War, friendship and mental health at core of Graham’s historical fiction

If you grew up in Canada in the 1960s, you’ll likely enjoy Genevieve Graham’s latest novel, set in Toronto and Vietnam during that time period. And even if you didn’t, fans of historical fiction will likely be entertained.

Graham, who lives in Alberta, is the bestselling author of 12 works of historical fiction. She focuses mostly on Canada, often turning up little tidbits of lesser-known history.

On Isabella Street spotlights two women who are polar opposites in character and who are strangers at the novel’s outset. The two accidentally meet, and discover they live on the same floor of an apartment building on Isabella Street in downtown Toronto. A long-lasting friendship develops between the two.

Sassy is a young woman who aspires to be a folk musician, is full of life and loves the hippie lifestyle. Marion, a psychiatrist at an Ontario mental hospital, is about 10 years older, quiet and reserved.

Beyond the two main characters, in On Isabella Street Graham tackles the Vietnam War, the ‘60s culture, women’s rights, deinstitutionalization (the closing down of mental hospitals and replacing them with small community centres), the devastating mental and physical effects of war, homelessness and more.

Marion meets Daniel, a patient at the mental hospital where she works, who has lost an eye and has other physical injuries from the war; he also suffers mentally. Although he is basically a caring and thoughtful man, the war has made Daniel very aggressive.

Marion treats Daniel and tries to help him with what would now likely be termed post traumatic stress disorder. In doing so, she becomes intrigued by this handsome, brave and difficult-to-reach veteran.

She is also angered by the government’s plans for deinstitutionalization, and is especially worried about her patients, some of whom are veterans and have nobody to support them. She fears they will end up homeless.

With nothing to eat and nowhere to sleep, Marion worries the vets won’t be able to remember to take their medications. She prophesizes that some may be forced to turn to crime as a way to survive, and fears there will be more violence on the streets — which, tragically, becomes a reality.

Both Marion and Sassy have such a strong relationship that they influence and shape each other’s personalities. Calm, reserved Marion becomes more like brave and energetic Sassy, and Sassy in turn becomes more like Marion. Some of these changes seem a tad hard to believe.

Much of the novel focuses on the Vietnam War, as Sassy’s younger brother Joey, who is Canadian, signs up with the U.S. Marines. Sassy is devastated that he is fighting and doesn’t believe in war. Their father, himself a Second World War veteran, is equally torn apart.

As usual, Graham has done a lot of research; the reader may often find they are learning something new about this period of Canadian history that they did not know before. Graham shows how returning veterans were treated terribly upon their return to Canada, and that many suffered a myriad of mental issues. Marion’s father struggles with his own demons from having served in the war.

Graham includes research notes and interesting historical information at the end of On Isabella Street, while the novel generally uses uncomplicated language, making it a very easy read.

With a focus on courage, friendships and the men in Marion and Sassy’s lives, the connections between the pair and the other residents of Isabella Street all come out at the end, making Graham’s story a heartwarming, uplifting and ultimately rewarding read.

Cheryl Girard is an Interlake writer.