"Northern Lights" is a novel written by Gilbert Parker. The story takes place in the Canadian province of Quebec, in the late 19th century. The main character, Sergeant Fones, is a member of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police, whose job is to maintain law and order in the Canadian frontier. The novel revolves around the search for a missing French-Canadian trapper named Sebastian Dolores, who is suspected of murder. Sergeant Fones is tasked with finding Dolores, who has disappeared into the wilderness, along with his love interest, a young French-Canadian woman named Justine Caron. As Fones pursues Dolores, he becomes increasingly conflicted about his duty to bring the trapper to justice and his growing feelings for Justine. The novel deals with themes of love, duty, and honor, as well as the clash of cultures between the Anglophone and Francophone communities in Canada. Parker's writing is noted for its vivid descriptions of the Canadian wilderness and its portrayal of the complex social and political landscape of the time. "Northern Lights" was well-received by both critics and readers and is considered a classic of Canadian literature. The novel was adapted into a silent film in 1916 and has been the subject of several critical studies over the years.
Gilbert Parker was a Canadian novelist and politician born on November 23, 1862, in Camden East, Ontario, Canada. He was the son of a Canadian businessman and a New England mother. After studying law in Toronto and being admitted to the bar, he turned his attention to writing, becoming a successful journalist and author. Parker's literary career began with the publication of his first book, "The Trespasser," in 1894, which was a collection of short stories set in the backwoods of Canada. He quickly gained international recognition for his works, which often focused on Canadian and British colonial history, as well as themes of love, betrayal, and social justice. In addition to his literary pursuits, Parker was also an active politician, serving as a member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1906 to 1911. He was also knighted in 1919 for his contributions to Canadian literature and politics. Parker died on September 6, 1932, in London, England, at the age of 69. His legacy lives on through his numerous novels, short stories, and contributions to Canadian literature.
