Winnipeg author shares insights on her latest title ‘What Friends Are For’
Posted January 17, 2026 5:42 pm.
Last Updated January 18, 2026 10:48 am.
Harriet Zaidman is an award-winning author based in Winnipeg. She writes historical fiction with stories ranging from the Winnipeg General Strike to the outbreak of polio in the 50’s.
Her latest novel, “What Friends Are For”, tells an important and controversial story.
“It’s set in 1983. Dr. Henry Morgantaler, who was a doctor, had decided that he would challenge the abortion laws in Canada at the time. And, he set up a clinic here,” Zaidman explained.
The abortion laws that were in place since 1969 created a lot of barriers for women, pushing medical professionals to perform surgeries outside the law.
Zaidman says, following the pressure on abortion rights, it is important to tell such stories and acknowledge the damage done to women.
“People have forgotten what women went through and what illegal procedures women went through,” she explained.
The main character is a 15-year-old small-town girl, who, along with her family and friends, takes part in protests against an abortion clinic, until that distant issue becomes a part of her life.
This plot line, Zaidman says, is based on real stories.
“Actually, it was accidental. I was working on the idea, and then when I interviewed people who were involved in the abortion rights movement in the 80’s and, they said that they provided abortions to women who picketed outside their clinics. Who came to them in secret.”
“What Friends Are For” has been a bestseller for 10 weeks on the McNally bestsellers list, with some readers purchasing the book before its official launch.
“I’m so grateful! Because they trust that I do my work. So that’s really a wonderful feeling!” said Zaidman.
Zaidman says it is important to educate youth and spread awareness about human rights.
“Young women should know what their rights were, how they’ve got their rights, and they should fight to maintain them,” said Zaidman.
“It’s not just a question of abortions. It’s a question of rights. It’s a question of democracy. It’s a question of whether women have the same level of citizenship in society.”
