Pastoral

Pastoral is a Canadian novel written by André Alexis. The novel was published in 2014 by Coach House Books. It is the first in a five novel Quincunx Cycle that Alexis used to examine faith, place, love, power and hatred and deals with the theme of faith. Alexis wrote the novel in 2009 but was unable to find a publisher for multiple years. He cited his mother and his sister as the reasons why he was encouraged to keep searching for a publisher as both loved the novel. The book was inspired by Beethoven's Sixth Symphony also known as the Pastoral Symphony. Plot An Ottawa born priest, Father Christopher Pennant, is given a parish in Barrow in Lambton County. He accidentally becomes embroiled in the love affairs of two of his younger parishioners. Elizabeth Denny, an orphan, seeks guidance from Pennant when she discover her fiancé Robbie Myers is having an affair with his teenage sweetheart Jane Richardson. Upon being discovered he affirms that he loves them both equally, something that everyone he speaks to doubts. Upset, Elizabeth goes to Jane and asks her to get Robbie to walk through the town, completely nude, to get a haircut. Elizabeth reasons that if Robbie loves Jane more he will do it but the humiliation of having done so will allow Elizabeth some measure of revenge. Jane is able to persuade Robbie to walk nude and Elizabeth ends their engagement. Feeling exhilarated by what he has done Robbie thinks it is in his best interest to marry Jane, but she tires of him soon after and after a final fight which turns physical she leaves Barrow forever, making her way to Toronto. Robbie then decides that Jane was crazy and he should marry Elizabeth after all. She consents to their re-engagement, but privately tells herself that she will only decide whether to go through with the marriage on the wedding day.