Imagining British Columbia: Land, Memory, and Place

by Daniel Francis (Editor)

The twenty contemporary writers featured in this anthology have one thing in common: a connection to British Columbia, to a specific time, landscape, or community in BC. Their essays and memoirs have been inspired by, or are in some way affected by, the particular sense of place that sets that left-hand corner of the country apart from other provinces. Some are humorous; others are poignant. Whether describing a family history in Kitsilano, the difficulties fitting in as an immigrant, or a close encounter with a grizzly bear, these stories communicate a sense of belonging to, or a trying to find, a sense of place. Some of Canada's best-known writers, all members of the Federation of BC Writers, are featured in this anthology, including Pauline Holdstock, Harold Rhenisch, George Fetherling, Howie White, Katherine Gordon, and, M.A.C. Farrant. The book features an introduction by editor Daniel Francis, a historian and author of twenty books.

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2008

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this book up at the Shuswap Lake International Writers' Festival in May, 2008. I have read the stories read that were read aloud,in part, by the authors at the Festival: Luanne Armstrong, Jan Drabek, Deanna Kawatski, Dawn Service.

There are 20 authors featured in this book. A few others are Harold Rhenisch, Margaret Thompson, Katherine Gordon...

Buy it! It's worth it!

[Warren Wulff · Rating 3 out of 5]

All non-fiction stories herein are well written, some exceptionally so. However, many stories, while ostensibly taking place in BC, were so personal as to ironically become universal in that they could have occurred anywhere, so removed they were from BC as a place while describing family and personal situations, often regarding ones interior life. Standouts like Pauline Holdstock’s story Ship of Fools does do an excellent job of putting BC as place front and centre while still telling a personal (and hilarious) story of her and her mom taking an Alaskan cruise, and is worth the price of admission. In fact, the final five stories reach this balance of personal and place and help redeem the book overall.

[Katrina Sark · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Now, as an adult, Gabriola Island has chosen me. There is no rhyme or reason to the connection I have to this place. I am an immigrant. I was not born here. I did not grow up here. I have no ancestors that lived here." (Katherine Gordon, "Landed Immigrant")

[Rob Hermanowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of short, non-fiction stories written about British Columbia, one of my favorite places in the world. It is not a travel guide, but really catures the beauty and spirit of this incredible land. Highly recommended for anyone with wanderlust!