Join us at the Point Roberts Library as Stewart Goodings reads from his latest book, My Friend, My Enemy, November 14 5-6:30.

Goodings is a former federal and provincial civil servant and international consultant. He lives in Comox and My Friend, My Enemy is his first novel. In his spare time, he helps to organize a literary festival on Denman Island, and has read several short works at that festival. He was inspired to write this novel by being part of many technical assistance projects in Russia and Ukraine to share Canada’s experience in public administration.

Shauna Sylvester joins us to introduce the author. The two first met when he was a diplomat and she was leading a global media and democracy organization that worked in conflict and post-conflict zones. Their paths crossed again in British Columbia through foreign policy work and close mutual friends. Shauna shares Stewart's interest and background in community engagement, democratic development and peace.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Can a friend also be an enemy?

They spent their childhood summers together near the Caspian Sea, but Nadezhda and Alla lost touch. Twenty years later they were re-united. But Alla had suffered devastating losses in the Russia-Chechnya war, and been recruited for a mission of revenge. Their friendship re-kindled, the two women share a Moscow apartment and find their lives entwined in unexpected and dramatic ways.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

This moving novel is not only the story of life long friendship tested by political violence. It's also a timely reminder of the Russian wars in Chechnya that, though largely forgotten in the West, are devastating precursors to our present crisis.

—Caroline Adderson, author of A Russian Sister

Poignant and passionate, thrilling and troubling! All are encompassed in Gooding’s book which brings to life the challenges of conflicting loyalties to family, friends and country. It also provides a window into the struggles within Russia during the internal conflicts with Chechnya and how they impacted the heroines of this story.

—Mary Collins, PC, former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister, and former advisor to WHO in Russia