40 Below

by Jason Lee Norman (Editor), Diana Davidson (Contributor), Jessica Kluthe

40 Below is Edmonton's Winter Anthology. Stories, poems, and essays about or inspired by winter in Edmonton.

Genres: Poetry, Canada, Anthologies, Short Stories

213 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[Laura Frey (Reading in Bed) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great variety of forms and themes. A solid collection with a couple of standout pieces. My favourite was Sirens by Diana Davidson. Full review to come!

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm probably giving an extra star simply because this is local and I know some of the writers, but that's because I'm proud to live in a city where this has been done! There's a variety of form and structure that makes it feel homegrown and which I appreciate while not always enjoying every attempt. I've given this book as a gift a few times and continue to occasionally pick it up and re-read some of the stories. As I clear out my bookshelves it's time to pass on my last copy and help someone else get through the winter!

[Brie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reinforced all the things I love and hate about winters in Edmonton. A great reminder that no matter where I live, I'll always be an Edmontonian at heart and no matter how much I try and deny it, a piece of me will always long for those frozen winters of Edmonton.

[Alexis]

An anthology celebrating winter in Edmonton. My favourite pieces were the ones written by immigrants, or from people who missed Edmonton winter.

[Paula Kirman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short stories, essays, creative non-fiction, and poetry about winter in Edmonton. Expressions of love, hate, memories, and imagery regarding this long, harsh season.

[Katie Griffin]

i continue to wait for a truly great author from this city…. i know they’re out there somewhere

[Chez Hilroy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mix of evocative and amateurish, but always authentic, 40 Below is a must-have for any Edmontonian. I don't find myself nostalgic for our harsh winters often, but I'll be damned if this collection didn't stir-up a certain wistful longing-- even while I was living our unpleasant cold holed up behind iced-in bedroom windows.

If you've never been to Edmonton--hell, if you've never HEARD of Edmonton--but you want a glimpse of this city's soul, pick this one up. If the stories don't move you individually rest assured that cumulatively they add up to the peculiar atmosphere of our tiny capital.

On the meat-n-bones side of things, I did find the book a little poetry-heavy, which didn't really work for me. As well, there are only a few truly stand-out stories. The rest are welcome and the collection as a whole would be less without them, but I can't say every effort was a page-turner.

Still, I am glad this was written, published, and purchased by me (both for myself and for distant relatives who haven't been knee-deep in snow for a while.) I'm happy it's on my bookshelf and I'll be looking for the next volume.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great analogy of winter in Edmonton. Didn't necessarily love all the submissions, but did enjoy all the different perspectives about Edmonton in the winter. Well done.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of poetry, and oh, the editing. But the stories are cute.

[Madeleine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I might have enjoyed this book had I been reading it a) not in Edmonton and b) not in February.

[Andrew Snook · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite short story was "A short thank you note to Seamus Heaney" by Stuart Thomson on p.133.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brrr! Now I'm cold.