Hi everyone! This is a reminder that our next online book club meeting is this coming Thursday, April 20, at 2pm on Jitsi. We will be discussing More: A Novel by Austin Clarke, winner of the 2009 Toronto Book Award.
Austin Clarke also won the Order of Canada in 1998, when he was described as a "distinguished novelist and short story writer who has explored the immigrant experience with humour, compassion, happiness and sorrow. Through his prolific literary output he has recorded the changing face of the country, giving voice to the resilience, courage and loneliness often felt by people who come to Canada to start a new life. By his own example he has broadened the horizons for black writers, encouraging them to develop their creative talent." He was also the winner of a Giller Prize, a Commonwealth Prize, and a Trillium Award.
Clarke's novel, More, depicts a single mother struggling to raise her son in the Moss Park neighbourhood of Toronto. When he fails to return home one night, she descends into the "belly of the whale", worrying about the course of his life, and reconsidering her own life choices. It's a difficult story to read, but one I think essential for understanding the experience of many newcomers to the city. I thought Clarke did a masterful job of portraying a Barbadian-Canadian woman living on the fringes of the status quo--working at the kitchen in Trinity College, sitting in the back of St. James Cathedral, living within earshot of the bells of this church at which attend Toronto's wealthy and powerful; but also awoken at night by gunshots that ring out in her neighbourhood, and watching the homeless shuffle past her front gate to the Meighen Centre around the corner, while she is driven to steal from the local No Frills in order to feed her child. For those who like audiobooks, Robin Miles' powerful performance is equal to the writing, and brings Idora's character to life. You can find the audiobook version here:
And finally, for those who are interested, here is a discussion guide we have created, which includes some reviews, discussion questions, historical newspaper articles, photos and Austin Clarke's letters:
Austin Clarke also won the Order of Canada in 1998, when he was described as a "distinguished novelist and short story writer who has explored the immigrant experience with humour, compassion, happiness and sorrow. Through his prolific literary output he has recorded the changing face of the country, giving voice to the resilience, courage and loneliness often felt by people who come to Canada to start a new life. By his own example he has broadened the horizons for black writers, encouraging them to develop their creative talent." He was also the winner of a Giller Prize, a Commonwealth Prize, and a Trillium Award.
Clarke's novel, More, depicts a single mother struggling to raise her son in the Moss Park neighbourhood of Toronto. When he fails to return home one night, she descends into the "belly of the whale", worrying about the course of his life, and reconsidering her own life choices. It's a difficult story to read, but one I think essential for understanding the experience of many newcomers to the city. I thought Clarke did a masterful job of portraying a Barbadian-Canadian woman living on the fringes of the status quo--working at the kitchen in Trinity College, sitting in the back of St. James Cathedral, living within earshot of the bells of this church at which attend Toronto's wealthy and powerful; but also awoken at night by gunshots that ring out in her neighbourhood, and watching the homeless shuffle past her front gate to the Meighen Centre around the corner, while she is driven to steal from the local No Frills in order to feed her child. For those who like audiobooks, Robin Miles' powerful performance is equal to the writing, and brings Idora's character to life. You can find the audiobook version here:
https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/s...
If you'd still like to register, you can do so at the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toronto-i...
And finally, for those who are interested, here is a discussion guide we have created, which includes some reviews, discussion questions, historical newspaper articles, photos and Austin Clarke's letters:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a...
We hope to see you this Thursday!