Father Lacombe: A Young Man’s Freedom by Ken Donahue, a Book Review

“[…] Many such incidents kept life alive for the good priest. But Jock was his right-hand man, getting more sense every day. A little wild, maybe, but what could you expect?”

– Mary I. Third inFather Lacombe – A Young Man’s Freedom
by Ken Donahue

Father Lacombe: A Young Man’s Freedom is a heartfelt memoir about the author’s family history and the choices that shaped their future. Jock, a fourteen-year-old orphan, is taken in by Father Lacombe and becomes the priest’s helper on a caravan journey from Montreal to Winnipeg, and then to St. Albert in the Northwest Territories. Jock grows up, becomes a man, and later the author’s grandfather.

Each chapter in Father Lacombe is a short story about the author’s childhood and family history, offering a glimpse into the struggles, triumphs, courage, regret, and forgiveness that shaped his family and past. Donahue explains how his family lived meagerly, the lessons he learned on his paper route as a kid, his realization of his mother’s love and dedication to his family, and how he eventually met his stepbrother, a child his mother had given up for adoption years ago, and more.

Each chapter exposes a life lesson from Donahue’s past. The stories expose the highs and lows of life’s journey, and how the author learned to accept and cherish them, and also how he came to love the Canadian outdoors. I found the juxtaposition of the stunning Canadian wild west with the tragic impact of colonization on indigenous peoples sobering. There is a surprise from the author at the end of the book.

Reading this book inspired me to ponder the lessons from my own family’s past and how they might have shaped me. Would I be here, in the U.S., (or even alive) if my grandparents had made different choices? It is puzzling to think about.

I recommend Father Lacombe: A Young Man’s Freedom by Ken Donahue to those interested in Canada’s western migration in the 1800s or in a memoir about family, love, hardships, acceptance, and life lessons. It is a short, inspiring read.

A bit about the author, Ken Donahue

Ken Donahue’s love for nature is both a passion and a way of life. He thrives on the serenity, beauty, solace, and awe of the great outdoors. He embraces the world’s splendor with gratitude.

Ken grew up in Alberta, Canada, and learned to weather the challenges of the environment, especially winter, with his adventurous and open spirit. He believes stories have the power to connect us to our pasts, to ourselves, and to the natural world. Savoring the wonders of life, Ken hopes to inspire others to find joy in life’s raw, simple, and unpredictable moments.

Father Lacombe: A Young Man’s Freedom is his first book. To learn more about Ken Donahue or to book him to speak, visit his Facebook page. To purchase his book, visit Amazon.

© Copyright Vilma G. Reynoso 2026