That Forgetful Shore is set mostly in outport Newfoundland between 1904 and 1955. It begins in the fictional town of Missing Point, which closely (though not exactly) parallels the real town of Coley’s Point, near Bay Roberts in Conception Bay North. The novel traces the lifelong friendship of Trif Bradbury Russell and Kit Saunders Porter. For orphaned Triffie, Kit takes the place of the twin sister she never knew. Both girls are intelligent and ambitious, but only Kit comes from a family with the means to further her education and allow her a life beyond the Point. As Kit’s path leads towards ever-wider adventure, Trif’s narrows, leaving her feeling trapped in the place she never intended to stay, with the man she swore she’d never marry.
