Another recent publication is in the Winter/Spring 2010 issue of WordWorks,  the newsletter of the Fed of BC Writers. It’s a 3-page  interview with poet Lynda Grace Philippsen, who reviewed  English Stories in the Globe online in June 2009. Rather than using a standard structure of Bio, Works, Quotes, and Comments, Lynda has woven all together. The integrated effect is smooth and easy to read.

In recent years I’ve been interviewed several times by young feminist academics writing the history of the women’s movement in BC/Canada. That’s disconcerting — now I am history? all that we did is history? But it’s energizing to be with scholars for whom those past days are so interesting, in a new way, and similarly  it was a pleasure though a tad disconcerting to be with Lynda and to answer her questions.

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After a long gap, this blog starts up once more with some good news.

A special double issue of subTerrain (Nos 54-55), titled “Vancouver’  s Literary Landscape,”  includes a two-page spread on my work. It focuses on my novel Making A Stone Of The Heart, including an excerpt,  but also comments at some length on English Stories. The critique is highly favourable throughout, and to my pleasure is by Bart Campbell. In 2002 we were both finalists for the City of Vancouver Book Prize, I  for Making A Stone and he for a fine and unique book called The Door Is Open (Anvil Press), about his work at a soup kitchen in the Downtown East Side.  (The award went to Stolo: A Coast Salish Historical Atlas, from D & M.

This special issue of subTerrain, like most such, will annoy as much as it pleases. Why is X here? Why on earth isn’t Y here? Etc. I was surprised that so many writers of roughly my generation appeared — seemed like rather a shortage of young people — but reasonably okay with the numbers of women represented. And the feeling, the ambiance of Vancouver did come through intensely.

Another recent appearance, in WordWorks, I’ll address soon.

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Originally published, Monday, March 1 2010

It’s been a long and intense time since I wrote here last. To return to this space now feels right, however. Also the Olympics at last are over!

Since I’m reading a lot of fiction these days, I’m going to write about that..: Yes, I’m writing my own fiction too, but I don’t want to discuss that.

The best book I’ve read in a long time is Tibor Dery’s Niki: The Story Of A Dog. No, not sentimental or anthropomorphic. The novel is set in Hungary 1948-55 roughly, and Niki connects with a middle-aged couple in Pest who are living through those years of political turbulence (a euphemism). Niki is only in part an emblem, a symbol of the couple’s grief, troubles, love, exhaustion, near-defeat. Mostly she is herself, a terrier bitch.

The book is short, compelling, restrained and understated in ways that strengthen the harshness (physical and emotional) of the events described. One chapter, in which Niki goes for her last real walk, is among the most beautiful expressions of praise for the natural words that I’ve read.

An earlier book of Dery’s, The Portuguese Princess, is one of those treats for a reader interested in how a fine writer develops. Only one story, though the longest, in PP is really good, and unfortunately I’ve forgotten its title. . . . It’s about a group of people living in WWII Pest, spending their nights underground in a cellar to escape the bombing. It’s full of striking characters and dialogue, funny and piercing and horrible and graceful by turns. The cointrol and restraint of Niki are lacking, though. The author/narrator is much more present on the page.

One or two more of Dery’s works are available in English, mostly translated by Georges Szertes. Highly recommended. There are only a few copies of his books in the Lower Mainland’s libraries. Try Amazon.

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Originally published, Monday, December 21, 2009

Here’s a link to a blog by Sandra in Scotland. A friend of mine gave her a copy of “The English Stories,” and here’s her take on the book. Thank you Sandra!

Such an unexpected arrival of enthusiasm, insight, praise –it’s wonderful. A Christmas present!

http://apps.blissfultimes.ca/blog/?e=41392&d=12/13/2009&s=No%20Hope%20Heart%20Attacks%2FThe%20English%20Stories#comment

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