Blood in the Water: A True Story of Small-Town Revenge

Blood in the Water: A True Story of Small-Town Revenge

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  • Create Date:2021-11-29 19:21:11
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Silver Donald Cameron
  • ISBN:B08VRPW19R
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Summary

A masterfully told true story, perfect for fans of Say Nothing and Furious Hours: a brutal murder in a small Nova Scotia fishing community raises urgent questions of right and wrong, and even the very nature of good and evil。



In his riveting and meticulously reported final book, Silver Donald Cameron offers a stunning, intricate narrative about a notorious killing and its devastating repercussions。


Cameron’s searing, utterly gripping story about one small community raises a disturbing question: Are there times when taking the law into your own hands is not only understandable but the responsible thing to do?


In June 2013, three upstanding citizens of a small town on Cape Breton Island murdered their neighbor, Phillip Boudreau, at sea。


While out checking their lobster traps, two Landry cousins and skipper Dwayne Samson saw Boudreau in his boat, the Midnight Slider, about to vandalize their lobster traps。 Like so many times before, the small-time criminal was about to cost them thousands of dollars out of their seasonal livelihood。


Boudreau seemed invincible, a miscreant who would plague the village forever。 Meanwhile the police and local officials were frustrated, cowed, and hobbled by shrinking budgets。


One of the men took out a rifle and fired four shots at Boudreau and his boat。


Was the Boudreau killing cold blooded murder, a direct reaction to credible threats, or the tragic result of local officials failing to protect the community? As many local people have said, if those fellows hadn't killed him, someone else would have。。。

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Reviews

Eric

Should a true-crime recounting of a murder ever be “enjoyable?” And if so, how can one aptly describe an experience as pleasurable when it involves death?This is the Catch-22 when it comes to books like Silver Donald Cameron’s Blood in the Water。 Like the true-crime book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, Blood in the Water is filled with a collection of amusing people and circumstances in such a way that the recounting of a murder and the subsequent trial is both compellin Should a true-crime recounting of a murder ever be “enjoyable?” And if so, how can one aptly describe an experience as pleasurable when it involves death?This is the Catch-22 when it comes to books like Silver Donald Cameron’s Blood in the Water。 Like the true-crime book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, Blood in the Water is filled with a collection of amusing people and circumstances in such a way that the recounting of a murder and the subsequent trial is both compelling and amusing at times。Blood in the Water is similar to watching a short video clip of a person’s mishap that at first appears to be innocently humorous until the realization that the mishap was actually pretty serious。Another way to describe Cameron’s book would be to imagine a blending of Berendt’s book, the historical background of Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe, with the quirkiness of the Netflix documentary The Legend of Cocaine Island。In June of 2013, three Acadian fishermen of Petit de Grat, Isle Madame, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, fed up with the habitual and decades-long criminality of Philip Boudreau, decide it is time to take matters into their own hands and end up killing Boudreau while he is vandalizing their lobster cages。Through descriptions, Boudreau is almost able to be imagined as a real-life gadfly and troublemaker similar to the fictional character Ernest T。 Bass from the classic television series The Andy Griffith Show, but only in a more serious and dangerous way。 For decades, Boudreau was not only known for minor acts of misbehavior, but much more serious ones such as threatening to burn down the homes of people if they complained, which also included threats to law enforcement personnel if they took action against his acts of criminality。Boudreau also bore a duality of either being liked and tolerated or intensely despised for his behavior。 In dealing with not only the murder and subsequent trial, like Keefe’s Say Nothing, Cameron provides an in-depth, but accessible history of the Acadian people of the region and of their culture。 For example, unlike the legal system of the United States being largely guided by legal precedents and original foundations, the legal system of this region has been allowed to modify by accepting how the changes in culture and society are dynamic and ever-changing, and such evolution should be taken into account in legal matters。Cameron’s examination of Acadian society allows the reader to fully grasp the uniqueness of the region and its citizens, which adds to the complexity of how difficult it was to curtail Boudreau’s behavior, especially when people were worried about their homes being burnt to the ground with them in them。 Acadians are very community-oriented, forgiving, and with a practice of helping neighbors in need while in a community where doors are not locked at night or when people are not in their homes。Blood in The Water is recommended to fans of true crime novels with legal matters and well-researched backgrounds。Netgalley provided a copy of Blood in the Water with the promise of a fair review。This review was originally published at MysteryandSuspence。com。 。。。more

Kelly

In June 2013, three men killed a neighbour。 This neighbour, however, was no angel himself。 But did he deserve to die? And how did things get to the point where this ended up as a solution? I found this book really interesting。 It didn’t just cover the killing, but it talked about the Acadian community and the history of the area, all of which had an impact on how the community worked together。 I also really enjoyed the interviews with the locals。 It really felt like the author had taken the time In June 2013, three men killed a neighbour。 This neighbour, however, was no angel himself。 But did he deserve to die? And how did things get to the point where this ended up as a solution? I found this book really interesting。 It didn’t just cover the killing, but it talked about the Acadian community and the history of the area, all of which had an impact on how the community worked together。 I also really enjoyed the interviews with the locals。 It really felt like the author had taken the time to talk to a variety of different people, which meant it felt like a balanced portrayal of the parties involved。 I do believe it also helped that he’d lived in the area a time, and so he was able to really tease out the differences between a murder in a small fishing village in Nova Scotia and a murder in a big city。 This isn’t a book where you necessarily put it down with the feeling justice has been done。 As I finished it, it was easy to see how everybody had been let down。 The killers had tried time and again to get help to protect their families and livelihood, only to be told there was nothing to help。 The victim had been let down by a system that didn’t seem to be concerned with helping him。 Was justice done? Read and decide for yourself。 。。。more

Melissa

**Thank you to NetGalley and Steerforth Press for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review。**This was a well-written crime novel, but became a little heavy on the history of the towns, details on industries, and other (un)related backgrounds。 For me, that made the story drag a bit more than I would've preferred。 It felt like filler when the story couldn't been moved along quicker。 I appreciated the multiple view points; it's often hard to understand both sides of a story from a neut **Thank you to NetGalley and Steerforth Press for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review。**This was a well-written crime novel, but became a little heavy on the history of the towns, details on industries, and other (un)related backgrounds。 For me, that made the story drag a bit more than I would've preferred。 It felt like filler when the story couldn't been moved along quicker。 I appreciated the multiple view points; it's often hard to understand both sides of a story from a neutral starting point。 And it made me question assumptions and what I would do in a similar situation, always the mark of a thought-provoking read。 。。。more

Cindy (groundedinreads)

I’ve read many true crime books and tend to gravitate toward small town murder investigations。 This book read more of a historical recap or a biography to me。 There was a lot of detailed information on the location and and the lore of the area as well as a deep dive into the community & societal development which I found very interesting。

Marilyn Cox

Cameron tells the story of a tragedy that affected members of the small community of Petit de Grat in 2013。 From the courtroom in Antigonish to the kitchen tables of many of those who knew Phillip Boudreau and James Landry, the facts and opinions surrounding the events were recorded。 Manslaughter may have inspired this narrative, but Cameron digs much deeper providing a brief history of the Acadian people and describing the complex relationships that have evolved in this community。 In the end th Cameron tells the story of a tragedy that affected members of the small community of Petit de Grat in 2013。 From the courtroom in Antigonish to the kitchen tables of many of those who knew Phillip Boudreau and James Landry, the facts and opinions surrounding the events were recorded。 Manslaughter may have inspired this narrative, but Cameron digs much deeper providing a brief history of the Acadian people and describing the complex relationships that have evolved in this community。 In the end there are questions about whether the victims and perpetrators are one and the same in a community that is both caring and callous。 This book sheds light on as much truth as we will probably ever know about this case and is more about why it happened than how it happened。 。。。more

Vicki Blackmore-schoch

More about the town and culture than the crime。 Did learn something about the Canadian judicial system though

Meghan

Thank you to Netgalley and Steerforth Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!I am not as familiar with Canadian true crime stories, so this book was my first exposure。 It was a fantastic read! I am saddened to hear that it is his last book。 The overall question this book addresses is "is it okay to take the law into your own hands?" While I would never advocate for committing murder, or crime period, I could see why the events unfolded in the manner they did。 Cameron did lay the ba Thank you to Netgalley and Steerforth Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!I am not as familiar with Canadian true crime stories, so this book was my first exposure。 It was a fantastic read! I am saddened to hear that it is his last book。 The overall question this book addresses is "is it okay to take the law into your own hands?" While I would never advocate for committing murder, or crime period, I could see why the events unfolded in the manner they did。 Cameron did lay the background very well, and I was engaged from the first page。 。。。more

Meaghan Babin

This is really interesting! Silver Donald Cameron really captures the essence of Isle Madame from its people to its culture and highlights everything that led to the tragedy with Philip Boudreau。 He masterfully captures the timeline of events and explores them in detail in exquisite writing that really envelops the reader and makes them feel like an Isle Madame resident。

Becky Baldridge

I hadn't read a true crime in a while, and I don't remember hearing about this one, so I thought I'd dip my toes in the true-crime waters, so to speak。 I'm thinking now that I should've skipped it for something a little more gripping。 The first couple of chapters give us pretty much everything we need to know。 The who, what, when, where, and why are all handed to us right upfront。 That's really no surprise since it is true crime, but I was at least hoping for something more than the killers were I hadn't read a true crime in a while, and I don't remember hearing about this one, so I thought I'd dip my toes in the true-crime waters, so to speak。 I'm thinking now that I should've skipped it for something a little more gripping。 The first couple of chapters give us pretty much everything we need to know。 The who, what, when, where, and why are all handed to us right upfront。 That's really no surprise since it is true crime, but I was at least hoping for something more than the killers were caught and charged。 They didn't even deny it, and according to the book, they weren't particularly hard to catch。 Really? So, what more is there to tell? Unfortunately, the rest of the book is a bit of a hodge-podge of information I didn't really want or need。 There is a lot of trial play-by-play, which is usually a big favorite for me, but this was rather dull, nothing more than I expected from what we already know。 But I could've been okay with the trial stuff, it was all the filler that drove me to distraction and had me setting this one aside for later。 We're given lots of information about the town and history of the area as well as more information about fishing than I ever wanted to know。 I liked the author's writing style in the beginning, but this one just went off the rails for me somewhere along the way。 It became much too easy to set aside and harder and harder to pick back up。 。。。more

Ron Baumer

A good true crime novel。 The story is well told with plenty of background information so the reader can understand and follow the story。 It is a great look at the problems within the enforcement of laws that is sometime faced by the police。 Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review。

Adrian

A murder takes place amongst fishing folk in Nova Scotia。 The victim is a career thief, a raider of lobster traps and general ne'er-do-well。 The killers are good people tired of being put upon。 Cameron broadens this story into a tale of Acadian mores and manners and why they live the way they do。 The trial is covered in depth too and the author has many trenchant views about our modern justice system which he believes failed here and fails us often。 Still it's not clear what system would protect A murder takes place amongst fishing folk in Nova Scotia。 The victim is a career thief, a raider of lobster traps and general ne'er-do-well。 The killers are good people tired of being put upon。 Cameron broadens this story into a tale of Acadian mores and manners and why they live the way they do。 The trial is covered in depth too and the author has many trenchant views about our modern justice system which he believes failed here and fails us often。 Still it's not clear what system would protect citizens from the perpetrator in this story who threatened people willfully and was on many occasions protected from arrest by locals。 Interesting book from a social angle but not entirely successful as a corrective for crime in society。 Bought in Halifax。 。。。more

Amber

An incident that hits close to home and one I followed very closely in 2013 and onwards while it was all unfolding。 I never realized a book had been published until I completely stumbled across it in a bookstore recently。。。 This book did a great job at providing more insight into the entire situation and also included a lot of perspectives from people who lived in Isle Madame who were willing to provide thoughts and comments that are neatly tucked into great spots in the book。 This book really p An incident that hits close to home and one I followed very closely in 2013 and onwards while it was all unfolding。 I never realized a book had been published until I completely stumbled across it in a bookstore recently。。。 This book did a great job at providing more insight into the entire situation and also included a lot of perspectives from people who lived in Isle Madame who were willing to provide thoughts and comments that are neatly tucked into great spots in the book。 This book really put the entire case into perspective and gave it such an in-depth feel - Definitely recommend to anyone who is familiar with the Murder for Lobster, True Crime, or anyone who just wants a good Local NS read! 。。。more

Pooja

Every place has its ne'er-do-well, and Isle Madame's was a particular menace。 So when he was killed out at sea by a fed-up crew of fishermen, reactions in the community were mixed。This was an interesting read, but not as true crime unfortunately。 I enjoyed the style of writing and how entwined the author was with the community。 I liked learning about the Acadians and life on Isle Madame, and how someone like Philip could get away with what he did for so long。However, the courtroom scenes dragged Every place has its ne'er-do-well, and Isle Madame's was a particular menace。 So when he was killed out at sea by a fed-up crew of fishermen, reactions in the community were mixed。This was an interesting read, but not as true crime unfortunately。 I enjoyed the style of writing and how entwined the author was with the community。 I liked learning about the Acadians and life on Isle Madame, and how someone like Philip could get away with what he did for so long。However, the courtroom scenes dragged, with the author often relating the trial verbatim in parts。 There's not a lot of suspense around the crime as we know pretty much from the start what happened, and the more intense reveals about the character of the victim were buried very late in the book。Overall, an informative read, but not a favorite。Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley。 This is my honest and voluntary review。 。。。more

Antonella

Many of the criticisms that I’ve read in the reviews-too many tangents, too much time spent on the hearings-are the things I loved most about this book。 The book recounts a fascinating and tragic true crime story with compelling insights into the history, culture and community in which it took place。 Though the criminal justice system that was tasked with adjudicating these crimes is restrained from taking much of this context and nuance into account, I as a reader am not, and I think they make Many of the criticisms that I’ve read in the reviews-too many tangents, too much time spent on the hearings-are the things I loved most about this book。 The book recounts a fascinating and tragic true crime story with compelling insights into the history, culture and community in which it took place。 Though the criminal justice system that was tasked with adjudicating these crimes is restrained from taking much of this context and nuance into account, I as a reader am not, and I think they make the story as intriguing as it is。 I also appreciate the thoroughness of the court reporting and the time the author takes to describe the characters involved and the context in which they are operating。 This is how “justice” works in Canada and I think this particular true crime story is a compelling example of the system’s magnificence and gross imperfections。 。。。more

Jackie

Philip Boudreau was a troubled man, living in rural Nova Scotia until he is killed by fellow fishermen in 2013。 The other fishermen had been tormented and threatened by Boudreau for years, until they had finally had enough。 The author examines the lack of police and governmental intervention, and how it contributed greatly to the accused murderers' actions。 Who really is guilty? Philip Boudreau was a troubled man, living in rural Nova Scotia until he is killed by fellow fishermen in 2013。 The other fishermen had been tormented and threatened by Boudreau for years, until they had finally had enough。 The author examines the lack of police and governmental intervention, and how it contributed greatly to the accused murderers' actions。 Who really is guilty? 。。。more

Valerity (Val)

This is an in-depth look at a Canadian true crime story about a thief, Phillip Boudreau, who had been tormenting people on Cape Breton Island for decades。 When he wasn’t in jail, he liked to steal lobster, lobster traps, or just cut the lines to the traps if he felt like someone had been talking to authorities about him。 He also liked to threaten to burn their homes down frequently, and steal anything he could find in and around their homes。 Strangely enough, he was also known for his acts of ge This is an in-depth look at a Canadian true crime story about a thief, Phillip Boudreau, who had been tormenting people on Cape Breton Island for decades。 When he wasn’t in jail, he liked to steal lobster, lobster traps, or just cut the lines to the traps if he felt like someone had been talking to authorities about him。 He also liked to threaten to burn their homes down frequently, and steal anything he could find in and around their homes。 Strangely enough, he was also known for his acts of generosity to people in need, and there were many who liked him as well。 It all came to a head when he was caught stealing lobsters and cutting trap lines, but stayed ahead of the fishing boat they belonged to and taunted them, laughing。 A good non-fiction book about culture and crime on the island。 Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Silver Donald Cameron, and the publisher。 。。。more

Maine Colonial

I received a free publisher's digital review copy, via Netgalley。Phillip Boudreau was an incorrigible criminal with, according to some prison psychiatrists, the moral development of a five-year-old。 Living on the small Canadian Maritimes island of Isle Madame, Phillip brazenly steals, vandalizes, threatens, and—as we find out late in the book—worse。 This is a fishing community, and Phillip commonly not only steals lobsters from neighbors’ traps, he sells the lobsters on the town wharf, and he cu I received a free publisher's digital review copy, via Netgalley。Phillip Boudreau was an incorrigible criminal with, according to some prison psychiatrists, the moral development of a five-year-old。 Living on the small Canadian Maritimes island of Isle Madame, Phillip brazenly steals, vandalizes, threatens, and—as we find out late in the book—worse。 This is a fishing community, and Phillip commonly not only steals lobsters from neighbors’ traps, he sells the lobsters on the town wharf, and he cuts their trap lines and vandalizes their traps。Though Phillip has been committing crimes for years, and been arrested and jailed many times, much of the time the Mounties and the Fisheries officials are unsuccessful catching him。 And, as some townspeople say, Phillip’s threats are worse than the crimes, because you can’t feel safe, and law enforcement don’t do anything about them。The years of fear, anger and frustration come to a head one sunny day in June, as lobstermen James Landry, his son-in-law, and their hired man see Phillip stealing their lobsters and taunting them as he cuts the lines。 The lobstermen come back to port, but Phillip never does。 His speedboat is found drifting, missing its motor。Cameron vividly depicts life on Isle Madame, a place where everybody knows everybody else, and people don’t tend to lock their houses or vehicles (even with Phillip around)。 He describes the court case in detail, the prosecution’s version of the case, defense counsels’ versions, the court’s instructions, the verdicts, sentencing, and the aftermath for the community。Cameron asks the question: what do you do in a small community with someone like Phillip Boudreau, when the legal system has failed? What is the effect of violence on the community? This is a striking story not just of crime, but of a unique way of life, informed by Acadian, native tribal, and Anglo traditions。 。。。more

Robyn

Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the advanced digital reviewer copy of this title。I've read many true-crime narratives but "Blood in the Water" makes an impact unlike most in dealing on the personal level of how crime affects society, or in this case a specific small town。 Cameron's thorough investigating brings to life the different approaches in jurisdiction of a Canadian crime versus the more well publicized machinations of a murder trial in the US。 Told from people on all sides of this story, this b Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the advanced digital reviewer copy of this title。I've read many true-crime narratives but "Blood in the Water" makes an impact unlike most in dealing on the personal level of how crime affects society, or in this case a specific small town。 Cameron's thorough investigating brings to life the different approaches in jurisdiction of a Canadian crime versus the more well publicized machinations of a murder trial in the US。 Told from people on all sides of this story, this book gives a good account of a crime that may or may not have been。 。。。more

Katie Frewin

I wanted to like this book, I really did。 Instead, though, I found myself bored。 It was often repetitive, and it seemed to go off on tangents that made no difference to the actual book itself。 Disappointing and underwhelming。

Jennifer Williams

This was a well written book that really made me fall in love with Petit de Grat more than anything。 I also live in a small Canadian town and can relate to the RCMP doing sweet F all when people like Phillip terrorize the town。 I do agree with the residents that it's unfortunate but look also at how crime has now declined with his absence。 I really though think this was focused on what a community the maritime are and how the Acadian people stick together as a well knit group。 I would recommend This was a well written book that really made me fall in love with Petit de Grat more than anything。 I also live in a small Canadian town and can relate to the RCMP doing sweet F all when people like Phillip terrorize the town。 I do agree with the residents that it's unfortunate but look also at how crime has now declined with his absence。 I really though think this was focused on what a community the maritime are and how the Acadian people stick together as a well knit group。 I would recommend this read, and it also has me adding a place on my to travel list! I just want to see this small town now more than anything else I took away from the book。 It was well written and in my opinion, knowing it was Donald Cameron's last book, a beautiful love note to his community before he passed。 。。。more

Ramona Jennex

Silver Donald certainly took a risk writing this story (set in his own community)。 It is a story so much more than the crime and he did a brilliant job writing a balanced overview of the "story" covered extensively in the media。 Silver Donald certainly took a risk writing this story (set in his own community)。 It is a story so much more than the crime and he did a brilliant job writing a balanced overview of the "story" covered extensively in the media。 。。。more

Amy Schwartz

This book made me think。 It illuminates the systemic and ethical failures of the legal system, the community, the fisheries regulars/enforcers (DFO) and how, despite many good intentions, these systems aren’t equipped to truly resolve issues or improve society。 There are reviews here that give it a low rating because it doesn’t follow the “True Crime” formula。 That’s too bad as it’s a great book and a captivating read -with much more depth than formulaic True Crime entertainment。

Amy

The author does a good job of highlighting the complexity of the main players, and the various circumstances。 There is history of the area and the people mixed in to add to the layers of how things ended the way they did。

CJ Anne

“It was in 2013 that Phillip Boudreau was dropped —allegedly— to the bottom of the sea, but his neighbours would not be entirely surprised if he walked out of the ocean tomorrow, coated in seaweed and dripping with brine, smiling。”If you were to ask any of the old lobster fisherman in my community, how well they did that day or how many lobsters they pulled up, the answer will likely be something ambiguous like “enough for a sandwich”。 Lobster fishing and the code these men live by has all the a “It was in 2013 that Phillip Boudreau was dropped —allegedly— to the bottom of the sea, but his neighbours would not be entirely surprised if he walked out of the ocean tomorrow, coated in seaweed and dripping with brine, smiling。”If you were to ask any of the old lobster fisherman in my community, how well they did that day or how many lobsters they pulled up, the answer will likely be something ambiguous like “enough for a sandwich”。 Lobster fishing and the code these men live by has all the appearances of a religion and if it is, all the confession in the world wouldn’t have saved Phillip Boudreau from his eventual fate。Silver Donald Cameron manages to tell the story of Phillip Boudreau, the history of Isle Madame, Cape Breton and the Acadians, while also covering important aspects of Canadian Law without a single line coming off as dry or stale。 His writing exposes him for the master story teller that he was。 He died on May 31st, 2020, three months before this book was published。Despite living nearby, I didn’t know Phillip or the accused and I’m selfishly thankful for that。 I am also grateful that I was able to read an unbiased and meticulously detailed account of the events that rocked and continues to affect our tiny island in the stream。This story is not black and white。 The convicted and the deceased were both victims and criminals。 Did Phillip get what he deserved? Probably。 Does that make it okay? No, it doesn’t。 How much burden should be placed on the RCMP and the DFO? And how much further should be placed on the governments that oversee them? As Cameron relays on the final page, “There’s plenty of blame to go around。”“The great irony of the Boudreau story is that the formal judicial system constantly scolded the accused for 'taking the law into their own hands' without ever recognizing that the accused had repeatedly and unsuccessfully tried to persuade the authorities to deal with Phillip。 The root causes of the tragedy includes a systemic failure of the legal system itself。” 。。。more

Lucy

3 1/2 stars。 In 2013, in a small fishing community in Cape Breton, trouble-maker Phillip Boudreau disappeared。 Searchers found his wrecked boat, boots, and a few other items, but his body was never found。 Three local fishermen who were out on another boat that day were accused of his murder。 In addition to following the trial of James Landry, this book also provides background describing the community these men belonged to。 A lot of people had been frustrated with Boudreau for a long time, and t 3 1/2 stars。 In 2013, in a small fishing community in Cape Breton, trouble-maker Phillip Boudreau disappeared。 Searchers found his wrecked boat, boots, and a few other items, but his body was never found。 Three local fishermen who were out on another boat that day were accused of his murder。 In addition to following the trial of James Landry, this book also provides background describing the community these men belonged to。 A lot of people had been frustrated with Boudreau for a long time, and there didn’t seem to be any legal way to stop him from causing problems。 Did a good man finally just snap and take matters into his own hands? 。。。more

John Morris

An interesting read 。。。。。。 but i sometimes got a bit bogged down in the cast of characters

Clivemichael

Excellent telling of a tale。 Beautiful and sad。