West of the Rideau is a fictional account of a young boy who comes from a dysfunctional family and must make his way in the world of 1960. He is homeless, without funds, and carries his worldly belongings in a bag and guitar case. Overview: LIAM DANIEL BRANNIGAN is cast out of his home at age 13 by his alcoholic father, THOMAS BRANNIGAN, when the latter has lost possession of his home and must move to smaller rental quarters. Danny's mother, Norma, is out of the picture and living with a fellow so there is no shelter with ...
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West of the Rideau is a fictional account of a young boy who comes from a dysfunctional family and must make his way in the world of 1960. He is homeless, without funds, and carries his worldly belongings in a bag and guitar case. Overview: LIAM DANIEL BRANNIGAN is cast out of his home at age 13 by his alcoholic father, THOMAS BRANNIGAN, when the latter has lost possession of his home and must move to smaller rental quarters. Danny's mother, Norma, is out of the picture and living with a fellow so there is no shelter with her. Danny wishes to find a place to work and go to school to complete his education. He inquires at the dairy farm of a previous summer employer, BRADEN FITZROY, himself an Irish orphan who was adopted by a Canadian family and eventually inherited the farm. BRADEN has a soft heart for a homeless boy and hires Danny to milk the cows twice daily for room and board and a small wage. He may also attend school during the day providing the milking gets done. Also occupying the farmhouse are JORDY and DEE, brother and sister, and Jordy's two children and they rent the upper floor of the house. Jordy, a friendly alcoholic, works in town and Dee, a tall, buxom woman of 22, looks after the home and the children. Dee intends to marry Braden as he is a good catch for an aspiring young woman and he is ardent about her. Conflict surfaces when Dee feels drawn to Danny. Adjusting to his new life, Danny meets a cast of colourful characters in the shady, tree-lined lanes of rural Rideau: the bootlegger, a damaged veteran; his wife who entertains the local troops; the VANSTONES, upstanding members of the community who benevolently take in 3 English orphans, the CUTTER teenagers- GEORGE, DONNY, and MARIE- and work them hard; the independent retired teacher, ELEANOR MATHESON, who runs her own show on her farm; the doctor with a secret and his wife, MRS. MAITLAND, who settles for less than a full marriage. There are the women who are dissatisfied with their relationships and seek relief elsewhere: MOIRA, REGINA, IRINA. Then there is the high school crowd complete with the sport jocks, bullies, the nerds, and the musical world of rock and roll, led by band leader, DAVE KINGLY, whom Danny befriends. Not to mention the young first year teacher, MISS LINDA THORNTON, who likes him a lot. Danny Brannigan learns many lessons in life: hard work, high school politics and prejudices; a variety of relationships with girls and women, sex and survival. His saving graces are: love of reading, rock and roll music and playing his guitar, and a penchant for philosophical quotes to guide his beliefs. Comedy, tragedy, erotica, and adolescent fun weave the story. That is, until Norma, his mother, enters the picture with her paramour, 'Squirrel' and changes everything for Danny. Then the world tilts for Danny Brannigan and he is going down the road again.
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