Alistair MacLeod's first novel, No Great Mischief, is a powerful, intricate piece of Canadian literature which the author more than ten years to complete. MacLeod's well-defined structure and clear writing style carefully weave together the memories of the MacDonald family through the narration of Alexander MacDonald, our protagonist. <Tab/>A middle-aged Alexander examines the past of his immediate family and ancestry, dating back to 1779 when his great-great-great grandfather Calum moved his …showed first 75 words of 843 total…

…showed last 75 words of 843 total…an intricate tapestry, sure to fascinate all who read along with its colorful threads. The contrasting images are powerful and MacLeod's use of the English and Gaelic language and dialogue in telling this story is excellent. This is not a book to be read only once, for the impact of the pictures left in the minds and hearts of readers will inspire a second dive back into the pages of this novel again and again.