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The Coincidence Problem: Selected Dispatches 1999–2022
From the heart of the city to the edges of the a brilliant and observant essay collection by a modern flaneur
In 1990, writer Stephen Osborne and his partner, Mary Schendlinger, began publishing Geist, a literary quarterly based in Vancouver, BC. From the beginning, the magazine established a reputation for observant photography, thoughtful essays, and off-the-wall humour, not least because of Osborne's regular contributions. The Coincidence Problem brings together Osborne's dispatches covering a wide range of subjects, from civic monuments to family history to global terrorism, the lynching of Indigenous youth Louie Sam, end times in the Arctic, and yes, even cats. A modern flaneur, he investigates the city, translates the ordinary, and deflates the pretentious. The Coincidence Problem confirms Osborne's reputation as an incisive writer of narrative non-fiction that is at once personal and expansive.
This publication meets the EPUB Accessibility requirements and it also meets the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG-AA). It is screen-reader friendly and is accessible to persons with disabilities. This book is defined with accessible structural markup. This book contains various accessibility features such as alternative text for images, table of contents, page-list, landmark, reading order and semantic structure.
In 1990, writer Stephen Osborne and his partner, Mary Schendlinger, began publishing Geist, a literary quarterly based in Vancouver, BC. From the beginning, the magazine established a reputation for observant photography, thoughtful essays, and off-the-wall humour, not least because of Osborne's regular contributions. The Coincidence Problem brings together Osborne's dispatches covering a wide range of subjects, from civic monuments to family history to global terrorism, the lynching of Indigenous youth Louie Sam, end times in the Arctic, and yes, even cats. A modern flaneur, he investigates the city, translates the ordinary, and deflates the pretentious. The Coincidence Problem confirms Osborne's reputation as an incisive writer of narrative non-fiction that is at once personal and expansive.
This publication meets the EPUB Accessibility requirements and it also meets the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG-AA). It is screen-reader friendly and is accessible to persons with disabilities. This book is defined with accessible structural markup. This book contains various accessibility features such as alternative text for images, table of contents, page-list, landmark, reading order and semantic structure.
320 pages, Paperback
Published October 29, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 2, 2024
Unearthing History, Shaping Perspective: A Journey Through Time and Thought.
How did the book make me feel/think?
Stephen Osborne’s “The Coincidence Problem” is a quiet marvel that sneaks up on you, embedding itself deeply in your mind. Through an eclectic mix of historical dispatches—many rooted in Vancouver and British Columbia—Osborne doesn’t just recount stories; he invites readers to wrestle with life’s big questions: injustice, inequality, and meaning.
More than a historical anthology, this collection reads like a reflective memoir, revealing how these narratives shaped Osborne’s worldview and his pursuit of what truly matters. Each story demands rereading, gently nudging the mind toward richer, more thoughtful perspectives.
WRITTEN: 2 December 2024
How did the book make me feel/think?
Stephen Osborne’s “The Coincidence Problem” is a quiet marvel that sneaks up on you, embedding itself deeply in your mind. Through an eclectic mix of historical dispatches—many rooted in Vancouver and British Columbia—Osborne doesn’t just recount stories; he invites readers to wrestle with life’s big questions: injustice, inequality, and meaning.
More than a historical anthology, this collection reads like a reflective memoir, revealing how these narratives shaped Osborne’s worldview and his pursuit of what truly matters. Each story demands rereading, gently nudging the mind toward richer, more thoughtful perspectives.
WRITTEN: 2 December 2024
August 17, 2025
Reviewed on StoryGraph.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews