Miriam Körner with one of her sled dogs at her home near La Ronge. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

New Book

Northern author launching latest novel at upcoming reading

Apr 10, 2019 | 4:58 PM

Local author Miriam Körner is inviting residents to celebrate the launch of her new book Qaqavii at a reading Thursday at La Ronge’s Alex Robertson Public Library.

“It’s about a young girl whose mom believes in the geographical cure, so if things don’t go right, she packs up, leaves and drags her daughter to where ever she feels like,” Körner said. “They end up being in Churchill, Manitoba and Emmylou [she] doesn’t want to be there until she meets a young inuk who is training sled dogs for the arctic festival.”

Following the theme of other novels she has written, Quqavii is a narration of the northern landscape and the people who make it their home. The story also includes a coming of age theme as Emmylou is able to get out on the land and finds herself that way. At first the character doesn’t feel like she fits in and doesn’t understand why.

“At the same time, Emmylou learns there are different ways of seeing the world by spending time with an Inuit family,” Körner said. “she also comes to realize Canada doesn’t have the nice history as she thought it had.”

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It took two years for Körner to write Qaqavii, which she worked on during her write/artist residency last year at the Alex Robertson Public Library. The experience enabled her to work on the novel for 50 per cent of the residency, while assisting locals with their work or organizing workshops for the remainder of the time. Before her time at the library, Körner stated she had already finished the first draft and really felt honoured to be able to do much of the editing process during her stay.

Qaqavii is the latest novel by Miriam Körner. (submitted photo/Miriam Körner)

The book launch will begin at 7 p.m. with a short reading by Körner. She also recommends Qaqavii for anyone 13 years and up.

Books are available for purchase at Robertson Trading Ltd. in La Ronge or Lac La Ronge Visitor Centre in Air Ronge. Körner is also the author of the 2016 novel Yellow Dog, which was nominated for several awards.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno