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Murder: And Other Essays
A thrilling, revelatory collection from one of the most provocative and original literary voices in Canada today.
David Adams Richards is one of Canada's greatest writers, his place in the pantheon ensured by seventeen novels of consistent power and vision. He is also the author of four marvelous non-fiction ruminations on religious faith, hockey, hunting and fishing and their roles in his and the nation's identities. His loyal readers may feel they know him well. But they also know that this is a writer who never fails to surprise. This new collection of essays--his first in a quarter-century--is rich with revelations and insights, deepening our appreciation for this major talent and offering a provoking thought on every page.
Murder is one of David's great subjects. In his novels, in the Russian classics he loves and in his life, murder has been a shaping force. The title of this volume refers to a suite of essays on the subject: a hitchhiker with whom David strikes up an unnerving philosophical debate; the killers of the Miramichi and their victims; Caligula; the villains of Russian literature; and, forever in David's mind as he examines this grim topic, the self-deception involved in the allure of evil.
But in this wide-ranging collection there is much to delight in too: married love; family; travel; the beauty of the natural world; even Wayne Gretzky is invited to the party. David's principled outlook and spirituality inform his thinking thoroughout. And he draws many of his favourite writers into the discussion--from Tolstoy to Dostoevsky, Mary Shelley to Alden Nowlan--revelling in their work, as we do in David's, as sources of ideas, inspiration and sheer literary pleasure. As a considerable bonus, the book also contains at its midpoint a literary debut: a slim but substantial collection of David's poetry.
David Adams Richards is one of Canada's greatest writers, his place in the pantheon ensured by seventeen novels of consistent power and vision. He is also the author of four marvelous non-fiction ruminations on religious faith, hockey, hunting and fishing and their roles in his and the nation's identities. His loyal readers may feel they know him well. But they also know that this is a writer who never fails to surprise. This new collection of essays--his first in a quarter-century--is rich with revelations and insights, deepening our appreciation for this major talent and offering a provoking thought on every page.
Murder is one of David's great subjects. In his novels, in the Russian classics he loves and in his life, murder has been a shaping force. The title of this volume refers to a suite of essays on the subject: a hitchhiker with whom David strikes up an unnerving philosophical debate; the killers of the Miramichi and their victims; Caligula; the villains of Russian literature; and, forever in David's mind as he examines this grim topic, the self-deception involved in the allure of evil.
But in this wide-ranging collection there is much to delight in too: married love; family; travel; the beauty of the natural world; even Wayne Gretzky is invited to the party. David's principled outlook and spirituality inform his thinking thoroughout. And he draws many of his favourite writers into the discussion--from Tolstoy to Dostoevsky, Mary Shelley to Alden Nowlan--revelling in their work, as we do in David's, as sources of ideas, inspiration and sheer literary pleasure. As a considerable bonus, the book also contains at its midpoint a literary debut: a slim but substantial collection of David's poetry.
- GenresCanada
320 pages, Hardcover
Published October 22, 2019
4 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
David Adams Richards
46 books204 followersDavid Adams Richards (born 17 October 1950) is a Canadian novelist, essayist, screenwriter and poet.
Born in Newcastle, New Brunswick, Richards left St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick, one course shy of completing a B.A. Richards has been a writer-in-residence at various universities and colleges across Canada, including the University of New Brunswick.
Richards has received numerous awards including 2 Gemini Awards for scriptwriting for Small Gifts and "For Those Who Hunt The Wounded Down", the Alden Nowlan Award for Excellence in the Arts, and the Canadian Authors Association Award for his novel Evening Snow Will Bring Such Peace. Richards is one of only three writers to have won in both the fiction and non-fiction categories of the Governor General's Award. He won the 1988 fiction award for Nights Below Station Street and the 1998 non-fiction award for Lines on the Water: A Fisherman's Life on the Miramichi. He was also a co-winner of the 2000 Giller Prize for Mercy Among the Children.
In 1971, he married the former Peggy MacIntyre. They have two sons, John Thomas and Anton Richards, and currently reside in Toronto.
John Thomas was born in 1989 in Saint John, New Brunswick.
The Writers' Federation of New Brunswick administers an annual David Adams Richards Award for Fiction.
Richards' papers are currently housed at the University of New Brunswick.
Born in Newcastle, New Brunswick, Richards left St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick, one course shy of completing a B.A. Richards has been a writer-in-residence at various universities and colleges across Canada, including the University of New Brunswick.
Richards has received numerous awards including 2 Gemini Awards for scriptwriting for Small Gifts and "For Those Who Hunt The Wounded Down", the Alden Nowlan Award for Excellence in the Arts, and the Canadian Authors Association Award for his novel Evening Snow Will Bring Such Peace. Richards is one of only three writers to have won in both the fiction and non-fiction categories of the Governor General's Award. He won the 1988 fiction award for Nights Below Station Street and the 1998 non-fiction award for Lines on the Water: A Fisherman's Life on the Miramichi. He was also a co-winner of the 2000 Giller Prize for Mercy Among the Children.
In 1971, he married the former Peggy MacIntyre. They have two sons, John Thomas and Anton Richards, and currently reside in Toronto.
John Thomas was born in 1989 in Saint John, New Brunswick.
The Writers' Federation of New Brunswick administers an annual David Adams Richards Award for Fiction.
Richards' papers are currently housed at the University of New Brunswick.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 26, 2019
David Adams Richards has written some of my favorite novels. I have the highest praise for Mercy Among the Children, Crimes Against My Brother and Principles to Live By, among others. He has received numerous literary awards and honors, both for books in the fiction and non-fiction categories. He is a member of the Canadian Senate. His novels frequently reflect life amongst unfortunate and downtrodden characters living in the Miramichi region of New Brunswick. His powerful novels go deep into the hearts and minds of his characters, making them seem authentic, compelling and unforgettable.
This book contains a variety of essays on various diverse topics. They give information about the author’s background and many thought-provoking insights into reflections on an assortment of concerns and subjects. He discusses his thoughts on the writing process, inspiration, authors and poets he has admired. He contemplates the banality and allure of evil, murder, the deadly tragedies that occur at sea. Spiritually, fatherhood, family, the beauty of nature, travel, hockey, the demise of the independent movie theatres and hockey are considered, to name a few subjects. As an added bonus a selection of his poetry has been included.
Although I did enjoy the insights into the author’s brilliant mind and his ideas, I much prefer his novels. I do wish and hope for another in the future.
This book contains a variety of essays on various diverse topics. They give information about the author’s background and many thought-provoking insights into reflections on an assortment of concerns and subjects. He discusses his thoughts on the writing process, inspiration, authors and poets he has admired. He contemplates the banality and allure of evil, murder, the deadly tragedies that occur at sea. Spiritually, fatherhood, family, the beauty of nature, travel, hockey, the demise of the independent movie theatres and hockey are considered, to name a few subjects. As an added bonus a selection of his poetry has been included.
Although I did enjoy the insights into the author’s brilliant mind and his ideas, I much prefer his novels. I do wish and hope for another in the future.
February 19, 2020
David Adams Richards writes about the Miramichi like no other writer. His home town is in bedded in all his novels, poems and essays. I loved this new book of essays - made me feel at home again.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews