I just finished reading October’s Dying last night. I had a strong sense I would never be the same after reading it and my soul has been penetrated to the core. The first page drew me into the story immediately and I could not put it down. The Residential School details were super difficult to go through, but I knew I had to keep on. I am in awe of how the Holy Spirit inspired you to entwine the lives of Brandon, Samantha, Brandi, and Sam into the telling of their story. Are they real people or add-ons to make the story touch the very fiber of my being?

The Lord has given you an amazing gift in the use of words, that captivate one’s heart and has given you the ability to tell stories to draw the reader into the story as if one is part of the story. Thank you for writing this. It took much courage to do so... I have always admired you for sharing your heart openly to all who will listen... the hours you have spent alone in the presence of the Lord, walking on the dikes in NS, on your trails at home, sitting in your attic listening to your favourite music worshiping the King of Kings; all have contributed to the writing of this incredible story. I will never be the same. Blessings to overflowing.

Psalm 139 kept ringing in my ears and my heart while reading October’s Dying in reference to the Lord’s Amazing Grace and Favour upon your life. You are a wonderful gift to the world and all of us who know you. 

Amazing book. Gut wrenching, passionate, brilliant, triumphant. Thank you for listening to your heart and pouring it into us, Dale. And the timing? With Indigenous rights on full display in Canada presently... wow. Much love and respect
️

I have known Dale Lloyd for over fifty years. He has researched his history and his nation’s history and has attempted to understand the why as to that history. In the research and writing he has expressed his deep frustration and disappointment in the systems that have been and are so destructive to people.

But, in his research and writing he has found a way to battle and come to a sense of who he is. You will get to know this man Dale Lloyd, as you read his books. You will get to know the world where he lives, and you will get to know the world in which you live, we all live. 

Read “October’s Dying,” and read his other books, to know the facts as told through novels, and to enjoy the writings of Dale Lloyd, a master story teller, a poet, and a man who is sensitive to the world he, and we are trying to understand.

The journey will be well worth your while.

Wow! I just finished reading October’s Dying, a book by H. Dale Lloyd. This historical novel is riveting to say the least. Dale has based this story on factual events that occurred in Canada from 1866 to 1996. As European settlements were being established, the indigenous peoples of the land had to be dealt with. Unfortunately, their methods were reprehensible—cruel and murderous. “The Native Advantage” was implemented to help the Indians assimilate into the “white man’s” world, supposedly.

The book tells the story of a Mohawk boy named Rawenni:io, who was taken from his family by the government and sent to live in a Residential School, where he was renamed, Brandon. As I read the horrible account of life in Brandon’s school, I was emotionally distraught that such treatment of children could have happened. Thankfully, Dale then begins a wonderful story of love. However, it would prove to be a difficult love story—Brandon fell in love with a wealthy European girl named Samantha. I don’t want to spoil the read for you, but be prepared to smile, laugh, and cry. The story carries a theme of the power of love and forgiveness. If you enjoy books that take all your emotions on a roller coaster ride, this is a must-read.

"Given today’s climate, the need is more urgent than ever that we confront the difficult, uncomfortable parts of our history, and that we confront them without revision or defense. The hard stories must be told, and Dale, as a master story- teller, has told one here with courage and sensitivity. The epic span of the book (well over a century) would be daunting for many writers, but the story lines and historical context are woven together here in such a way that the reader is swept along effortlessly. His characters are real and compelling, and his lush descriptive language places the reader squarely into the story. This is a book that should be read for its literary achievement, yes. But it is also a book that must be read for its courageous and moving examination of a past that we can no longer afford to dismiss."

(B.S. Special Education & Rehabilitation; M.S. Educational Psychology; Post-Graduate work in History & Political Science; National Board Certification in History/Social Studies)

Wow! A powerful message of hope rising out of the darkness. Some of the chapters were very hard to read (because of the actual history they referenced) but they also contrast the power of love as forgiveness brings a sense of renewal and a deep lasting beginning for a new generation. The events touch the core of what it means to be truly human and how everything that is good is constantly assaulted by the forces of false religion. Thanks, Dale, for your deep insight into the core of humanity’s need for
grace and love.

Just finished reading October’s Dying last night. I had a strong sense I would never be the same after reading it and my soul has been penetrated to the core. The first page drew me into the story immediately and I could not put it down. The Residential School details were super difficult to go through, but I knew I had to keep on. I am in awe of how you entwine the lives of Brandon, Samantha, Brandi and Sam into the telling of their story. Those characters touched every fibre of my being. You have been given an amazing gift in the use of words, that captivate one’s heart and your ability to tell stories draws the reader into the story as if one is part of the story. Thank you for writing this. It took much courage to do so. I will never be the same. 

WOW! Powerful book. Epic. 

I just finished reading it through .. got it Tuesday and finished it today! It’s one of those ‘can’t put it down’ books!

Congratulations on such a fine work, filled with horror and beauty, darkness and light, damnification and redemption, the sinister weakness of law and the glorious power of grace!

I am glad you held our face to the horrors of what we have done (and continue to do) to the First Nation’s People (as shameful and painful as that is for us to hear), and supremely thankful that you led us gently to the power of redemption - not to gloss over the horror, or dismiss it’s effects, but to give us hope that it won’t have the last word.

I think my favourite line in the whole book is found on page 127 “The wise had learned to reserve judgement, and the very wise never entertained judgement at all for they had lived through enough paintings to know that the final picture would be glorious and filled with wonder.” 

Thank you for all the personal energy, emotion, and soul you put into this work. 

---

PS. I suspect that when I walk the boardwalks of Halifax now, I will not be surprised to see the ghost of Brent Attwood still waiting for Sam! 

“In October’s Dying, the author bravely and brilliantly rips open the corrupt curtain on Canada’s best kept and most shameful secret: the collaborative conspiracy of church and state to exterminate Canada’s Native population and eradicate their national identity. Each poignant paragraph pulsates with passion and pathos as the cast of characters come to life, their tragic and traumatic reality evoking deep emotional connection and responses in the reader. While neither wasting nor mincing words in his searching and scorching rebuke of the perpetrators of this crime against a people, the author paints this graphic portrait against a canvas that rhythmically resonates with the palpable sights and sounds of a created world, made more vivid by the defining and descriptive richness of his language. The reader can sense the writer’s incarnate investment in the narrative as the story unfolds. The author masterfully crafts an epic of beauty where love and truth harmonize to ultimately triumph over hatred and deception. He courageously confronts the deliberate, devious and devilish scheme of the political and religious worlds, and demonstrates its ultimate defeat in the lives of those whose nobility, fortitude, resilience and integrity empowered them to rise above and thwart the efforts of those who sought their destruction. This book deserves the widest of circulation, and will inspire any and all who have ever been or felt victimized by those who pretend some superiority. I was moved to tears throughout and couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it.”