St. Albert author K.J.K. Edgeworth has written a historical novel that depicts the tempestuous history of early 20th century Saskatchewan.
Shadows of Our Former Selves, released in December 2024, combines fiction with real-life historical events drawn from Edgeworth’s ancestor's experiences.
His great-grandparents originally immigrated from Lancashire, England coal mining region to Saskatchewan’s Bienfait, Estevan and Carlyle area where coal mining was prominent.
“They came after World War I. Living in the United Kingdom was pretty bad. The taxes were high, and it was difficult. My great-grandfather and his eldest son found employment in southern Saskatchewan. It was a large family and some followed him,” said Edgeworth.
Edgeworth's mother and older brother were born in southern Saskatchewan. His ties developed during the annual two months of summer vacation visiting his grandparents.
“I met family friends, uncles and cousins. And living with my grandparents, I listened to the stories they told. In those days, small prairie towns didn’t have internet service, and there wasn’t much for teenagers to do. Friends would come over, you put a pot of coffee on and told stories,” Edgeworth said.
The historical fiction spans from the 1920s to the 1950s and explores critical moments in the area's history including the 1931 Estevan Riot dubbed Black Tuesday. The miners were striking for better wages and living conditions. In a violent confrontation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, four miners were killed and many others injured.
Like a fly on the wall, Edgeworth absorbed the family lore which also included following the South Saskatchewan Regiment through its Second World War training and battles. The novel also includes the 1942 Dieppe Raid, a disastrous Allied amphibious attack on the German-occupied port in France.
“The riot in Estevan was my great-grandfather's story,” said Edgeworth. He added a great-uncle served with the South Saskatchewan Regiment and his experiences are also part of the novel.
The author’s great-grandfather had a brother, Thomas who died, but was only recently discovered by the family. Edgeworth has resurrected Thomas, and through his eyes we see world events woven together with family lore.
The author also discovered his great-grandfather's youngest sister Mary Peace had died as a youngster and incorporated her in the family saga.
“She was the only one in the family that had a middle name. I was told she was special from birth. She was described as an angel.”
Edgework spent 38 years as a high school social and history teacher working with Edmonton Public. He wrote technical papers, study guides and exams. But he also wrote for himself, and many family stories parked themselves in his head.
After retiring from teaching, he put pen to paper and was surprised at how quickly the novel came together. He contacted a couple of publishers before finding The Book Publishing Solutions that published the 327-page paperback.
Edgeworth calls himself an “accidental published author” who had not intended for it to happen. Yet the publishers were so impressed by his rough manuscript, they mounted a New York Times Square advertising campaign.
“To see my grandmother’s image on the front cover and to see it in Times Square is something I never thought would happen.”
He is also hosting a writer’s group program on Saturday, April 5 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sustained silent writing for 30 minutes followed by peer review support. The emphasis is on process, not product. Fee $20. For information visit https://kjkedgeworth.com/.
