Brother Frank's Gospel Hour, and Other Stories by W. P. Kinsella
"Brother Frank's Gospel Hour, and Other Stories" by W. P. Kinsella is a collection that revisits characters from his previous Ermineskin series, particularly focusing on the evolving friendship between Silas, a writer, and his charismatic friend Frank. This collection showcases a blend of humor and seriousness as it delves into diverse themes through the antics of its lovable misfit characters, who navigate life in western Canada. The stories capture Frank's comical exploits, including a cattle-insemination court case and a disruptive gospel radio show, while also exploring deeper issues such as child abuse in "Dream Catcher," and the complexities of gender identity in "Ice Man." Additionally, the narrative touches on environmental concerns in "The Rain Birds," highlighting the impact of corporate farming. Overall, the collection has been well-received for its candid examination of human imperfections and creativity, making it a multifaceted exploration of life and relationships within a unique cultural context.
Brother Frank's Gospel Hour, and Other Stories by W. P. Kinsella
Excerpted from an article in Magill’s Survey of World Literature, Revised Edition
First published: 1994
Type of work: Short stories
The Work
In this book, Kinsella revisits the characters from the Ermineskin series. The evolving relationship between Silas, who has become a writer, and his buddy Frank is the focus of this collection. The characters have grown since they appeared in The Fencepost Chronicles and The Miss Hobbema Pageant, but they are no less raucous. Kinsella follows his lovable misfits as they swindle their way across western Canada, generally wreaking havoc.
“Bull” chronicles Frank’s battle with the Alberta Supreme Court in a uproarious cattle-insemination case. Frank, a witty con artist, is also at the center of the title story, in which he turns a government-sponsored gospel radio show upside down. In “Miracle on Manitoba Street,” Frank again concocts an illicit scheme as he visits a Montana reservation and carves the image of the Virgin Mary into a Frigidaire, convincing the locals that it is a miracle, one that they should have to pay to see. “Dream Catcher,” one of Kinsella’s more serious stories, explores the realities of child abuse, as Silas’s twelve-year-old sister is assaulted. “Ice Man” raises questions about gender and identity, as Jason Twelve Trees tries to take part in a cooking competition while his father presses him to become a mechanic. Finally, “The Rain Birds” is a story that is deeply concerned with environmental issues, particularly the effects of corporate farming on the human and natural environment in western Canada. For the most part, critics have embraced Brother Frank’s Gospel Hour, and Other Stories, praising it for its honest portrayal of human flaws and shortcomings and calling it a showcase for the creativity of the human spirit.
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