Canadian literature enthusiasts have plenty to celebrate this month with four exceptional new releases from acclaimed authors across the country. From Margaret Atwood's long-awaited memoir to Alan Doyle's heartfelt exploration of Newfoundland, these books showcase the diverse talent within Canada's literary landscape.
Margaret Atwood's Revealing Memoir
Literary icon Margaret Atwood delivers what she describes as a 'memoir of sorts' in her latest work, Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts. Published by McClelland & Stewart, this substantial volume spans more than 500 pages and offers readers unprecedented insight into both the writer and the woman behind the celebrated works.
Atwood, born in November 1939, explores the duality she believes exists in every writer - 'the one who lives, and the one who writes.' The book covers extensive ground from her personal life, including her relationship with late writer Graeme Gibson, to her encounters with wildlife, celebrity experiences, and the political and artistic influences that have shaped her remarkable career.
The author once resisted the idea of writing a memoir but ultimately embraced the opportunity to 'cast a gauzy haze over my stupider or wickeder actions while blaming them on others' and to 'thank my benefactors, reward my friends, trash my enemies, and pay off scores.' The memoir includes photographs and dedicated chapters examining each of her major literary works.
Mark Critch's Patriotic Perspective
Canadian satirist and actor Mark Critch, known for his work on This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Son of a Critch, offers a humorous yet heartfelt examination of Canadian identity in Sorry, Not Sorry: An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting For.
Published by Viking, Critch's book uses his signature wit to explore what it means to be Canadian in contemporary times. He notably describes how 'we had an all-encompassing pain in our arse, and after a painful colonoscopy of introspection we learned it wasn't hemorrhoids or cancer, it was Donald Trump,' suggesting that external pressures have sparked renewed patriotic reflection among Canadians.
Blending historical context with contemporary observations, Critch encourages readers to adopt an 'elbows-up frame of mind' when considering Canada's place in the world and the values worth defending.
R.H. Thomson's Wartime Reflections
Actor and playwright R.H. Thomson presents a poignant exploration of war memory and family history in the newly released paperback edition of By the Ghost Light: Wars, Memory, and Families from Vintage Canada.
The book emerged from Thomson's experiences following performances of his First World War play The Lost Boys, which was based on hundreds of letters sent home by his great uncles during the Great War. After each show, audience members would approach him with their own family war stories, revealing how deeply these historical events continue to resonate with Canadians.
Thomson, whose father fought in the Second World War, uses his platform to encourage Canadians to explore their own family histories, particularly those connected to military service. The timing of this paperback release makes it especially relevant for Remembrance Day reflections this November 11.
Alan Doyle's Newfoundland Journey
Great Big Sea frontman and author Alan Doyle takes readers on a personal tour of his home province in The Smiling Land: All Around the Circle in My Newfoundland and Labrador, published by Doubleday Canada.
Doyle draws on his decade of experience as a tour guide at The Newfoundland Museum in St. John's, where he regularly shared fascinating facts about historical sites he hadn't yet visited personally. He has since completed his own comprehensive tour of the province, and the book captures his adventures through Viking settlements, fishing villages, and iconic lighthouses.
The musician-turned-author shares particularly entertaining stories about Newfoundland's famous icebergs, including one that resembled the Virgin Mary and another that earned the nickname 'Dickie Berg' after being photographed by a berg-watcher in the appropriately named community of Dildo, NL. Doyle's previous literary work includes Where I Belong, establishing him as a compelling voice in Canadian non-fiction.
These four distinct works demonstrate the richness and variety of contemporary Canadian literature, offering something for every reader's taste this month.
