274. BOOK TOUR: Arn? Narn. by Bruce Meisterman
Pages: 165
Ages: 18+
Finished: Oct. 15, 2012
First Published: Oct. 1, 2012
Publisher: John Gosslee Books
Genre: photo-documentary, coffee table book, fishing industry, Newfoundland
Rating: 4/5
First sentence: "When you're twenty years ahead of the curve, it really doesn't matter that you're right."
Publisher's Summary: "Arn? Narn. is photographer Bruce Meisterman s first book. Arn? Narn. chronicles Canada s Newfoundland Island fishing culture on the road to its unfortunate demise. The black and white photography and interviews conducted by Meisterman showcase a community earmarked by minimalist living and deep community bonds, but broken by the cod's disappearance."
Bruce Meisterman is a photographer and the beauty of this book is in the photography. The text is sparse. Each chapter starts with a minimal yet informative narrative on topic and then the often full page photographs tell the rest of the story. Meisterman tells the story of the end of cod fishing in Newfoundland, the moratorium put on the industry in 1996 and the effect that has had on the fishing industry and the people. He explains that fishing is not just an industry to Newfoundlanders but a way of life born into these island people, a cultural heritage that defines their history, art, music, dance and craft. He paints a grim picture that is mostly blamed on over-fishing, government mismanagement, and greed. But as anyone knows who has visited Newfoundland (I haven't) or knows a "Newfie" (I've known several) they can tell you that Newfoundlanders are not a downhearted people. They are down-to-earth people with no pretensions, full of the joy of life with a sense of humour and love of the folk arts born into them. Meisterman also tries to convey this in his book and succeeds to a point.
The choice of black and white photography both aids and hinders the author's objectives. The desolate, stark countryside is powerfully represented in this medium, especially the winter scenes with the snow and ice along with the sandy shores of the lonely beaches and yet the beauty of the land is missing when we cannot see the green of the foliage and colours of wildflowers growing close to the ground on the rock. The death of the fishing industry is brought home with the b/w photos of clapboard homes, churches and graveyards and yet the life essence of the people is missing when we cannot see the bright colours used to paint houses, lighthouses, murals and folk art signs. Also the revelry of a kitchen party is missing when shown in black and white and yet the contrast between the joy of the people and the poverty of the economy is marked in this medium. An enchanting book with a sad tale told with optimism, but one that does not end on a sad note.
"Even now, Newfoundland is moving into its new reality...The Newfoundland spirit is anything if not indomitable. A people who came to live at terms with the sea will find their way here as well."
As nice a sentiment it is that Newfoundlanders "are down-to-earth people with no pretensions, full of the joy of life with a sense of humour and love of the folk arts born into them" it's a bit of a generalization. I just don't want you to disappointed when you visit Newfoundland and meet a jerk ;)
ReplyDelete(I'm a Newfoundlander, by the way!)
Love the title. I'm guessing it was explained in the book, but for the sake of your readers, it's often said that this is the shortest conversation you can have in Newfoundland which roughly translates to:
"Do you have any?" (Arn is a sort of patois for "Either one?")
"I have none." (Or "Neither one.")
By the way, I used to think it sad when I visited my home town and saw the boarded up houses. The town was but a shadow of its former self. But it's gotten much worse. An unexpected and unfortunate consequence of the tourism push is that wealthy people who visit and think it so "quaint" are purchasing all those boarded up houses. They replace the windows, paint them up in pretty colours. Sounds good right? Except they only stay there a couple weeks out of the year and the town becomes a stereotype of itself. Worse still, it causes prices to go up. Many of those Newfoundlanders who wanted to go home can no longer afford to; the people who live there permanently suffer rising taxes; new fences block people from traditional hiking trails and berry picking grounds. Oh yes, it's gotten much worse. English sometimes differs in Newfoundland, but money talks the same everywhere. Unfortunately.
John - Thanks for your comments! I think you will appreciate the tone of this book. I have a very good from from Newfoundland and I gifted him this book and he loved the photography! He's from St. Mary's Bay, his whole family still lives there!
ReplyDeleteI guess I was generalizing but all the Newfoundlanders I've met so far have been a blast to know. They have a genuineness about them. But I'm sure the province has its fair share of jerks too! LOL. Not that you could possibly be one.
When I was a young army wife there were a lot of "newfies" in my ex-husband's regiment and since we lived in an apartment across from the barracks we became the go-to social gathering place every weekend. Some would show up with guitars/fiddles and it is a time of my life I'll never forget.