Vimy

by Vern Thiessen

Governor General’s Literary Award–winner Vern Thiessen takes his characters, drawn from a spectrum of Canada’s regions and peoples, and shows how the battle has redefined them. Coming from different perspectives through the eyes of five people, we perceive why we fight and what we fight for. Vimy is an impressive elegy on the healing power of memory.

Genres: Plays, Canadian Literature, Canada, Drama

104 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jazmin Estevez Carlucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tumultuous play about war's aftereffects and Canada's international entrance at Vimy, Loved the language collision, some french, native American and some Gaelic I think... Though sometimes confusing to follow, because of the flashbacks and the sudden delusions, it's a little Canadian treasure, that must be breathtaking to watch, if correctly staged.

[Brentman99 · Rating 2 out of 5]

My book is a Nov 2017 second printing with 168 pages.

I've never been one to read plays, but having done some research on Vimy, I thought it may be interesting. Well, all I can say is that the play effect was lost on me.

There were some interesting moments in the dialogue. And I really liked how there was a person from each of the four Canadian Divisions. Also, there was lots of diversity in the characters as they came from several different ethnic backgrounds that were blended well into the story.

Overall, the book was something out of the ordinary for me. It was okay, but not something that I would re-read, which to me is a big factor in determining if I enjoyed a book.

[Jen Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this would be a very good play to see, but just to read it was really confusing. With all the timeline changes, and perspective changes I had a hard time following it, especially closer to the end.

[Bia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this play for an English class. Great exploration of the clash of Canadian identities and the question on “what makes one Canadian?” through the perspectives of soldiers and a nurse whose paths intertwine.

[Frank N'Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because I was playing Claude in it.
The play is wonderful, and sad, and you might need to read it more than once to really get it. I definitely recommend it.

[Joti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked the countdown to Vimy and piecing together all the men's stories by returning to the past - I'd like to see this performed actually

[Evonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Keep track of the list of characters, though! For the first while they all blend together - obviously they wouldn't on stage - the props and visuals would cue you in more quickly. Plays are difficult to read unless you're visualizing a lot. If I was teaching this I'd have the kids make visual cues for each character to hold or keep on their desks as they read it out loud, just so everyone else could figure out what's going on.

The play itself is clever - going back and forth from home to Vimy Ridge - so you have to be away of where you are, if what you're reading is war-action, hospital-banter, or remembering-home. End dramatically and gets you in the feels!