Seattle City of Literature: Reflections from a Community of Writers

by Ryan Boudinot (editor)

This bookish history of Seattle includes essays, history and personal stories from such literary luminaries as Frances McCue, Tom Robbins, Garth Stein, Rebecca Brown, Jonathan Evison, Tree Swenson, Jim Lynch, and Sonora Jha among many others. Timed with Seattle’s bid to become the second US city to receive the UNESCO designation as a City of Literature, this deeply textured anthology pays homage to the literary riches of Seattle. Strongly grounded in place, funny, moving, and illuminating, it lends itself both to a close reading and to casual browsing, as it tells the story of books, reading, writing, and publishing in one of the nation's most literary cities.

Genres: Nonfiction

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2015

About the author

Ryan Boudinot is the author of the novels Blueprints of the Afterlife and Misconception, and the story collections The Octopus Rises and The Littlest Hitler.

Ryan received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Bennington College. He also holds a BA from The Evergreen State College. Born in the US Virgin Islands, he grew up in Skagit Valley, in Washington State, and now lives in Seattle.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Seattle City of Literature: Reflections from a Community of Writers" explores the greatness of literary Seattle in 5 sections: Learning ~ Working ~ Performing ~ Reflecting~ Remembering ~ Many of these essays are written by authors, editors, bookstore owners/managers and assorted book people who either love or reside in Seattle. Writing programs from the Richard Hugo House (founded in 1997), the Seattle Free Lancers, to the Creative Writing Program offered at the University of Washington, (recent graduates included Amanda Knox) were discussed. Author Ryan Boudinot also listed our numerous well loved bookstores: Couth Buzzard Books, Eliot Bay Book Company, East West Book Shop, Mangus Books, Phinney Books, Twice Sold Tales, and the University Book Store.

A reader doesn't have to be a Seattleite to appreciate this fun book. Biographer Charles Cross excellent (5*) essay is about Steven "Jesse" Bernstein (1950-1991). Bernstein, resembled the poet Robert Lowell, was known as the "Godfather of Grunge" also, a self-defined "dark poet" who wrote about addiction and depression. It was unfortunate Bernstein wasn't admitted to a psychiatric hospital following his poetry reading at the Graven Image in the 1980's.
Another magnificent essay gem was written by the former book review editor of the Stranger, Paul Constant; who was highly disappointed in the lack of comprehensive "artful" book review that is seriously lacking in the Seattle literary scene-- with the exception of Seattle Times literary critic Mary Ann Gwinn. According to Constant: "A poorly written book review is about as useful as a fish net condom." He has zero respect for the "vapid fill-in-the-star of oblivious narcissists" (aka Amazon customers)-- also, Amazon has created more (expletive) book reviews in the "history of the universe!" I must confess I am a native Seattleite, write Amazon Book Review, and absolutely loved Constant's articulate hilarious writing style!

There were several notable Seattle authors (and surrounding area writers) that weren't mentioned: Jack Olsen, J.A. Jance, David Gutterson, Amanda Knox, and our late great Ann Rule (1931-2015). Rule was the most accessible authors and loved meeting her fans and signing books. I have a photo with her and my son taken around 2002, we also met her daughter Leslie. On February 2, 2016 I'll be getting my copy of "While The City Slept: A Love Lost to Violence and a Young Man's Decent Into Madness". Seattle author Eli Sanders won the Pulitzer Prize for "The Bravest Woman In Seattle" that chronicled the tragic rape murder story of Teresa Butz, she and her fiancée Jennifer Hopper were attacked in their South Park home on July 19, 2009.
With thanks to the great Seattle Public Library, which was mentioned in this book.

[Beth]

If you are a writer in Seattle or a reader of writers from the area, you might enjoy this collection of reflections on the city as a literary hub. Some of the essays and interviews here are better than others, but all of them give the reader a sense of what the literary community here is like, or in some cases, what it was like. At times, I felt grateful for the history. At other times, it reads a bit like a club that you haven't been invited to join. Ultimately, the thing I appreciated most about the book was the endeavor to define what the literary community and its history is. More cities should attempt this. If it were a series, I'd happily read about other "cities of literature" across the country even if they hadn't gotten the official designation.

[Alexis Hauk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels a bit dated (published in 2015, which really drives home how insane the 20s have been). The different entries vary in quality and insight from person to person. Some feel trite as heck (very MFA old boys’ club)… but some are lovely, specific, personal, and contain good advice for a recent transplant like me looking to get to know the city and its literary history. Favorites included Jim Lynch’s short essay on writing while working as a parking security guard on the graveyard shift. And Shawn Wong on teaching writing to a group of veterans. Definitely recommend skimming the collection and reading what appeals to you, especially if you live in the city or want to visit.

[JB Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This pretty much reads like a love letter to the literary scene in Seattle, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Some of the sections are written interview-style with a variety of literary figures answering the same questions. My favorite of these questions where "Best neighborhood to set a murder mystery?" and "Best neighborhood to set a science-fiction novel?" I liked hearing the different anecdotes about booksellers meeting authors and it was fun to see independent bookstores mentioned that I had visited, myself, in the past.

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of reflections and observations on the city’s history and evolution -- since the mid-twentieth century -- as a haven for writers, poets and booksellers. The particular contributions by Eli Hastings, Garth Stein, Karen Finneyfrock, Teri Hein, and Shawn Wong are precious and priceless. A valuable key to understanding the Seattle literary world! Three and a half stars.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at the community of writers and other book folk in Seattle. I wish it had included a bit more linear history, but as the title states, it was a collection of reflections on the local literary scene. Shout out to Stesha Brandon who was a big part of the UNESCO effort and makes an appearance in the book.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This city (and region) is swimming in the literary.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Paul Constant writes in his review, included as the closing entry in this book about the literary life of Seattle, this is "a terrific idea I've never seen done before." This will hold appeal for a segment of local readers who enjoy backstory as much as the writing itself.