Revolution Songs
Award-winning nonfiction writer Carissa Halton breaks the mould with this stunning debut novel.
Annie Jalmer stands uneasily between opposing allegiances in her 1930s Rocky Mountain town. As the radical politics of her family inflame tensions , Annie becomes an unwilling double agent until a violent strike forces her to take a stand.
Revolution Songs is the electrifying debut novel by award-winning writer Carissa Halton, inspired by the little-known story of a Communist union, the rise of the Canadian Ku Klux Klan, and the women who fought on both sides. Set against the charged backdrop of Depression-era politics, Halton weaves a thrilling and timely story that echoes the rising polarization of our own era.
In the Media
Edmonton Launch | October 2, 2025
Tour
Join Carissa as she tours with Revolution Songs.
For launches, Carissa has teamed up to speak with local writers, historians, artists, and musicians about the secret societies, archival treasures, and generousness sources that impacted her work. Events are free.
So much to talk about
Revolution Songs explores deepening political factions in the Crowsnest Pass arising from the scarcity of the Great Depression. It features the activity of the Canadian Ku Klux Klan in the midst of a tumultuous labour strike. The novel explores the role of women in both maintaining and subverting the status quo, as well as the role of rhetoric and violence for political ends. It’s a timely story reflecting the rising labour strife and polarization of our own era, while exploring people’s thirst for community and belonging. With themes of coming-of-age, belonging, fracture and repair, Revolution Songs offers a lot to talk about.
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What surprised you about life in the Crowsnest Pass as portrayed in the novel?
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What similarities and differences do you see between the 1920s/30s and now?
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Whose hopes and dreams did you most relate to?
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What were the various factions in the book? How did each use Annie?
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What relationship in the book most moved you?
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What drove Annie to play the role she did? How did this help or hinder her?
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What factors led to the final conflict? Can you imagine what would have altered the outcomes in the book?
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What influence does scarcity hold in the book?
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Music runs throughout. What are its superpowers?
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What drove Annie’s mother, Eunice Jalmer?
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How do the characters’ personalities impact their response to similar events? What other factors influence their actions?
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If you were Annie, what would you do differently?
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What is the novel saying about power and influence?
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What about the propaganda and rhetoric--from both the left and right--is familiar and different from today?
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What hopes and fears are at the root of the growth of both the Ku Klux Klan and Communist movements? How are these similar or different from each other? From today’s politics?
