Order a copy of West of Wawa
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West of Wawa
a new novel by Lisa de Nikolits, available now online and in Indigo and Chapters
Disclaimer: The Hungry Mirror, The Corner of the Desert, West of Wawa and Cannibals of the Afterlifeare all works of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Book trailer for West of Wawa:
READER COMMENTS FOR WEST OF WAWA
A Beautiful Picture of Canada
"It's great to have a book that's not about luxury travel but still paints a beautiful picture of Canada and all the adventure you can have. I was very impressed by the story in the end."
Alex, Chatelaine BookClub
I Was So Drawn In By Benny
Before, I'm not sure I would have thought a book set mostly in various buses would be as gripping, but I was so drawn in by Benny (even when she frustrated me). And I can't get over how amazing it was to read about someone experiencing Canada that way. Interesting to have a coming-of-age book set at the end of your 20s.... I think Churchill was my favourite bit so far. Haha, aw, the polar beeeeeers.
– Stacy, Chatelaine BookClub
All The Rites of Passage
I really liked Benny as a character and what the story had to say about persevering through difficulty. So typically coming-of-age with all the rites of passage.
– Laurie Grassi, Chatelaine BookClub
Enjoyed It Immensely
I just finished West of Wawa and I enjoyed it immensely. Benny is a great character and you really get drawn in to her adventure although there are times when you just want to shake her and tell her to smarten up. Glad that her story had a happy ending.
– Syd Bradley
Benny Has a Life Beyond This Trip!
I finished reading West of Wawa last night. WOW!!! It was soooo great. I honestly couldn’t put it down. I read every night that I had a chance until I was falling asleep with the book in my hands. It would find it in the covers with me in the morning! I love the ending and Benny is so great. I can hardly wait to read about her next adventure. Benny has a life beyond this trip!
– Kristin Jenkins
A Great Read with a Poetic Ending!
I've always been curious about embarking on a solo trip across Canada but haven't yet had to guts to do so. Reading West of Wawa allowed me to live that fantasy vicariously and I felt like I was right in the action with Benny, the quirky yet neurotic protagonist. I experienced a plethora of emotions from tender and sad to blood boiling out of anger to downright laughing out loud. A great read with a poetic ending!
– Wendy Ding, Illustrator, Toronto
This Book Needs To Go International!
I did not like this book......I LOVED it! Loved Benny right away, loved her journey, her journey to self-discovery and I wanted so badly for her to heal her wounds, but as in real life, it takes time...I'm so glad she was a "real" character, no one is perfect, thank goodness! I purposely took my time towards the end of the book, because I did NOT want it to end!
A sequel "Benny in T.O",would be fab but... how can you top West of Wawa?
I'm an impatient and fussy reader and the book really kept me interested, it moved fast, and I never guessed the outcome of her interesting journey!! Congratulations on a FABULOUS book! This book needs to go international!
– Lynn Bunker, Prop Stylist
Such An Interesting, Complicated Character, I Couldn't Put The Book Down
I took the book to Paris with me and read it on the plane. I couldn't put it down. Benny was such an interesting, complicated character. Her love of Canada was so refreshing and her adventures with men so disturbing. Sometimes I wanted to give her a shake and then I wanted to hug her. Traveling by bus is so uncomfortable and challenging and you made Benny's experience so believable. I hope that you will write another book with Benny.
– Judith Kenny
Quite the Everywoman Character In Benny
Wow - what a great book! I finally had a chance to read it over the holidays. I think you've created quite the Everywoman character in Benny. Just know you've given the world a gift both in the Benny character and in the story. I think Benny's story resonates with many many women.
– Deb Bradley
An Amazing Book
Just finished reading West of Wawa and loved it! An amazing book. Now it's on to 'real life' I guess and facing my own world!
– Kim B
Reaching for freedom and gleedom… Benny is a marvelous achievement
Benny … so smart, never self-deluding, at core level … her inner dialogue exuding dollops of extreme self control AND abandon. Ever diverging thought patterns and directions. Passions, disdain, humour, scorn, capable too of deep caring, of nurturing. Always seeking … keenly sharp divisions and passions divulged and revealed ... at times tottering, over-medicated disconnected, dispersing seemingly scattered thoughts ... THEN reconnecting more clearly than ever.
Dispensing at times, ENTIRELY with known and trusted paths … dispirited, then lifted to joy by inner light, kindness, by caring, by truth, by sheer beauty … of fields and skies and rocks … things scenic.
Registering things deeply … situations and people noted on many levels ... minutely examining ... both fiercely separate and deeply clannish. Endearing joy in fresh t-shirts and sweet feet. Toxicity levels MUCH scrutinised ... moral and edible toxins mulled over. Tottering on many an edge, but capable of inner resources to re- empower. Running on almost empty sometimes, then rising phoenix-like, renewed, impassioned and energised.
This is an edifying journey on eating edicts alone. Benny, benefiting spiritually, emotionally, on this journey, growing, ultimately strengthening through each critical moment. Recovering after being weakened, senses dulled, inebriated, inertia, edging towards danger, edgy and vulnerable, yet there is this thread, this underlying sense of Benny’s sense of self coupled with her courage, her competence, her capability, her sense of responsibility.
She ALLOWS wounds to heal, she is ever-renewed by nature, landscape- therapy, HEALED by innate hope ... her awesome inner healing. Benny is at times deeply passive, yet never entirely voiceless, even at her lowest ebb. She is capable of self-starting, refueling, emerging victorious, from voids, never avoiding self … looking into each crevice, abyss, ever- exploring.
She examines her life deeply, even when feeling crushed, or facing desertion and betrayal. Ever desirous of journeying on, regardless of vulnerabilities and bruises, thus deepening her self awareness, learning and evolving. Immersed in life, reaching towards freedom and gleedom! Nature-struck. Striding on towards harmony, forgiveness, both self-forgiveness and reaching out to others in forgiveness, ultimately compassionate. There is a free-er unstructuredness, alongside her fiercely creative and marvellous self discipline. Benny is a marvelous achievement.
– Shirley McDaniel, artist
Captivating!
Lisa de Nikolits does not disappoint with her second novel "West of Wawa". A perfect read for anyone that has wanted/started a new life in a new country. Be prepared to enjoy a journey across Canada with the lovable Benny, as she discovers new places, new experiences and a new love. A journey that you never want to end!
– Brendan Fisher
A Good Romp Through Canada
I just finished your book West of Wawa last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. A good romp through Canada. You must have been to most of those places. My husband enjoyed West of Wawa too.
– Vonny Brioux
Another great book, Lisa!
– Marilyn Strauch
I LOVE Benny So Much
I finally had time to pick up West of Wawa and devour it! I LOVE Benny so much and can't wait for the movie. Wouldn't it be the best movie? Shouldn't you send a copy of your book with a note to Ellen Page? I can see her as Benny for sure.
Seriously, I love the style of writing. The book was gripping from the first page. I loved all the characters and how well you developed them.
– Robert Sheppard
Photo © Bradford Dunlop
Welcome to my website, with reviews
and comments about published works,
as well as updates about upcoming novels and works-in-progress.
PUBLISHED
APRIL 2010
Chatelaine Bookclub
• 3 book club discussions
• author Q+A
• a casting call
PUBLISHED
OCT 2011
Q+A on First Line Blog,
hosted by Lori Ann Bloomfield, author of
The Second River Child
Launch party pre-reading talk
Photos of launch party
LINKS TO READINGS, TALKS, BLOGS AND BOOKCLUBS
Inky Fresh Press Q+A
Comment on the launch party
"A couple of weeks back I went to the launch party of West of Wawa published by Inanna Publication and Education Inc. It was a great event for a great book. The novel is written by Lisa de Nikolits. She is the most ‘un-writerly’ writer I know. She is vivacious and friendly. That’s rare in a writer. She has an infectious smile. That’s rare, too.And, of course, she is a brilliant storyteller."
Mayank Bhatt, Generally About Books
Book reading at Toronto Women's Bookstore was wonderful.
On Saturday, 5th November, I read from West of Wawa along with two wonderful authors:
Dawn Promislow (reading from Jewels and Other Stories) and Danila Botha (reading from Got No Secrets)
We all had a wonderful time and enjoyed great support - many thanks to everyone who came!
A reading on YouTube: http://bit.ly/u5eyG2
West of Wawa photographed and purchased by Jennifer Brown in the
Travel section of Chapters, Kennedy Commons – thank you Jen!
Get a copy in-store today in Chapters and Indigo, in the Travel section or Local Interest
The Literary Press Group picked West of Wawa as one of their fiction selects: "For this festive season we've put together a quick list of some recent favourites to see you through to the new year. Whether you're looking for a last minute gift or some vacation reading material, this list is sure to have something for everyone."
A Funny and Fulfilling Story
"Travelling along with Benny on her journey of self-discovery is an adventure – I kept wanting more of this witty character. Living vicariously through her fearless choices and adventure-filled travels made me want to hop on a bus to see the country. Through West of Wawa's funny and fulfilling story, you can't help but root for Benny and her broken heart. And there's no doubt you'll be pleased by the story's outcome."
– Daniela Payne, web editor, Canadian Living
Benny is a Treat
Pill-popping, wisecracking Benny may only be 29, but she's on the run from a failed marriage, ruined art career, unhealthy food – pretty much life in general – and seeking salvation on a cross-Canada bus journey. And the true north strong and free may just have some hope in store for this Aussie wanderer. A funny, moving journey towards self-realization. Benny is a treat.
– Chatelaine Magazine. West of Wawa was one of four editor's picks in the September 2011 issue of Chatelaine and was featured extensively on their bookclub.
An Engaging and Likeable Protagonist and I Really Cared What Happened to Her.
I read West of Wawa while I was on vacation in Arizona a couple of weeks ago. It was a book that I always wanted to get back to, to see what was going to happen next. Benny is a very engaging and likeable protagonist and I really cared what happened to her. Sometimes I wanted to shake her....but she pulled through everything with amazing strength and optimism.
– Pam Mountain, Head Librarian, Annette Street Library, Toronto
You Can't Stop Reading!
West of Wawa is a story readers can easily connect with. The story of Benny is one reader will easily relate to and the way her tale is intriguingly told by Lisa de Nikolits allows the reader to feel as if they know Benny personally and are on the runaway train of escape alongside her.
Benny flees the known for the unknown by adventuring north with her bags full of narcotics which she consumes regularly to help numb the pains of her past while indulging in self destructive behaviors as they present themselves.
On her travels she seeks anonymity, but can’t help to engage with various characters that add to her personal trip of self-discovery, new friendships, and new found identity. West of Wawa is a read that once you start the journey with Benny, you can’t stop reading until you follow her through the entire stages of destruction to destiny!
– Amy Lance, Wondrous Women Worldwide
REVIEWS OF WEST OF WAWA
AUTHOR REVIEWS OF WEST OF WAWA
Idiosyncratic and Unique Characters… I couldn't put it down
Lisa de Nikolits' West of Wawa bursts with a sense of immediacy and freshness. Full of humor and tragi-comedic elements, in a style that is smooth and fast paced, West of Wawa is a delight to read. The characters, particularly Benny, are so idiosyncratic and unique that they prick at, then fully permeate the heart. I couldn’t put it down.
– Danila Botha, author of Got No Secrets
Engaging and Rewarding Read
Lisa de Nikolits’ vibrant characters and intriguing plot make West of Wawa an engaging and rewarding read. Traveling from city to city, traumatized Benny tries to put the torn pieces of her soul back together. Readers will experience awe as they follow the main character’s traveling-therapy and her unusual openness to strangers, which will surprise and then haunt readers.
– Ava Homa, author of Echoes from The Other Land
Pulls the Reader into the Story
Lisa de Nikolits is an amazing writer. She has a gift of being able to paint pictures, pull the reader into the story and keep them turning the page. West of Wawa shows how a life can turn from emptiness to one of fulfillment. West of Wawa is a great read and I hope you'll pick up a copy.
– Nikki Rosen, author of In the Eye of Deception.
On Twitter: I tweet a quote daily, something inspiring and thought-provoking, and at the end of the day, I tweet and post on Facebook where the quote came from. Local and international authors are featured.
EVENTS AND READINGS THIS YEAR
• Bookclubs in January
• Guest speaker at George Brown College, courtesy of author Ava Homa
• Signing books at the Ontario Library Association Conference,
• Booth 332, Hall C, Metro Convention Centre
• Blog tour in February/March
• Library reading in Spring
• A workshop in Fall
