Please join us on Zoom for a Book Chat with Harriet Zaidman presenting her new book What Friends Are For, on Wednesday, September 9 at 7PM.
Harriet Zaidman is an award-winning author based in Winnipeg. She writes historical fiction with stories ranging from the Winnipeg General Strike to the outbreak of polio in the 50’s. Her latest novel, “What Friends Are For”, tells an important and controversial story.
“It’s set in 1983. Dr. Henry Morgantaler, who was a doctor, had decided that he would challenge the abortion laws in Canada at the time. And, he set up a clinic here,” Zaidman explained. The abortion laws that were in place since 1969 created a lot of barriers for women, pushing medical professionals to perform surgeries outside the law. The main character is a 15-year-old small-town girl, who, along with her family and friends, takes part in protests against an abortion clinic, until that distant issue becomes a part of her life. This plot line, Zaidman says, is based on real stories.
“What Friends Are For” has been a bestseller for several weeks on the McNally bestsellers list, with some readers purchasing the book before its official launch.