The 2nd Canadian Book Club Challenge. #2-Ontario--The Whirlpool by Jane Urquhart

This novel begins with the last days of Robert Browning and also ends with him. The book is set in Niagara Falls Ontario, summer of the year 1899. It centers on 4 main characters. David, an historian and his wife Fleda, who decide to live by the falls. David is obsessed with military history, especially Laura Secord. Fleda is obsessed with the poet Robert Browning and the whirlpool (at the botttom of the falls. Patrick, a poet, comes to Niagara Falls and befriends David, so that he can get close to Fleda. He has secretly been watching her, while she reads poetry and gazes at the whirlpool.
The widow Maude manages an undertaking business. She is very methodical in everything she does. She waits for the impending suicides and accidently deaths that she knows will be coming. From each body she keeps their effects. These are the poor unfortunate souls who have tried to ride the falls or swim the whirpool and have failed. Her poor son, since his father died is believed to be touched in the head and mute. He can say some words. He knows alot more than people think.
All of these people end up bound in some way to each other and bound by the Whirlpool itself. Very different, yet enjoyable read. I recommend this book highly.