| This week, a look at two collections of essays, dispelling the myths of why comic books are unfairly maligned (except for Archie and other assorted tripe), and how wonderfully writers are able to illuminate their craft (aside from how notoriously unreliable they are when it comes to film adaptations of their work – Stephen King hated The Shining, David Guterson liked Snow Falling on Cedars).
The anthology Writing Life (McClelland & Stewart, 480 pp.) is a healthy tome, filled with tidbits and wisdom from a cross-section of Canadian writers (with the occasional non-Canadian thrown in for good measure). Almost all of the essays are great, except for, once again, George Bowering, who’s cloyingly insipid, old-timey yarns are as excruciating as ever. The odd one that’s more oblique, or takes the opportunity to submit a back-rubbing anecdote is still entertaining – it can be scary to let the public into one’s creative history and process.
Many authors chose to take the biographical route – Margaret Atwood, Margaret Drabble – while others, like Camilla Gibb, do the same, but with a hazier, third-person-styled approach. Inspiration is culled from nature and travel, but more so from reading and encountering other writers. An author’s awareness of celebrity is more palpable, in that the distance they have from the months of quiet, creative process to public awareness, credibility and sales often feels like an abyss.
That said, many chose to write on their public reading experiences. Readers won’t be surprised to hear the ambivalence that many of them feel (as former International Festival of Authors artistic director Greg Gatenby notes, many have complained to him over the years of how supposedly boring readings are). Some give their anger a hilarious turn, like Lynn Coady’s great essay of trials, tribulations and lactose intolerance.
The only infuriating comment comes from Gatenby’s essay, when he gives partial explanation and excuse to said feelings, noting the stress, travel and "inane press interviews." Aside from gnawing on the hand that feeds, I can attest that often a failed interview can be attributed to this attitude. Either way, a minor trifle in a book stuffed with great stories. And the book helps out PEN Canada as well (which works in defence of writers who have been imprisoned across the world for their work).
As the back of The Sandman Papers (Fantagraphics, 196 pp.) attests, the comic series is indeed a phenomenon (even the nasty daughter in Roseanne adored it, and that was ages ago). Like The Watchmen, it was the one comic that even people who weren’t fans of the genre would read – it’s still one of Vertigo’s (DC) best-selling titles.
While Neil Gaiman (who’s also had a successful novel writing career) clipped the character of the Sandman from the myriad lists of forgotten heroes and villains, the real inspiration – and success of the series – was its genre-bending mix of symbolism, comic lore and literature. Visuals ranged from the sublime to an EC-styled horror esthetic. The Sandman is one of the rare examples where having a working knowledge of Shakespeare and mythology added to the experience.
Culling essays from critics, scholars and fans alike, The Sandman Papers offers interpretations on the various arcs and themes throughout Gaiman’s universe, often ones he himself didn’t know existed. From Orientalism to Borges and Queer studies, each essay is buoyed by a genuine love of The Sandman, creating a collection that is both free from critical stuffiness and should entertain fans of literary essays. And, hopefully, it will inspire new readers to check out the comic as well (visit Gaiman’s website for a chronological list of the series and its supplementary books).
At McNally Robinson on Tuesday, July 4 at noon, Jeannie Henke is signing copies of her collection of travel stories, Compass Companions: A Collection of Canadian Travel Stories. At 7 p.m., the store hosts readings from sociologist Metta Spencer, with her new book Two Aspirins and a Comedy, and Joy Kogawa with Emily Kato, a sequel-of-sorts to the bestselling Obasan, read by every ninth grader since the mid ’80s.
On Thursday, July 6 at noon, Annabelle Bondar reads from her memoir and exploration of illness, Messages from the Heart: Learning to Love Cancer. At 7 p.m., Quizspotting offers book lovers a chance to test their knowledge with a pub-styled trivia game. Teams up to four can register by calling the bookstore at (403) 538-1797.
In support of sending winners to Toronto to compete in the CBC Poetry Slam, the Calgary contingent is putting on a slam this Thursday, June 29 at 8 p.m., at the Beat Niq Jazz and Social Club. The evening will feature readings from sheri-D wilson and Kirk Miles. As well, BookTV will be there to film the event for an upcoming documentary on Canadian poets, Heart of a Poet.
WordFest is looking for volunteers to help with this year’s festival, October 10 to 15. If you’re interested, contact volunteer coordinator Ulrike Thomas at volunteers@wordfest.com, or at (403) 645-4098.
J.K. Rowling has announced that she’s killing off two characters for the seventh and last Harry Potter book. Apparently, the last chapter has been written for some time now and according to reports, Rowling (worth an estimated billion dollars) will spend her remaining years revelling in the dreams of semi-literate children, who, so devastated by the end of the series, will never read again.
Also, in regard to last week’s letter – thanks for pointing out the error, Emily. I only figured that, since the novel takes place in a fictional town, it must have been Manitoba, as I believe Manitoba doesn’t exist. |
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