Latest book from Nova Scotia author Allison Maher is a surprising first entry into adult fiction
Nova Scotia author Allison Maher made the jump from young adult (YA) to adult fiction with her most recent novel, “The Last of the Firsts” and the response from readers has been a surprise for the writer.
“It’s not my first novel I’ve written but it’s the first time that it’s taken off with such incredible trajectory,” Maher said.
“The Last of the Firsts” launched Wednesday in retail stores, but it’s been available for purchase on Amazon.
“In the first month it’s been out, I keep getting these best-seller badges,” Maher said.
Maher was the best-selling women’s writer in Canada during the month, the best-selling YA writer in Canada and had the best-selling Canadian collections.
“That can’t be right,” Maher said in jest during an interview with CTV Morning Live.
Maher said the book is about a boy named Thor who loses his mother and has to go live with an aunt who might be crazy.
“It’s the journey through the first year of grief,” Maher said. Thor goes through a series of milestones without his mother during the year to get to “the last of the firsts.”
Maher said it is an emotional book.
“I wrote it to be a fantastic story, but, accidentally woven through it are little pearls of information that we don’t ever get to find out about in grieving because we don’t talk about it.”
Maher said she chose the subject of the book because of a friend who lost a parent and couldn’t escape their sorrow. A conversation with another friend, a psychologist, led her to explore the subject of grief.
“Nobody will talk about those things, but they’re completely natural,” Maher said. “Instead of hiding it under the bushes, I thought I should put it in this book and bring it right out so people who are going through the grieving process can say, ‘oh, well, I’m not crazy. This actually does happen to other people too.’”
Maher is also a farmer who is grateful for the break writing has given her from another kind of hard work.
“Fighting with Mother Nature is just a nightmare,” Maher said. “If you just have a little keyboard, it doesn’t need a fence. You don’t have to fence it in. You don’t have to fertilize your keyboard. You don’t have to have 12 other employees that actually show up to work today to pick your keyboard. You can just sit down. It’s great.”
“The Last of the Firsts” is available on Amazon and in stores. For those who missed the first of Maher’s book launch events earlier in the week, the last one will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mic Mac Bar and Grill in Dartmouth, N.S., on Sunday.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It looks quite real': Two Ontarians lose money to fake phone scam
About 85 per cent of Canadians have a smartphone and once you have one they’re hard to live without. The latest smartphones can cost as much as $2,000, so if you’re trying to save money, make sure you don’t get caught in a fake smartphone scam.
America reaches Election Day and a stark choice between Trump and Harris
A presidential campaign marked by upheaval and rancor approached its finale on Election Day as Americans decided whether to send Donald Trump back to the White House or elevate Kamala Harris to the Oval Office.
New homeowners find skeleton in attic 15 years after previous occupant disappeared
Homeowners in France have discovered a skeleton in the attic of an outbuilding while undertaking renovation work.
Inflation is down, wages are up. Why are Canadians still frustrated with the economy?
The federal finance minister has been taking every opportunity to remind frustrated Canadians that after a bumpy pandemic recovery, the nation's economy is actually doing a lot better.
Elon Musk's US$1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes can proceed, a Pennsylvania judge says
The US$1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes that Elon Musk's political action committee is hosting in swing states can continue through Tuesday's presidential election, a Pennsylvania judge ruled Monday.
Tim Hortons parent Restaurant Brands misses sales estimates on muted demand
Restaurant Brands missed estimates for quarterly revenue on Tuesday due to weak demand across key businesses such as Tim Hortons, Burger King and international markets including China and the Middle East.
U.S. election officials say voting should be smooth and urge people not to be misled by conspiracy theories
Election officials across the U.S. – particularly in swing states – have pledged to uphold the integrity of the vote and urged voters not to be misled by conspiracy theories.
Harris and Trump tie in Dixville Notch midnight vote to kick off Election Day
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former U.S. president Donald Trump have tied with three votes each in the tiny New Hampshire township of Dixville Notch, kicking off Election Day in one of the first places in the country to report its presidential preference.
Months after VRBO booking, Taylor Swift fan told home 'not available' during Vancouver concert
A frustrated Taylor Swift fan is speaking out after being pushed from a short-term rental she booked for the upcoming Vancouver leg of the superstar’s Eras Tour.