God is not a fish inspector

by W.D. Valgardson

Genres: Short Stories

133 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

William Dempsey Valgardson (born 7 May 1939) is a Canadian novelist, short story writer, and poet. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Gimli, Manitoba, he completed his BA at United College, BEd at the University of Manitoba, and his MFA at the University of Iowa. He was a long-time professor of writing at the University of Victoria in British Columbia.

His writing often focuses on cultural differences and involve irony and symbolism. His short stories involve normal people in normal situations, yet under certain circumstances, lead unusual and surprising lives.

Valgardson has won numerous awards and accolades, including the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize for The Girl With the Botticelli Face (1992) and the Books in Canada First Novel Award for Gentle Sinners (1980). His short story, "Bloodflowers", was included in Best American Short Stories 1971.

Reviews

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a slow start but it helped paint the picture.
The daughter and her husband have nothing going for them, which, makes them want to push the old man into a retirement home so they can have his house. I sympathize with the crazy, stubborn, old man and his determination to continue to live life and not resign himself to a death born of a stultifying life.

[TQPS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. I liked the sneaky old man tho

[Dorothy Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favourite collection from long ago, got a copy discarded from the library. A prize!

[Megan]

Not for me, bleak stories- much more violent than expected, all the characters very cold

[burger queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
A good read. You can really sympathize with Fusi at the end of the story. I really enjoyed the suspense and buildup in the beginning.