is correct. I’m not a historian and didn’t investigate some of the things that made me go “hmmm” but there were a few (maybe it’s accurate but the use of “Head Office” for the church thing didn’t feel like an early 1800s term).
🍁 The book layout is beautifully presented from a design perspective.

Ultimately, I don’t regret giving this a go. I have a soft spot for books set in Ontario and Scotland - and this has both! But, I’m not sure I’d recommend it on the whole. In addition to the above, it’s a very bleak story and it’s one that you’d want to make sure you were in the right headspace to read before picking it up.