Reading In Canadian

Susanne Marshall explores the range of languages and the often futile attempt of trying to pin down what is “Canadian.”

The Wreck of the Titanic, in Poetry

The sinking of the Titanic has resonated now for 100 years in the consciousness of Canadians. The grief, wonder, and curiosity the disaster continues to inspire has been the impetus for countless literary works. While the majority of these are factual or biographical, significant imaginative works of poetry and prose have been produced, works that [...]

Read More »

Leave a comment Tags: , , ,

Thoughts on Populism and the Arts

populism-banner

Literature editor Susanne Marshall “longs for serious engagement with literature in the public sphere” and explores the effectiveness of populist literary awards like Canada Reads and CBC’s Bookie Awards.

Read More »

1 Comment Tags: , ,

Love, Driving Rain, and Al Purdy: “Over the Hills in the Rain, My Dear”

Al Purdy

“Over the Hills in the Rain, My Dear” is a poem that encapsulates the long endurance and ridiculous wonder of longtime love. What better poem for Valentine’s Day?

Read More »

Leave a comment Tags: , , , , ,

CanLit is Sexy: Warming Wintry Readers

canlit-is-sexy-header

The tumblr blog CanLit is Sexy has paired famous Canadian authors with naughty reconfigurations of some of their best-known titles into pickup lines, to hilarious effect. Laugh, blush, and enjoy!

Read More »

2 Comments Tags: , , , ,

The M&S Takeover: Where is Canadian Publishing Going?

A: Apparently to Germany. Today it was announced that the German-based publishing conglomerate Bertelsmann AG, which owns Random House, took full control of McClelland and Stewart, venerable independent Canadian publishing house and champion of Canadian literature through its flowering in the 20th century under the leadership of Jack McClelland, when it published such  stars in [...]

Read More »

6 Comments Tags: , , ,

En quête de contes de Noël canadiens

Les vacances de Noël sont le moment idéal nous donnant une autre raison, si besoin est, de s’installer avec un livre dans un coin bien au chaud par une belle soirée d’hiver. Peut-être à la chaleur du poêle à bois ronronnant, les lumières de l’arbre scintillant dans un coin, et une bonne tasse chaude à la [...]

Read More »

1 Comment

In Search of Canadian Christmas Stories

Civil War Christmas Thomas Nast

Canada has no classic Christmas story! But that doesn’t stop Susanne Marshall from searching high and low for a Canadian tale worthy of the season.

Read More »

6 Comments Tags: ,

Prize Pressure vs. the Pleasure of Meandering

At this time of year, it’s easy to get caught up in reader anxiety: why haven’t I picked up Book X yet? Friend Y has already read book Z and I haven’t! Zounds, I still haven’t read all the shortlisted books from last year’s Prize A! Some of this stress makes sense, as after all, [...]

Read More »

5 Comments Tags: , ,

The Pleasure of Listening

In time for Canadian Library Month, Susanne Marshall reminds us of the unique sensation of listening to – not reading – stories.

Read More »

Leave a comment Tags: , , ,

Learning to Read Canadian

Literacy_Susanne_Banner

Understanding the depth of our literary history and the breadth of style, scope and subject of our fiction, poetry, and drama brings us together as a cultural unit.

Read More »

3 Comments Tags: , , ,