Queereaders discussion
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Hello from Windsor, Ontario
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Welcome, Jer! Is that short for Jeremy?This group is full of such educated people, that I'm beginning to feel a little inadequate with my BS in General Studies. Sometimes I'd like to continue and go for my masters, or another BS, but the thought of getting into more debt stops me.
Are there any good Canadian writers you would recommend?
Thanks! Jer is indeed short for Jeremy, but don't tell anyone.
Going for a masters is indeed quite a commitment of both time and money (and sanity)-- I guess it is one of those things where you'll just know if it is for you or not once you get started. It obviously was for me; I can honestly say at this point that it has been the best experience of my life so far. Here's hoping I like doing my PhD even better!
Canadian writers: not gonna go with the obvious--and obviously great--Atwood, Munro, etc. One sorta obvious great that people outside of Canada might not know: Alistair MacLeod. Known for years as an ace short story writer, and finally published his one and only novel NO GREAT MISCHIEF about 15 years ago. It is about as perfect a Canadian novel as I can imagine. Sadly, he passed away earlier this year. His son, Alexander MacLeod, is also a writer and has a quite excellent short story collection out called LIGHT LIFTING.
I don't think Thomas King gets much notice outside of Canada either, but he's a bit of a national literary treasure here. His writing--essays, short fiction, novels, children's stories--on Native issues are a treat; whimsical and sad and hilarious and angry and poignant, often all at once. His essay collection THE TRUTH ABOUT STORIES--particular the titular essay--is what I'd endorse, mostly because it was also *my* starting point.
Sean Michaels just won the Giller Prize--one of Canada's most prestigious for literature--for his debut novel US CONDUCTORS, which is an absolutely lovely book, full of music and spies and romance. I've spent the last few months hyping it to anyone who will listen, so seeing him pick up this honour feels kind of vindicating.
Of course, none of those are really queer themed works, so not really on topic of our little collective here. For that, I'd recommend Suzette Mayr's unusual but captivating MONOCEROS, which begins, quite topically, with a gay teen's suicide before sputtering out into all sorts of unexpected directions.
I have Brian Francis's FRUIT, an acclaimed queer-themed Canadian novel, sitting on my shelf and waiting to be read, so hopefully I will get to that soon and be able to talk about it.
I hope you might find something useful in there. Thanks again for the warm welcome!
Going for a masters is indeed quite a commitment of both time and money (and sanity)-- I guess it is one of those things where you'll just know if it is for you or not once you get started. It obviously was for me; I can honestly say at this point that it has been the best experience of my life so far. Here's hoping I like doing my PhD even better!
Canadian writers: not gonna go with the obvious--and obviously great--Atwood, Munro, etc. One sorta obvious great that people outside of Canada might not know: Alistair MacLeod. Known for years as an ace short story writer, and finally published his one and only novel NO GREAT MISCHIEF about 15 years ago. It is about as perfect a Canadian novel as I can imagine. Sadly, he passed away earlier this year. His son, Alexander MacLeod, is also a writer and has a quite excellent short story collection out called LIGHT LIFTING.
I don't think Thomas King gets much notice outside of Canada either, but he's a bit of a national literary treasure here. His writing--essays, short fiction, novels, children's stories--on Native issues are a treat; whimsical and sad and hilarious and angry and poignant, often all at once. His essay collection THE TRUTH ABOUT STORIES--particular the titular essay--is what I'd endorse, mostly because it was also *my* starting point.
Sean Michaels just won the Giller Prize--one of Canada's most prestigious for literature--for his debut novel US CONDUCTORS, which is an absolutely lovely book, full of music and spies and romance. I've spent the last few months hyping it to anyone who will listen, so seeing him pick up this honour feels kind of vindicating.
Of course, none of those are really queer themed works, so not really on topic of our little collective here. For that, I'd recommend Suzette Mayr's unusual but captivating MONOCEROS, which begins, quite topically, with a gay teen's suicide before sputtering out into all sorts of unexpected directions.
I have Brian Francis's FRUIT, an acclaimed queer-themed Canadian novel, sitting on my shelf and waiting to be read, so hopefully I will get to that soon and be able to talk about it.
I hope you might find something useful in there. Thanks again for the warm welcome!
Thanks so much for your interesting and informative post! I've not heard of any of the writers you mentioned, so I will be looking them up. Other Canadian writers I know are Ivan E. Coyote, Kathleen Winter, Elizabeth Hay, Karin Lowachee and Robert Charles Wilson. The last two are SF writers.
I look forward to your thoughts on these books, queer or not.
Thanks for the recommendations, Nancy! Winter's ANNABEL is one of those I've been meaning to read for a few years. Will look into the others.
One I can't believe I forgot to mention: David Rakoff's LOVE, DISHONOR, MARRY, DIE, CHERISH, PERISH. Both Canadian *and* queer-themed. Also, amazing. I don't think I've ever laughed so much while reading a book that also made me cry so much, and vice versa.
One I can't believe I forgot to mention: David Rakoff's LOVE, DISHONOR, MARRY, DIE, CHERISH, PERISH. Both Canadian *and* queer-themed. Also, amazing. I don't think I've ever laughed so much while reading a book that also made me cry so much, and vice versa.
Annabel was a very good book and I feel a little ungenerous giving it only 3 stars. My review and comments below explain why.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish looks like something I'd really enjoy. A number of my friends here also liked it. I'm thinking it might be a good one to nominate for a future group read.
Thanks so much for all the recommendations, Jer!
Queereaders
Books mentioned in this topic
Annabel (other topics)Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Ivan E. Coyote (other topics)Kathleen Winter (other topics)
Elizabeth Hay (other topics)
Karin Lowachee (other topics)
Robert Charles Wilson (other topics)
Thanks to whoever accepted my request to join the group.
I'm a grad student finishing up my MA in English literature at the University of Windsor. Hoping to do my PhD (*fingers crossed* re: getting accepted somewhere) in queerness--whether overt or not--in YA, or at least youth-themed (and possibly Canadian) literature. Thought this would be a great resource for finding things to read, as well as a great place to meet some interesting people with likeminded tastes and interests. Looking forward to being part of your little club!