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Andrea McKenzie Raine was born in Smithers, BC and grew up in Victoria, BC where she still resides. She was enrolled in the Creative Writing program and earned a B.A. in English Literature at the University of Victoria in 2000, and completed a post-degree Public Relations certificate program. She has attended the successful Planet Earth Poetry reading series (formerly known as Mocambopo) in Victoria, BC since 1997, and participated in the Glenairley writing retreats led by Canadian poet and novelist Patrick Lane in Sooke, BC. In 2005, she published her first book of poetry, titled A Mother’s String, through Ekstasis Editions. Her poetry has also appeared in Mocambo Nights, Canadian Literature journal, Quills, Borderlines anthology (Ascent Aspirations magazine), Tempus anthology (Rubicon Press), Poems from Planet Earth (Leaf Press), Tongues of Fire anthology, and several Glenairley chapbooks edited by Patrick Lane (Leaf Press). She has also written book reviews and articles for local magazines, celebrating the work of her peers. Andrea lives with her husband and two young sons and, by day, is employed as a correspondence writer for the provincial government. Turnstiles is her debut novel published by Inkwater Press.
She is working on publishing her second novel titled A Crowded Heart, which is a prequel to Turnstiles.
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Turnstiles by Andrea McKenzie Raine is a story of three perfect strangers who are trying to find an idyllic world where things are as they should be. The novel revolves around three main characters: Martin Sourdough, Willis Hancocks Jr, and Evelyn. Evelyn is a prostitute, Willis Hancocks Jr is a lawyer, and Martin Sourdough is a homeless man who claims to be “free.” He has no aim in life and that is from his own choice. Willis Hancocks Jr is bound by his past. He is afraid to turn into his father and in order to save himself he gives away his inheritance to a homeless person. Evelyn is a prostitute and not by choice; she wants out of this life, but she does not have the freedom to do so.
Throughout the novel the three of them will come across each other and in return give each other a sense of freedom to move forward and accept the world as it is. Through each other, they get to see the world from a different point of view, forgive themselves, and live the life they should be living. Andrea McKenzie Raine makes a huge impact on the mind of the reader with Turnstiles. The story is progressive and very enjoyable. Yes, the novel is depressing at some points, but that is the reality of life, which is shown as it is. The story is perfectly developed with great attention to detail and characterization. There are a few points here and there that frustrate the reader, but as a whole, the novel is really good.
