The Agony of Bun O'Keefe

When Bun O’Keefe’s emotionally abusive hoarder mother makes her leave, she does. After hitchhiking to St. John, Newfoundland, she meets a kind street musician who takes her in. They share a home with an interesting group of characters, each navigating their own difficulties while also supporting each other, trying to heal, and moving forward together. Well-developed themes of racism, homophobia, trauma, and identity are present in this novel, allowing readers to think critically about others’ lives and explore complex societal issues and themes. The book lends itself to literature circles in a senior secondary classroom and could provoke class discussions about its mature themes.