Praise and Reviews
“I love the way Margo Bates captures the essence and
eccentricities of life in a small northern town, as she highlights the
conspiratory relationship between a young girl and her kooky
grandmother. As someone who grew up in the north, I can relate to the
quirky characters and comical scenarios that are so much a part of
small town life. Everyone needs a bit of Nana in their lives!”
Gloria Macarenko, Anchor, CBC Television News
"A funny and fabulous first book! ‘P.S. Don't Tell Your
Mother’ will make anyone who's lived in or visited a small town laugh
out loud. I can't wait for the next one!"
Randene Neill, Anchor, Global Television News
"A rollicking good read that serves up a slice of BC's Wild West as tart and sweet and Grandma Mulvaney's lemon meringue."
Sylvia Taylor, Writer, Editor, Instructor and Regional Director, Federation of BC Writers
"Oral history and storytelling doesn't often easily translate
into the written word. But Margo Bates has done that with this
irreverent account of life in northwestern B.C. in the late 1950s. Told
through the eyes of a young girl with the use of letters between her
and her grandmother, Bates not only lays out the life of a family back
then but provides a social history of the area. That kind of history
all too often gets lost as the years move on and Bates has done a
valuable service by letting us know how things were."
Rod Link, Publisher/Editor, Terrace Standard
"I… found myself chuckling a lot at Maggie's exploits and
observations—[P.S. Don’t Tell Your Mother is] a charming snapshot of
life in the northwest; a warm and amusing peek inside young girl's mind
and her relationship with her opinionated "Nana” and Nana’s adventures
with barn owls, evenings at the Royal Canadian Legion, and grandma
Mulvaney's secret ingredient for her pumpkin pies! And of course that
darned Jehovah! I know these people—I know this place.”
John Crawford, News Director, CFTK Radio/Television, Terrace BC
"Margo Bates has the finest ear for dialogue and human
emotions I've heard since leaving Dixie to read her delightful work.
The woman must be part Southern the way she can tell a story and work
in every delicious detail!!! I loved Nana, Maggie and the entire cast
of characters populating this part-fiction, part real slice of life -
no matter what your country, religion or color - this is as fun as it
gets. So climb on board and get ready for one heck of a ride!”
Susan Reinhardt, Author of the humor best-seller "Not Tonight Honey Wait 'Til I'm a Size 6”
“Margo Bates is one of those rare people with the ability to
put the F-U-N in dysfunctional, even if her family history makes me
wonder about the wisdom of ringing her doorbell.”
Gordon Kirkland, Syndicated Columnist & Entertainer and
Author of “When My Mind Wanders It Brings Back Souvenirs”
"Margo Bates takes you back to 1960 -- a simpler time but one
in which things aren't always as they appear. 'P.S. Don't Tell Your
Mother' provides a fascinating view of the relationship between a
grandmother and granddaughter."
Tim Bete, author of “In The Beginning...There Were No Diapers” and
Director of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
WHAT READERS SAY...
Your book arrived yesterday and I'm enjoying it immensely. I
read in bed last night, on the exercise bike this morning, and even in
the loo. I'd probably read it in the bathtub but don't want to get the
pages all wrinkly.
Your characters are rich, wonderful, and eccentric, and I feel like I'm right there with them. Thank you so much for this!
Jeanie H, Meadow Vista, California
...I just wanted to thank you for making my long weekend
extremely enjoyable! I picked up your book at the library (sorry
didn't buy a copy) quite by chance on Thursday and have spent all my
free time devouring the story since then... (the ice rink so far is my
fave). I love the way you write, the Irish in you is evident. My
favourite authors have always been the Irish ones who weave tales about
colourful characters, (Roddy Doyle especially). Well done, I do hope
there are more like it and I would like to think if we had met then and
there we would have been friends! Bravo!
Angela C., Surrey, British Columbia
Your book left me with so many warm cozy feelings. You were
so lucky to have such a good relationship with your nana. Back to your
book, I can relate totally about the bra stuff. I remember going into
the store with mom and the (thank god) lady measuring me. How
degrading - at least it wasn't a man - poor you. Mostly I remember the
song playing on the radio in the store. "Pretty Woman". Every time I
hear that song guess where my memories go. There were so many good
stories in your book, I can hardly wait till the next one!!!!!
Randy P., Abbotsford, British Columbia
Hello Margo, After reading your splendid book I feel that I
have known you for a long time and dare to take the liberty of this
informal address rather than "Dear Mrs. Bates". My daughter in Prince
George found your book and now it goes around our family as it brings
up many memories of our 54 years in Canada. My wife and two daughters
came with me from The Netherlands in 1952, straight to Prince Rupert.
After we got our first car in 1956 we traveled Highway 16 numerous
times and spend a lot of time with friends at Round Lake. We met a
family that moved there when we were on board of the MV Rijndam as we
came across from Rotterdam to Halifax. We visited the Motel-Restaurant
between here and Terrace numerous times before it got wiped out by a
slide. Your book brought up memories of the best apple-pie we ever
tasted there. Thanks for your time and please let us know if and when
we can expect your next writing.
Harry S., Prince Rupert, British Columbia
I
have just this minute finished reading your book. It is marvelous. My
sister bought it for me for Christmas. I am from Hazelton and the
‘Pikes’ were like family to us. ‘Hank Pike’ and my dad worked together
at the hospital for many, many years. I remember "Mrs. Noonan" very
well … Looking forward to another book soon. Thank you for all the
chuckles.
Anne R., Vancouver Island, British Columbia
"I am an avid reader and coming from South Africa love
to lay my hands on anything Canadian, when I saw your book on my boss’s desk, I told him
to read up and pass on to me. He kindly gave it to me to read first (read in
a couple of evenings), laughing my head off, I have now returned it to him
with rave reviews.
What a lovely, funny and heartwarming book with characters
very easy to relate to. I have told a couple of my friends about your book … would
love … to know when you have another book out."
Tammy R, Vancouver
"To
be honest, I didn’t think I would enjoy it because I didn’t think
it was really my type of book given the type of books I normally read. But,
it was really well done and like any good story, ropes you in till you can’t
put it down and are left very moved. The stories also rang true to some one
like me, coming from a small community. Top job."
Cyrus, London, England (Formerly
from New Zealand)
"This is a wonderful story of a multi-generational family
brought to life through the loving, humourous storytelling of Margo
Bates. The descriptions of the small town life in northern BC and its
characters rings true. My daughter, city born and bred, delighted in
reading the book as much as I did. This is a story of love, acceptance,
tolerance and most of all: family…"
Michelle F., Terrace BC
"I totally enjoyed this easy read of a young girl's
relationship with her eccentric grandmother in the '60s. Lots of
references to stuff from that era that I had forgotten about. Funny.
Perfect choice for a rainy afternoon and a comfy couch. The 'fur
follies' were hilarious - check it out!"
Alison G.
"I LOVED THE BOOK! It was charming and brought a smile to my face many times - good work and great writing!!!"
Susan C., Vancouver BC
"I finished reading your book today, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm already looking forward to the next one."
Susan K., Terrace BC
"Just wanted to say a big congratulations for last night [at
your book launch]… you were in fine form and it was truly a fun event…
lots of people, lots of laughs and best of all, lots of praise for your
book."
Rachael F-Z., Vancouver BC
"Read your book on the beach and thoroughly enjoyed it. It
took me back to my own childhood - first bra experiences and young girl
crushes. It made me remember how simple things were then, how easily we
were pleased and how exciting life could be. Your grandmother's
exploits are hilarious! Makes me wish I had more details about my own
grandmother's bootlegging career. Thanks for the 'laugh out loud' belly
laughs. You'll be interested to know that my 'private' laughing fits
got people interested in what I was reading."
Marlene R., Surrey BC
"What a hoot! [My] friend that was with me that day, read the
book as soon as we got home. She chuckled all the way through it; as we
all did. The book gave me a very good down home feeling. All my best
for future books. I like your sense of humour."
Moira L., Terrace BC
"I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed a book so much! … It was hard
to put down and I found myself racing from letter to letter to hear
more and more of the happenings in Telkwa and the wonderful
relationship between Nana Noonan and Maggie. How I can relate to ‘The
Jehovah’ … I had just such a pest when we lived in the country, and
would hide within the curtains until he would leave. (Fortunately, I
did not have a gun.) I’ll look forward to your next book."
Peg T., Stouffville ON
"Finally picked [your book] up at 1 am a couple of days ago -
didn't put it down, couldn't put it down until I closed the back cover
…!!! Just dragged me deeper and deeper into its world...well done...you
should be very proud of your achievement."
Peter S., London England
"My wife now tells me I am having an ‘M.B.’ moment. In many
cases, I go back to your book, and get involved in reading it, when I
was supposed to do something around the house. Good thing my wife
already read the story, so we can both laugh again."
Tony M., Surrey BC
"Sorry I missed your book launch. I’ve been really sick.
After my husband brought me a copy last night I lay down and opened the
book. As I got to the 'cesspool' incident, I laughed so hard I lost
most of my voice and was coughing so hard I had to put the book down. I
finished it this morning. Congratulations, I know you have a winner on
your hands and I can't wait for your second book."
Judy B., Langley BC
"Charming book. I got so many laughs out of it. It was such a
good read … I was in the hospital for some tests Thursday and Friday
and I had a few hours each day to pass so I took the book. Well of
course, one cannot help but laugh out loud at some of the antics that
went on in the book, especially the one about the CESSPOOL. No one knew
quite why I was splitting a gut laughing so I read a few paragraphs out
loud to the people in the waiting room. I ended up writing out the name
of the book and the author for 7 people. I have given the book to my
mom to read and when she is finished I told my daughter she needs to
read it … My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough and yet it
ended so well. I just wanted more laughs."
Heather B., Surrey BC
"I just finished reading your book and LOVED it!! I can't
ever remember laughing out loud so many times when reading a book! It
was fantastic! I guess it helps when you can see so many similarities
between your family and the characters in the book...I don't know if
that is good or bad. And what do you know... after being raised with
the word, I now know how to spell Jee-zuz H. Kee-Rist!"
Debbie S., Surrey BC
"Finished the book on the beaches in Maui. What a wonderful
book. Took me back to our days in Vanderhoof. Loved Nana - what a
wonderful woman. Her family and community were so important. Her
spirit, her sense humour and how she knew everyone else's.... You show
us how even in small towns people need to keep busy and their minds
active. Best of all - I loved the way you have written the book. I will
be watching for the next one..."
Pam O., Surrey BC
