Early Voices: Portraits of Canada by Women Writers - Historical

In this review of Early Voices: Portraits of Canada by Women Writers, 1639-1914 the bottom line is simple: this anthology is essential for readers who want a grounded, intimate view of Canada through womens own words. Compiled by Mary Alice Downie Errington, the collection brings together 29 pieces that span colonial beginnings to the early 20th century and offers a range of perspectives-from an Icelandic immigrant and a fisherman's wife in Labrador to high-born governors generals wives-making it a singular resource for history lovers, students, and anyone curious about how women helped shape the country.

Key Features

• Chronological breadth: The anthology covers writings from 1639 to 1914, giving readers a long view of change and continuity in Canadian life.
• Geographic range: Selections come from the Maritimes, British Columbia and the Far North, showing how regional experience shaped women's lives.
• Diverse voices: Contributions include professional writers, amateurs, immigrants and settlers, offering multiple social perspectives on the same historical moments.
• Personal detail: Firsthand items such as a Loyalist wife's account of New Brunswick weather and a seasick nun's voyage provide vivid, human context for historical events.
• Cultural insight: Pieces like a German general's wife's description of habitant customs give readers access to social observations rarely collected in standard histories.

Who It's For

This anthology is best for readers of Canadian literature, historians seeking primary-source voices, and students working on gender, migration, or regional studies who want compact, readable excerpts rather than dense academic analysis. It also suits general readers who appreciate memoir, letters and personal essays because the material is intimate and often narrative in tone.

Those looking for exhaustive scholarly apparatus, complete original texts, or modern critical essays might look elsewhere; the book is curated to present representative portraits and human detail rather than to replace archival research or provide extensive annotation.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Broad temporal scope lets readers trace developments from the 1600s through the early 1900s.
• Regional variety gives a more complete sense of Canadas geographical diversity in women's experience.
• Includes both famous and obscure writers, which enriches the historical record with lesser-known voices.

Cons

• As a curated selection, it does not include full scholarly notes or exhaustive sourcing for each piece, which may limit academic use.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Early Voices is a valuable anthology for anyone seeking firsthand female perspectives on Canada's formation, offering readable, varied accounts that illuminate daily life, migration and social customs. It is good value for readers who want primary-source richness and human detail rather than exhaustive scholarly apparatus, and it stands as a useful classroom supplement or companion for personal reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book include full texts or excerpts?
The book presents selected writings and excerpts chosen to illustrate a range of voices rather than complete collected works.

What time period do the writings cover?
The selections span from 1639 to 1914, covering early colonial to early 20th century experiences.

Are the writers identified by region?
Yes; the anthology draws material from across the country, including the Maritimes, British Columbia and the Far North.