Wonder World by K. R. Byggdin

Wonder World by K.R.Byggdin is set to be the hottest new queer dance-musical sensation. Well, maybe not but, it really ought to be. Wonder World is reminiscent of Footloose, but the conflicts are genuine, the dialogue is original, and the main character is so refreshingly humble and perceptive.

This book is a sweet and hopeful story about a small-town, piano-playing queer kid brilliantly named Isaac Funk. The son of the town pastor, Isaac Funk (such a great name) returns home to his small prairie town in Manitoba after spending a decade in Halifax, having inherited his late grandfather’s now-shuttered animal farm “Wonder World”. During his trip home, he finds that his uncle, who is also the town mayor and current church leader that had Isaac ex-communicated, wants to turn the farm into a residential and commercial development.

“What about the farmhouse?”
“You mean our new strip mall” the mayor corrects me.

His aunt, however, dreams of making the property into a queer retreat, a holiday resort in the middle of Canada where queer folks can feel safe and be themselves.

“Even came up with a business plan to turn the farm into a retreat centre… Build some nice cabins for people to stay in.”

Nevertheless, the property now belongs to Isaac. If he chooses the development, he will be rich, and he will be able to move away from this town and leave his past behind.

“Goodbye student loans, credit card debt, shitty rentals with asshole landlords. This is my chance to start over.”

However, Isaac is thoughtful about what change can mean for people in small towns

“What this town has done, it’s like pickling people. Taking us when we’re young and fresh and vulnerable, sticking us in a jar and filling us with all these rules they hope will preserve us from the rotting decay of worldliness.”
“…I need someplace where I belong. And the longer I’m here, the more I realize that Wonder World is that place. Not just for me, but for everyone like me too.”

Wonder World is the encouraging and inspired queer triumph story that we all deserve. Prepare to be uplifted.

K.R. Byggdin grew up on the Prairies and now lives on the East Coast. They recently completed studies in English and Creative Writing at Dalhousie University. Their writing has appeared in anthologies and journals across Canada, the UK, and New Zealand. Wonder World is their first novel.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Enfield & Wizenty (April 15 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1773370731
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1773370736

Sarah Marie

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