Garfield McRae

Waiting for the Music

Waiting for the Music is a poignant coming-of-age story that follows the ups and downs of a boy growing up in the prairies. Over two decades, from the late 1930s to the late 1950s, we follow Benjamin Timothy as he faces various challenges in life and tries to forge his own path from childhood to adolescence and into adulthood. From early life in a small rural town to working in the big city, Benjamin navigates various relationships and the complexities of a dysfunctional family. After losing his father to World War II, he witnesses the decline of his mentally unstable mother, endures abuse from his cousin, finds and loses friends, and eventually pursues his dream of becoming a schoolteacher. This literary work will resonate with anyone who’s grown up on the prairies—or any closeknit community—and struggled through trying times to overcome a childhood fraught with loss and grief. Benjamin’s search for independence springs forth with a universal message of hope and redemption—as he finally hears the music.

Garfield McRae grew up on the prairies and his love of that landscape and way of life is infused in his writing. His previously published short-story collection, A Room on the River, garnered praise from one of Canada’s most lauded literary figures, Margaret Laurence. He’s also won prizes in the Canadian Authors Association’s Lady Eaton Short Story Contest and the Winnipeg Writers’ Society writing competition. His play “A Game for Three” won second prize in the full-length category of the Manitoba Arts Council playwriting contest. Waiting for the Music is his latest work of literary fiction. McRae lives in the Osborne Village neighbourhood in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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