December 4, 2010
Giantesses: Gadd, Copithorne, Rodin & Robertson
Some links: Giantesses features the work of Maxine Gadd, Judith Copithorne Renee Rodin, and other women poet/visual artists. I love the line in Lisa Robertson’s intro which describes them or their work as possessed of
“An unembarrassed and clear criticality which never refuses the complexities of daily existence”
Sadly one of the complexities of my daily existence this moment is fever and sciatica, which renders me unable to say much more on this, despite wishing to. Another time I’ll revisit it. Mainly want to record the link here for the purpose of a revisit.
December 3, 2010
Crossings: a return Dec 1, 2010
Thank you so much to everyone who came out to the event I organized last night at the Vancouver Public Library, Crossings: a return.
I’m extremely grateful to the readers Julie Okot Bitek, Annabel Lyon, Claudia Casper, Renee Rodin, Lori Weidenhammer for their support and enthusiasm in this ongoing adventure of ours, their contributions were so thoughtful, considered, and engaging, alongside beautifully delivered readings from the novel and one of Betty’s plays
We were honoured to have Betty Lambert’s family at the event and a special thank you to Betty’s daughter Ruth-Ann Lambert and Betty’s sister Dorothy who (impromptu) shared such moving stories about Betty.
When I conceived of this event I could never have imagined what took place. I continue to be struck by how the dynamic of multiple writers engaging, considering and reading from the same book affords us a rich and fruitful engagement with the text. Last night’s event was about the reading of literature, it sprung from the absent minded grab of a book on the Reference shelf on the first floor of VPL, back whenever it was (likely recorded on this blog) and to have my enthusiasm for the book translate into what took place and was shared last night was so uplifting and I am v grateful to everyone who came out to the event.
Crossings is an astonishing novel, I hope readers discover it or rediscover it and I hope it’s returned to print shortly whether digital or paper.
November 30, 2010
I reported on a story today with a detail that given the current situation in Ireland caused me to smile. A long touted casino development planned for Independent TD Michael Lowry’s Tipperary constituency (note: one of two independent TD’s that hold the power of govt with their votes) has the building of a replica of The Whitehouse included in its plans.
An Taisce intends to appeal the plans on the grounds they flout national, regional, and local policies of sustainable development.
November 30, 2010
I am still tickled by the thought of not being able to find the title of something called Is.
Some other things that made me laugh in the past 24 hrs
– a shovel.
– a hammer.
– my son.
– a description of a football match, complete with physical demo & pink tennis ball with eyes on it.
– emails.
– two women at the pay machine in a car park.
November 30, 2010
The Bad Sex in Fiction Award, that picked up so much more press than any other literary occurrence in this country in recent patter of days, should be retitled The No Sex in Fiction Award. For that is the intention behind it. It’s a bunch of puritanical, moralistic woof and note the actual decision makers are nameless, faceless, anatomy-less perhaps — floppy and sloppy we must conclude. The scope of their reading doesn’t extend to their own paragraph detailing what qualifies and the purpose.
Whenever does anyone ever mention The Literary Review, except for this annual dunce fest.
November 29, 2010
OK this is pretty funny, a writer has just confirmed for me that the book I was reading earlier in the Ref library and couldn’t figure out the title to is called Is. I thought that was an abbreviation for Issue.
In fact it wasn’t a book at all, it was a magazine, though I could swear blind I was reading a book this afternoon, despite having no clue as to the title.
It reminded me how much I enjoy books that give little clue to what they are and offer a puzzle and the chance to be whatever you, the reader, decide they might be. Is. Is. Is. Is.
November 29, 2010
One Zero Zero Virtual Library
Here’s a curious collection I just tripped upon: One Zero Zero Virtual Library: A Virtual Library of English Canadian Small Press 1945 – 2044.
Each year another (out of print?) text (blue are live) will be added to this digital library. For such niftyness click here
November 29, 2010
Wanted: info
Is. 12/13 West Coast Issue
Is.12
Winter 1973
West Coast Writing
(edited by Victor Coleman and George Bowering)
Printed in Canada by The Coach House Press
Single Copies $1.50
No unsolicited mss please.
Cover by Slim Flowers
Flip Book: Al Neill
______________
Does this ring any bells? I was just reading this book and am tryin’ to figure out the title. I know odd bod question.