Grit A-Plenty: A Tale of the Labrador Wild

by Dillon Wallace

"Grit A-Plenty: A Tale of the Labrador Wild" by Dillon Wallace is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the Angus family, particularly focusing on Thomas, his children—including the brave Jamie, who faces the challenge of impending blindness—and Doctor Joe, who is a crucial neighbor in their close-knit community. The novel explores themes of resilience, the struggles of frontier life in the harsh Labrador wilderness, and the deep bonds between family and friends as they navigate their daily challenges. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Thomas Angus and his family living in their cozy cabin, referred to as The Jug, situated in the wilds of Labrador. The family is depicted as hardy and content, but their tranquility is disrupted when young Jamie begins to suffer from a mysterious affliction that clouds his vision. The local doctor, affectionately called Doctor Joe, suspects that Jamie might go blind if he doesn’t receive surgery to alleviate the condition. The family’s struggle to gather the necessary resources for the surgery becomes a central element of the story, leading to the boys setting off on a quest to trap fur in the wilderness, working with the enigmatic Indian Jake. The opening sets the stage for the boys’ adventures and the emotional investment required to save Jamie's sight, threading a narrative of grit and determination against a backdrop of natural beauty and peril.