Strange Fugitive

Strange Fugitive by Morley Callaghan is a gripping novel set in Toronto during the era of speakeasies and bootleg liquor. The story centers around Harry Trotter, an amoral figure who loses his job and his wife in quick succession and searches for way to make his way in a place with not many good options.

Harry evolves from a small-time bootlegger into a reputable gangster, doing as he pleases and strong-arming anyone who stands in his way. With a deep focus on character development, Callaghan delves into Harry's inner turmoil, showing how his sense of self is challenged by his actions and he struggles to rectify his actions. As the narrative unfolds, the reader is taken through Harry's emotional journey, which raises questions about the nature of freedom, the weight of responsibility, and the possibility of redemption.

Reviving the narrative that set the literary stage for the hard-boiled crime genre, this is a seething noir tale of crime, murder, betrayal, and knuckle-bruising politics. Strange Fugitive is a tense, thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche, marked by Callaghan's sharp prose and keen understanding of moral complexity.