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Vancouver Special
Vancouver is at a crossroads in its history—host to the 2010 Winter Olympics and home to the poorest neighborhood in Canada, it is a young, multicultural city with a vibrant surface and a violent undercoat. In Vancouver Special, an alternative guidebook, writer and performer Charles Demers digs deep to examine the past, present, and future of Vancouver, shedding light on the various strategies and influences that have made the city what it is today (and what it should be). Vancouver Special is a love letter to the city, taking a no-holds-barred look at Lotusland with verve, wit, and insight.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Charles Demers
14 books36 followersCharles Demers (born 1980) is a Canadian writer, comedian and political activist. He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is a lecturer at the University of British Columbia, where he teaches a Creative Writing course about writing comedy.
Demers has published three books: a novel and two collections of essays. His first essay collection, Vancouver Special, was nominated for a Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize. He also frequently performs comedy at live venues across Canada and on the CBC Radio One, where he often appears on the show The Debaters. Demers was one of the hosts of the CityNews show The List. He used to be the membership secretary for the Coalition of Progressive Electors.
He is the voice of Walter from Beat Bugs.
Source: Wikipedia.
Demers has published three books: a novel and two collections of essays. His first essay collection, Vancouver Special, was nominated for a Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize. He also frequently performs comedy at live venues across Canada and on the CBC Radio One, where he often appears on the show The Debaters. Demers was one of the hosts of the CityNews show The List. He used to be the membership secretary for the Coalition of Progressive Electors.
He is the voice of Walter from Beat Bugs.
Source: Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 16, 2012
this book was brutal and by brutal i mean i refused to finish it, which is extremely rare for me.
the content of this book is good but the writing style reads like he is trying to impress every SFU professor he had, which i found beyond pathetic, pompous and pretentious.
i realize this is a book about Vancouver but i still found myself shocked over his blatant snobbery. there was nothing even remotely 'resplendent' about it.
the content of this book is good but the writing style reads like he is trying to impress every SFU professor he had, which i found beyond pathetic, pompous and pretentious.
i realize this is a book about Vancouver but i still found myself shocked over his blatant snobbery. there was nothing even remotely 'resplendent' about it.
June 22, 2023
Prepping for my trip to Vancouver in September. Besides the usual travel manuals I've read a couple of informative issues by local writers. This read highlights the prominent neighborhoods of the city as well as personal anecdotes on each area. Next, he explores the peoples of this city. What a discovery to find so many and varied ethnic groups. Finally, Demers explains the culture of this great Western Canadian metropolis. We looks at nature, food, homes, sports, transportation, crime and politics. Interesting black and white photography from the archives of Emmanuel Buenviaje.
March 20, 2011
Charles Demers is a man torn between the Vancouver of his youth, and the one that exists today. Reading Vancouver Special was an interesting experience, one that inspired almost as much knee-jerk defence as it did warm and fuzzy vibes.
I was five when my family abandoned my birthplace of Calgary for South Surrey, BC. (The “South” is always emphasized, lest we be unfortunately lumped in with the Whalley crowd. It was often easier to just say “White Rock” and be done with it.) As a suburban kid, living on the outskirts of Vancouver, the city always had a bit of a mystery to it; everything was bigger, brighter, and more boisterous. What did all that mean? In a nutshell: excitement.
In my university days, I gravitated away from the ‘burbs and took up residence in the theatres and stores and restaurants of Vancouver as if I’d been walking the streets my entire life. But I was a transplant—the city held all the adrenaline and none of the black marks or the history that I knew were as much a part of its pavement as anything. When I’d hear West Enders bitching about the Kits crowd, or the Yaletowners turning their nose up at the Downtown East Side’s most unfortunate, it didn’t register—not like it would for a true Vancouverite, not for a long time after I’d implanted myself into the city proper. Even now I still see more of the beauty and rush of the city than I do the conflicting social hierarchies and more-than-obvious problems, ranging from insufficient policing to rampant gentrification, from drug use and homelessness to racism and exclusion.
Charles Demers’s Vancouver Special is at once a love letter to the city he knew in his youth—and knows is still there, somewhere—and a condemnation of what the city has become as a result of so much social and political divergence. Over 29 chapters, Demers breaks down the neighbourhoods, people, and culture of Vancouver—the good and the bad. A comedian and activist, Demers writes with an intelligence that is rooted in research and shared experience. He laces the text with enough humour to keep the book light in tone. But between the lines, it’s impossible to miss the snatches of sorrow he clearly feels over missed opportunities for Vancouver to make right for so many wrongs and truly become the city it’s meant to be.
While reading, it was difficult not to feel slighted—as if Vancouver was being attacked without reason. But my adoration for the city is a teenage love affair still in bloom; it is a beautiful, amazing place, but it is also a liar of the highest calibre—when the world stopped in to see us for the 2010 Winter Games, they saw our best and brightest face, the glamour that obscured the scar tissue of the DTES. Because we’ve always donned our best designer tracksuits and gone out for a run, rain, rain, rain or shine (or rain). Vancouver is a city divided into clearly defined ethnic and social sects, each one looking forward with tunnelled vision, not wanting to look to the periphery should they happen to see something they might not like about their fair city.
I’m as guilty of this as anyone; I choose to see the city minus its acne. But no city is perfect, and no populace is without fault. I miss Vancouver every day, in spite of its many problems. Because it is still a world-class city, even if it unnecessarily feels it has to prove that fact to the world watching from beyond our borders. Vancouver Special never forgets this. Though it often feels as if Demers is lamenting the death of a loved one before they’ve been put in the ground, the love he has for Vancouver is undeniable.
And as a man who denies his ties to Surrey (for reasons which are many and obvious, should one spend an afternoon at the King George SkyTrain station and manage to get home without getting mugged), I was certainly able to appreciate a lot of the shots taken at its expense:
Surrey is the cultural whipping boy of the GVRD; it’s Vancouver’s New Jersey, except that New Jersey gave the world Philip Roth and Bruce Springsteen. Surrey is a city seemingly without zoning, and so it makes no sense as you drive through it (which you essentially have to do, even though the SkyTrain line cuts deeply into the city—fitting, because people in the city get cut deeply next to the SkyTrain).
Spot-on, Charles. Unfortunately.
I was five when my family abandoned my birthplace of Calgary for South Surrey, BC. (The “South” is always emphasized, lest we be unfortunately lumped in with the Whalley crowd. It was often easier to just say “White Rock” and be done with it.) As a suburban kid, living on the outskirts of Vancouver, the city always had a bit of a mystery to it; everything was bigger, brighter, and more boisterous. What did all that mean? In a nutshell: excitement.
In my university days, I gravitated away from the ‘burbs and took up residence in the theatres and stores and restaurants of Vancouver as if I’d been walking the streets my entire life. But I was a transplant—the city held all the adrenaline and none of the black marks or the history that I knew were as much a part of its pavement as anything. When I’d hear West Enders bitching about the Kits crowd, or the Yaletowners turning their nose up at the Downtown East Side’s most unfortunate, it didn’t register—not like it would for a true Vancouverite, not for a long time after I’d implanted myself into the city proper. Even now I still see more of the beauty and rush of the city than I do the conflicting social hierarchies and more-than-obvious problems, ranging from insufficient policing to rampant gentrification, from drug use and homelessness to racism and exclusion.
Charles Demers’s Vancouver Special is at once a love letter to the city he knew in his youth—and knows is still there, somewhere—and a condemnation of what the city has become as a result of so much social and political divergence. Over 29 chapters, Demers breaks down the neighbourhoods, people, and culture of Vancouver—the good and the bad. A comedian and activist, Demers writes with an intelligence that is rooted in research and shared experience. He laces the text with enough humour to keep the book light in tone. But between the lines, it’s impossible to miss the snatches of sorrow he clearly feels over missed opportunities for Vancouver to make right for so many wrongs and truly become the city it’s meant to be.
While reading, it was difficult not to feel slighted—as if Vancouver was being attacked without reason. But my adoration for the city is a teenage love affair still in bloom; it is a beautiful, amazing place, but it is also a liar of the highest calibre—when the world stopped in to see us for the 2010 Winter Games, they saw our best and brightest face, the glamour that obscured the scar tissue of the DTES. Because we’ve always donned our best designer tracksuits and gone out for a run, rain, rain, rain or shine (or rain). Vancouver is a city divided into clearly defined ethnic and social sects, each one looking forward with tunnelled vision, not wanting to look to the periphery should they happen to see something they might not like about their fair city.
I’m as guilty of this as anyone; I choose to see the city minus its acne. But no city is perfect, and no populace is without fault. I miss Vancouver every day, in spite of its many problems. Because it is still a world-class city, even if it unnecessarily feels it has to prove that fact to the world watching from beyond our borders. Vancouver Special never forgets this. Though it often feels as if Demers is lamenting the death of a loved one before they’ve been put in the ground, the love he has for Vancouver is undeniable.
And as a man who denies his ties to Surrey (for reasons which are many and obvious, should one spend an afternoon at the King George SkyTrain station and manage to get home without getting mugged), I was certainly able to appreciate a lot of the shots taken at its expense:
Surrey is the cultural whipping boy of the GVRD; it’s Vancouver’s New Jersey, except that New Jersey gave the world Philip Roth and Bruce Springsteen. Surrey is a city seemingly without zoning, and so it makes no sense as you drive through it (which you essentially have to do, even though the SkyTrain line cuts deeply into the city—fitting, because people in the city get cut deeply next to the SkyTrain).
Spot-on, Charles. Unfortunately.
June 16, 2011
Vancouver Special tells an authentic story of Vancouver, warts and all. The story starts with it's cover and layout. The book itself is austere and colorless, filled with stark, black and while photographs. It is reflective of a particular image of Vancouverthe overcast drizzle that is all too familiar to residents.
The title refers to the much maligned houses production houses that were built in droves between the late sixties and early eighties. Their homely, boxy shape has been the butt of many jokes. Despite the these jabs, Vancouver Specials have become a nostalgic favorite of many Vancouverites. They may be homely and have many shortcomings, but they are authentic and they are 'ours'. As such, it is a perfect title for a book that highlights the cities many shortcomings, but still manages to conveys that authors earnest love of the city.
Demers' takes readers on a tour of the city. But instead of providing short vignettes, it provides longer essays. After an introduction sets that stage, Demers takes readers through several Vancouver's neighbourhoods in the first section The second section looks at the various cultures and races of people that live here. The third section is where it get most interesting. Here Demers takes an in-depth look at various aspects of culture that define the city, from pot to peace
Vancouver Special is also filled with great photographyhaunting black and white shots of everyday life in the city. These picture reinforce the authentic feel of the book.
if the book has a flaw, it is Demers' unflinching leftist take on the challenges Vancouver faces. This could alienate some readers.
The title refers to the much maligned houses production houses that were built in droves between the late sixties and early eighties. Their homely, boxy shape has been the butt of many jokes. Despite the these jabs, Vancouver Specials have become a nostalgic favorite of many Vancouverites. They may be homely and have many shortcomings, but they are authentic and they are 'ours'. As such, it is a perfect title for a book that highlights the cities many shortcomings, but still manages to conveys that authors earnest love of the city.
Demers' takes readers on a tour of the city. But instead of providing short vignettes, it provides longer essays. After an introduction sets that stage, Demers takes readers through several Vancouver's neighbourhoods in the first section The second section looks at the various cultures and races of people that live here. The third section is where it get most interesting. Here Demers takes an in-depth look at various aspects of culture that define the city, from pot to peace
Vancouver Special is also filled with great photographyhaunting black and white shots of everyday life in the city. These picture reinforce the authentic feel of the book.
if the book has a flaw, it is Demers' unflinching leftist take on the challenges Vancouver faces. This could alienate some readers.
August 7, 2011
Finished reading this the same day that the Canucks lost Game 7 and tons of assholes destroyed the city. I thought it was sort of fitting that the last two chapters were 'Sports' and 'Vanarchism' - even though the riots were actually caused by idiots with absolutely no agenda/politcal motive, aside from wanting to rob London Drugs of all their Pringles.
Alongside Coupland's 'City of Glass', it's definitely a cannon-look inside the city, breaking down Van-city by each neighborhood and also Vancouverisms, obvious and not -- Pot, Food, Homes Racism, as well as Black Histoy and Quebecois. Lots of fun facts and interesting tidbits, and lots of shout-outs to other Vancouver peeps with interesting anecdotes to tell.
The photos in the all-black-and-white book are pretty great, too - defining snapshots that don't feel obvious.
As lousy as the riot made me feel about Vancouver, the day before I finished reading it, there was a comedy show (author Charlie Demers was one of the featured comics, too) at the Biltmore that helped prove that there's a ton of funny, intelligent people that deserve way more recognition than spoiled water-poloist douches that try and light cop cars on fire after their hockey club loses.
Alongside Coupland's 'City of Glass', it's definitely a cannon-look inside the city, breaking down Van-city by each neighborhood and also Vancouverisms, obvious and not -- Pot, Food, Homes Racism, as well as Black Histoy and Quebecois. Lots of fun facts and interesting tidbits, and lots of shout-outs to other Vancouver peeps with interesting anecdotes to tell.
The photos in the all-black-and-white book are pretty great, too - defining snapshots that don't feel obvious.
As lousy as the riot made me feel about Vancouver, the day before I finished reading it, there was a comedy show (author Charlie Demers was one of the featured comics, too) at the Biltmore that helped prove that there's a ton of funny, intelligent people that deserve way more recognition than spoiled water-poloist douches that try and light cop cars on fire after their hockey club loses.
December 28, 2010
As a very fresh Vancouverite, I feel like like the only way to judge Demers's book is from the very limited perspective of a newcomer. I was reading the book as a guide to Vancouver; as such, I found it quite clever at times and very informative in terms of local culture and society -- although I missed a load of local puns and references, and too often felt lost.
However, regardless of the reader's knowledge about Vancouver, what this book lacks -- being over-abundant in facts and information -- is the real "juice", the communication of emotions, that something that makes you feel what the writer has felt about his city.
However, regardless of the reader's knowledge about Vancouver, what this book lacks -- being over-abundant in facts and information -- is the real "juice", the communication of emotions, that something that makes you feel what the writer has felt about his city.
December 4, 2015
This was a fun book that covered Vancouver from angles that were new to me, such as Vancouver's relationship with anarchist politics. Demers' unique take on the city as a local son and a comedian were engaging and very funny.
The only downsides of the book are that sometimes the jokes are too much in-jokes for people unfamiliar with the city and the political arguments become very wordy and dense, unlike the casual tone of much of the rest of the book. Nothing inherently wrong with that, but I thought it made the tone somewhat inconsistent.
4/5 Stars or Recommended.
The only downsides of the book are that sometimes the jokes are too much in-jokes for people unfamiliar with the city and the political arguments become very wordy and dense, unlike the casual tone of much of the rest of the book. Nothing inherently wrong with that, but I thought it made the tone somewhat inconsistent.
4/5 Stars or Recommended.
July 25, 2011
Enjoyed this book thoroughly. I learned a lot and really enjoyed Demers' perspective. Of course, his POV might not be for everybody, but it was a welcome change for me. Really helped add dimensions to issues that I've become aware of since moving to the city in the last year. Funny as hell too. Had me laughing out loud every few pages. Highly recommended as a more realistic companion book to Douglas Coupland's enjoyable-but-peachy City of Glass
December 11, 2015
Stories of Vancouver told on the cusp of the Olympics by a true local. I enjoyed Demers--he's a stand-up comic who writes funny and an English prof who writes well--though he comes at every part of Van from as far left as possible. I didn't mind the change of perspective...most of the time (I'm not exactly a conservative, but I've also never been to an anarchist rally). Overall, fun to learn a lot about my adopted city.
April 10, 2010
A must-read for anyone who wants to learn more, or who is in love with Vancouver. This is a great collection of essays about various aspects of Vancouver, enhanced by some wonderful photography. I was surprised by how much I agreed with, and how many people that the author mentioned that I actually know. All in all, a good read and a nice portrait of an interesting city.
February 24, 2011
This book is not only a great read, but due to the incredible photography and excellent layout, it makes a great coffee table book for friends to skim when they come by. It reads well as a cohesive collection of recent Vancouver history, but each chapter stands well on its own. I'd recommend this to any Vancouverite, born-and-raised or recent transplants.
February 23, 2010
A well written account of all the things that make up what Vancouver was/is/will be. My only complaint is that my edition was screwed up and half way through the book skipped from one chapter to repeating two others before moving on. Thus I feel I missed out on a fair bit. Otherwise a good read.
February 20, 2015
Great pictures.
I found the text often quite difficult to read due to long sentences and information that required a lot of background knowledge that I didn't have.
Still a good introduction to the city.
I found the text often quite difficult to read due to long sentences and information that required a lot of background knowledge that I didn't have.
Still a good introduction to the city.
November 22, 2012
He picks and chooses, but nothing is sacred and I got a sense of the flavour of my city, both what I already knew and some new angles. And he admits, "Drug money is the unknown variable in almost any economic equation that you can't otherwise reconcile in Vancouver."
November 22, 2012
An interesting and funny read about a place I live in and got to know more about.
August 20, 2019
This was good - quite funny. It made me nostalgic for the Vancouver of 2009, especially the photo of the Foundation (RIP). I'm curious to revisit the ten-year anniversary edition when it comes out.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews