pane - 22 = Wednesday, September 27, 1989 - North Shore News Uncle Henry’s Last Stand is actually a joy to read THERE IS nothing more alarming for a jaded, cynical reviewer than fi nding himself enjoying a book about, of all things, love. Surely corporate myopia, politi- cal perfidy, eco-rape and the spec- tre of a nine-per cent General Sales Tax have banished such quaint notions to their proper realm: that of fairy tales and Harlequin romances. Love? As the subject of an in- telligent, modern novel? Is nothing sacred? Denial didn’t wark (pulse rate: .. normal; fever: nil) so it’s hopeless [ suppose: accept the inevitable (if unpalatable) and get on with the | review. : Uncle Henry’s Last Stand is an exceptional work of contemporary fiction, a tale rich in character, di- alogue and, yes, love. Set in Scotland, the story begins with stage two of life’s cruel and successful plot to render 10-year _ old Roderick an orphan: Idealistic and overworked, his father suc: cumbs to a heart attack. Roderick’s.mother had passed on MIKE STEELE book review much @azlier as he recounts in the following: “The paths of my mother and myself crossed only briefly. Within - 50 minutes of safely delivering me into daylight she decided that this . world was not big enough for both of us (f had been a large, late and generaliy awkward baby) and promptly died. | was never entirely sure why she did this but, given my extreme lack of years (or hours), | think 1 may safely assume that it wasn’t something | had said.’’ Having lost both parents, the bright, sensitive and rather bookish young boy is whisked ’ away by well-meaning family friends. ‘Aunt’ Margaret and ‘Uncle’ Peter, childless but well- endowed with all that money can buy, are prime examples of Yup- piedom whose lifestvie