The book traces the author's return to Alberta, Canada to care for her estranged parents when her elderly mother breaks her hip. Over a six year period she learns of her mother's narcissistic personality disorder and her father's trauma.The judges described the book as follows:
The winning book elegantly tramples all over the Stella requirements: it is excellent, engaging and original in spades. It is moving and funny, and as powerful in what it leaves out as it is in what it includes.The Erratics is Vicki Laveau-Harvie's debut as a writer. She claims she will use the $50,000 prize money to travel. Which will hopefully inspire her to write more.