King Leary by Paul Quarrington

Back in the 1920s, Percival Leary was the King of the Ice. The young, athletic, talented Irish boy had it all. He could skate, score goals, and was considered one of the National Hockey League’s greatest heroes. Fifty years later, “King” Leary is seen in the South Grouse Nursing Home rooming with the antagonistic and alcoholic journalist Blue Hermann, who once profiled Leary’s hockey career. Leary, now an old and fragile man, is only a hero in his own mind. The only people that know of him are his roommate, Blue, and his male nurse, Iain. In the novel, Leary looks back on his life and glory days. From the time he burned down his neighbour’s house, to the time he visited the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in Toronto, Leary tells us all about the ups and downs of his tremendous life. All but forgotten, Leary is given one last chance in the spotlight by a ginger ale company that wants him to do a series of commercials in the big city. In the novel King Leary by Paul Quarrington, Leary sets off for Toronto on his final journey, as he revisits the scenes of his extraordinary career as King of the Ice.

In the novel, the author uses a very unique writing style. Leary narrates the story in first person. The author cuts off words and uses slang very often to give Leary a strong Irish accent. When Leary talks in his old age, he often rambles on and on, like a typical elderly person. Quarrington executes this writing style to perfection in this novel, and uses a different type of language with each character to match each one’s personality.

There is a lot of symbolism in this novel, including the monks that taught Leary how to play hockey. They symbolize purity and the ideal hockey player. They are graceful, light-hearted, fast, religious, and highly skilled at the game of hockey. They can skate at a car’s speed, shoot the puck very hard, but they do not check or promote violence and anger. Two more symbolic personatlities are Percy Leary and Duane Killebrew. Percy Leary symbolizes the old National Hockey League, and the violence and corruption that occurred during its time period. Leary, like the old NHL, observed problems such as alcohol abuse, prostitution, violence and gangs. Killebrew is Leary’s newer double, representing the new NHL. Killebrew symbolizes everything the new NHL stands for, including a high level of physical ability, sportsmanship, respect and effort. At the end of the book, Leary gives Killebrew his title of King of the Ice. Killebrew and Leary have similar traits, but Killebrew was never exposed to the impurities and challenges that Leary had to face.

Several sentences from the book that appeal to me include the following: “The lake is wild today. White caps rumble everywhere, kissed by light. The clouds move like bumper cars at a fairground,” (Pg. 223). This quote appeals to me because it is very descriptive and reminds me of the lake my cottage is near on a stormy day. It also reminds me of going to the big dock to fish and swim in the waves.
Another sentence from the book is “I recall when the Patriots tied up the Stanley Cup finals with Toronto in one-nine two-five. Manny scored the tying goal, one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, and while the crowd went wild, Manfred stood there looking like he’d just s**t his drawers,” (Pg. 45). This quote appeals to me because this March in the RSGCBHL playoffs, my team, the Hitmen, won the first game. However, the Steamers had come back in game two and were leading 7-4. Somehow we managed to tie it up, and in a shootout, Geoff Martin scored the most ridiculous goal I’ve ever seen. That goal sent us to the championship game. This quote reminds me exactly of this situation, which is one I’ll never forget.

Overall, the book was very enjoyable to read. It was very funny in some parts, but others were very serious. There is a moderate level of foul language in the book and mature themes not recommended for younger readers. I recommend this novel to hockey lovers aged fifteen and above, who just can’t get enough NHL action. I give this novel three stars out of five.