Although, it is set in a historical context, it is largely antithetical to the British Columbia of today. If there is to be any criticism of this book, it may be that it lacks “diversity” and it is indeed largely WASP, with both Maisie’s father and grandfather being Anglican ministers. Maisie’s anger over the circumstances of the summer lead to an interesting plot climax and Pearson provides a very satisfying and surprising ending that provides comfort and assurance to both Maisie and the reader. With delicate foreshadowing, Pearson makes it quite clear that Maisie’s rejection by Una is much bigger than it first appears, and that Maisie is also conflicted by her own feelings towards boys in general.

She has discovered boys and is infatuated with David Meyer who has been invited to the Island because he has recently suffered the loss of his father. She cannot wait to get away from her father’s depression and her mother’s desperation.īut all is not the same this summer as Una has arrived from Vancouver and has changed into a sophisticated young woman beyond the games that she and Maisie had always enjoyed. Things have not been good at home since her father, an Anglican rector returned from service in Holland in WWII. Maisie has just finished grade nine in Duncan BC and is desperate to get to Kingfisher Island to spend the summer with her best friend and cousin, Una as she has done ever since she was small. Set in the very early 1950s, this is Maisie’s story. “Be My Love” is a classic coming of age novel with a twist by the award winning and always reliable, Kit Pearson.

Be My Love by Kit Pearson