Posted 12 years ago
maggiethecat
(5 items)
When I moved to Canada in the 1970s my first great discovery was the incredible wealth of literature by living women authors. Gabrielle Roy's The Tin Flute is a classic and required reading in Quebec high schools. An absorbing study of poverty and how WWII saved one Montreal family. Alas Ms. Roy is no longer with us. First English edition.
Margaret Atwood who has won just about every English language award for literature writes poetry and prose with strong political and social commentary. I stumbled on her by accident when I saw a notice that she was lecturing across the street from where I lived. I left the lecture and headed to the nearest bookstore. First edition.
I have a hard time reading Alice Munro books, not because they are boring but because she stirs up my subconscious and starts me off on journeys of self discovery. The best course I ever took was a study of Ms. Munro's work...all women who worshipped at the feet of Alice.
E. Annie Proulx is a different kind of writer. She captures characters and cultures in such a way you feel you grew up in the town and had known all the people since birth. Shipping News was made into a film starring Kevin Spacey and Julianne Moore. Great book, poor movie. Also look for her Accordian Crimes about the life of an accordian and all those who owned it.