Last Hummingbird West of Chile

***IPPY AWARDS: LITERARY FICTION – BRONZE***

An audacious tale of murder, privilege, and servitude – of both humans and nature.

A stunning work of imaginative fiction, Last Hummingbird West of Chile spins a tale of adventure that is in turn comedic, violent, poignant and thoughtful. Through the exploits of a young sailor born in questionable circumstance and a pair of murderous servants, as well as an assortment of other 19th century regulars, the vital subjects of today—race, religion, sexuality, environment—are framed in history and human culture.

Through narration by human protagonists, a tree, a hummingbird, various beasts, and the landscape itself, Ruddock tells a story of colonialism and environment, brutality and privilege, and the best and worst of human nature.

AUTHOR

Nicholas Ruddock

Nicholas Ruddock’s award-winning poetry and fiction have been widely published in Canada and abroad. His story “How Eunice Got Her Baby” appeared in the Journey Anthology 19 and was produced by the Canadian Film Centre. His novel, The Parabolist (Doubleday, 2010), was shortlisted for the Toronto Book Award. Ruddock lives in Guelph, Ontario.

Reviews

Praise for Night Ambulance

“Ruddock has a refined ear for dialogue and a mischievous sense of humour. He also knows how to bring a story to a memorable conclusion.”

– The Journey Prize Anthology

Praise for How Loveta Got Her Baby

“Accomplished, original, witty and wise.”

– The Antigonish Review

Praise for The Parabolist

“Packed with smarts, wit, and the spirit of Bolaño, The Parabolist envisions Toronto as an antic place full of characters willing to go to the brink for good sex, good love or a good poem.”

Praise for The Parabolist

“Passionate, off-hand, deeply charming and deeply original.”

Praise for The Parabolist

“The narrative is infused with the kind of intellectual energy and playfulness that is woefully lacking in so much Canadian fiction.”

– Quill & Quire

Praise for The Parabolist

“The Parabolist is an inventive, poetic, and thoroughly wonderful book.”

Praise for The Parabolist

“With dazzling skill, Ruddock blends his intricate knowledge of medicine into an exciting, compelling, and expertly layered mystery.”

“Without a doubt, Last Hummingbird West of Chile was one of the best books I’ve read this year. It was absolutely delightful and I was gripped to the very last line (which came too soon).”

– Atlantic Books Today

“[W]ith the Last Hummingbird West Of Chile Nicholas has indeed lured us into strange lands in what is at once an enthralling adventure and a chillingly poignant morality tale about the impossibility of escaping from one’s self.”

– Cannery Row

“[Experience] the burgeoning imagination of Nicholas, coupled with his wide range of knowledge and his lyrical understanding of flow in language. Really it’s a wonder to behold.”
– Guelph Today

“Last Hummingbird West of Chile is blocked out in a nimble, resourceful, kaleidoscopic format. […] In each section, the tone and vocabulary has been tweaked and honed to reflect and fit its speaker, sailor or craft, servant or master, hummingbird or novitiate. Across the pages they converge and interconnect even as they pursue their individual goals, avowals and sensibilities. Last Hummingbird West of Chile is an ambitious tale, uniquely told.”

– The Telegram

“…each point of view brought something new and interesting to the story. This novel felt so alive and well rounded, making it such an engaging experience to read.”
– Digitally Lit