By Ewa Chwojko-Srawley
Andrew Sibbald returns with another captivating story, Briars Believed. Set in the summer of 1919, it follows thirteen-year-old Emily, the daughter of employees at The Briars, who unexpectedly finds herself in charge of seven-year-old Jackie Sibbald.
Jackie, a spirited Métis boy far from his wilderness home, is sometimes—as Emily puts it— “trouble with a capital T.” Yet their unlikely friendship blossoms, even as outside pressures threaten to pull them apart.
As in his first novel, The Briars Between, Sibbald skillfully intertwines fictional characters with real historical figures. For those familiar with Georgina’s past, it is fascinating to see local figures come alive on the page.
The fictional characters are carefully constructed and highly credible, a testament to the author’s deep archival research and his ability to capture the spirit of the time.
Although the story unfolds through the eyes of a young girl, it doesn’t shy away from the looming reality of post-war struggles and economic hardship. At the same time, the novel celebrates the natural beauty of Lake Simcoe and its surroundings.
Emily’s friendship with children from Georgina Island, and with Chinese and Jewish neighbours, highlights how cultural differences enrich their world. Children accept one another instinctively, in contrast to the politics that often keeps adults apart. The message here is one of respect, acceptance, and the simple wisdom found in a child’s perspective.
Andrew Sibbald, a descendant of the family which has cared for The Briars for more than 140 years, weaves in family stories and local lore. All the stories are set in Georgina, where many of the buildings mentioned are still standing. Reading the book feels like taking a delightful walk through time with a map in hand.
What makes the novel especially engaging is Sibbald’s talent as a storyteller and historian, as well as his evident love of language. He balances matter-of-fact narrative with poetic description, weaving in folk songs and lyrical passages. There are also vivid depictions of the plants, birds, and landscapes he knows so well from childhood days spent canoeing on Black River.
Readers will enjoy history brought to life with warmth and imagination. Briars Believed is a rewarding journey.
The book will be available at the end of September. To learn more about the author’s extensive research, visit the website and subscribe to his newsletter. https://www.andrewsibbald.ca
- The Canadian Moose are off to Vietnam - October 11, 2025
- Province set to ban speed cameras, as Town defends their use - October 9, 2025
- Celebrating the harvest: A look back at farming in Georgina - October 8, 2025
