Minister Without Portfolio

Early on in this alternately brilliant and frustrating novel, Henry Hayward is called a "minister without portfolio" by his friend Tender Morris, meaning, "You're not committed to anything but you've got a hand in everywhere." The designation is apt; at the time an army-affiliated contractor in Afghanistan, Henry has so far traveled through life unmoored. After an ambush leaves Tender dead, Henry returns to Newfoundland a broken man, guilt-ridden for the part he inadvertently played in the incident. To make emotional amends, Henry purchases Tender's summer home and begins to rebuild his psyche through work on the house and beginning a relationship with Martha, Tender's long-term partner. Using his signature minimalistic style to astonishing effect, the first half ranks with The Big Why and The Architects Are Here as one of Winter's best works. The short arc devoted to Henry's Afghanistan stint is perfectly presented and in lesser hands would make up the entire book. Winter captures the unique music of Newfoundland speak and his main characters and settings breathe with life. Yet the story begins to stall halfway; Winter's point becomes diluted through thematic repetition and side-character subplots that distract. Winter is no question one of Canada's finest authors, but despite being overall worthwhile%E2%80%94 an unreservedly virtuoso first half and a sporadically spectacular second %E2%80%94the novel is ultimately dulled to a blunt point. (Sept.)