History has always been fertile ground for writers. Just how fertile will become apparent to anyone who reads Bound, a fictionalized account of early Island history by Theresa Redmond.
Bound is the first historical novel for adults set on Prince Edward Island during the late 1700s, a turbulent time in the Island’s history. Redmond’s book recounts the story of a determinedly independent woman named Suzanna Torriano who arrives on St. John’s Island as an amateur botanist and a mistress to the new governor. Torriano finds herself caught between the colonial pressures from Britain that are at odds with the goals for freedom and progress of the Island's many inhabitants.
Redmond’s book reimagines historical people and events, giving voice to groups and individuals usually overlooked in traditional histories. These include the Mi’kmaq, Acadians, Black people who were enslaved by white settlers, and women. By including those marginalized voices, Bound captivates readers with a compelling story but also helps foster an understanding of how these important populations contributed to social and cultural developments on Prince Edward Island. Bound has received glowing reviews from readers and has been hailed by the prestigious Kirkus Review as a well-researched, engaging tale about a colonial island’s diverse inhabitants.
Redmond’s background and career achievements inspired her to write Bound. She is descended from Scottish and Acadian ancestors, has a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s in History. She worked for many years on historical issues, including negotiating rights issues with Indigenous organizations and as a senior executive with the Canadian government. She now works as a negotiation consultant with L'nuey, a Mi'kmaq rights organization on the Island.
For this unique and compelling work of fiction, Theresa Redmond is awarded a Heritage Recognition Award.