Michael Crummey is one of my favorite writers of Newfoundland historical fiction, and The Adversary did not disappoint. Set in an early 19th century outport, the two main characters are amongst the most deplorable you’ll come across in fiction (which is the point) complemented by a colorful cast of supporting characters. The story is bleak but compelling — I could hardly put it down — with both pathos and humor. There’s also a great deal of Newfoundland English, much of which is no longer in use (but not all, there are sayings I’ve said myself, like “I’m satched” to convey being soaking wet) which gives the story a richness and the source of much of the humor, particularly with some of the more bawdy terms.