The Whirlpool (Jane Urquhart novel)

The Whirlpool is a 1986 novel by Canadian author Jane Urquhart. The story is set in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in the summer of 1889, and centers around a complex web of relationships and obsessions connected to the Niagara Whirlpool.

The novel intertwines the lives of several characters:

• Maud Gage: A reclusive, book-loving woman who remains indoors, consumed by reading and correspondence. She is fascinated by the whirlpool and its power.

• David McAlpin: A local librarian who is drawn to Maud and attempts to rescue the body of a drowned poet from the whirlpool. His romantic inclinations become entangled with his obsession with the dead poet.

• Robert Pomfret: A local historian researching the area's past and documenting the whirlpool's allure. He is Maud's husband but their relationship is strained and distant.

• Patrick James Dillon: A member of the local militia, who accidentally discovers the body of the drowned poet and becomes entangled in the lives of Maud and David.

The narrative explores themes of obsession, loss, memory, the power of nature, and the role of history and literature in shaping individual perceptions. The whirlpool itself functions as a powerful symbol, representing both destruction and the potential for renewal. The novel is characterized by its lyrical prose, intricate character development, and evocative depiction of the Niagara landscape.