"A powerful exploration of the realities of alcohol fuelled family dysfunction." Andrew Peacock, Creatures of the Rock
On a chilly day in mid-September, Peter, Cathy, Ida, and Ash ? four siblings who haven't shared a room in almost ten years ? all get a troubling call: their father has suddenly died.
They are called back to their rural family home to settle his affairs, execute his funeral, and possibly re-tie the strained bonds of their relationships. But upon arriving they discover that they each have very different views on who their father even was.
Some remember a volatile alcoholic, while others recall a sweet man who always had the right thing to say.
Cathy sets out on a mission to write the perfect eulogy for her father, to sum up a good man's good life, while Peter conspires to ruin the event in one final spiteful act of revenge against the man who he feels ruined his life.
"Four Funerals simmers with rage, grief, and the frustrated disappointment of everything left unsaid."
Jennifer Shelby, Care and Feeding of your Little Banned Bookshop
"An assured and rewarding novel, the kind that will stay on your bookshelf along with your other favourites."
Paul Butler, Re-Lit nominated author of Cupids
Autorentext
Matthew holds an Honours Degree in English from the Memorial University of Newfoundland with a minor in Anthropology and studied Journalism at College of the North Atlantic in Stephenville, Newfoundland. He has worked with Transcontinental Publishing as well as student-youth magazine The Troubadour.
He has written sixteen novels for Engen Books, Black Womb, Transformations in Pain, Smoke and Mirrors, Roulette, Ghosts of the Past, Ignorance is Bliss, Becoming, Inner Child, Gang War, Chains, The Long Road, Cinders, Sinister Intent, Infinity, The Tourniquet Reprisal and Exodus of Angels.
Since 2007 he has traveled all over Canada promoting his work as well as teaching seminars on writing and publishing. He also helps young Newfoundland authors become published through Engen Books.