Presentation Summaries

Jane Urquhart: One of the best, but underrated, Canadian authors

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By John Carter in 2010,
Wikimedia Commons, CC by 2.5

I’m sure I wasn’t alone in adding Jane Urquhart to my reading list, after attending Sandra’s presentation to CWLC on March 20th!

Using fascinating images to illustrate her talk, Sandra shared her admiration of the author’s mastery of sense of place and characterizations. Sandra revealed common themes interwoven through Jane Urquhart’s body of work.

 

I was left with the strong impression that Jane Urquhart’s works help readers “live” history, in the way only good historical fiction can. It will help us better preserve our past and understand who we were and who we are. I can hardly wait to read one of her novels this Fall!

Please read Sandra’s Presentation Summary for a lot more!

 

Bruce Hunter: CPL’s 2017 Author in Residence

/ Janet Halls / Leave a comment

 

Photo of Bruce Hunter

From website: brucehunter.ca

On November 21, 2017, we were so lucky to welcome the Calgary Public Library’s Author in Residence, Bruce Hunter, in his last week of tenure!

Rosemary Griebel, Director of Reading Services of the CPL introduced us to this award-winning writer of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, essays and interviews. The Library is celebrating the 30th year of this outstanding program, and as Author in Residence for the last three months, Bruce has been offering public programs and readings. He also mentors aspiring writers, providing advice and feedback on their manuscripts. Our community has benefitted greatly: Bruce Hunter is renowned in Canada for his support of emerging and established authors.

Especially for those who were not with us – and even for those who were — please click here for an interview which highlights his strength of character.

Interview with Bruce Hunter

There is nothing like seeing Bruce Hunter in person, to appreciate the spirit of this inspiring author.

And click below, to find out what Bruce shared on November 21st – at least as captured by hand-written notes.

Bruce Hunter Presentation Summary

 

Haruki Marakami: Realistic Fantasist?

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Embed from Getty Images

Halloween must have gotten in my way (ahem… excuses, excuses)!

In any event, it is high time I add Shawna’s Presentation Summary of an author perfect to be introduced on Halloween — or anytime: Haruki Marakami.

Mr. Marakami is a contemporary Japanese author of surreal fiction. Shawna described a classic Murakami story: A Japanese “everyman”, often single, who doesn’t quite fit into society, who will encounter a fantastic situation, such as a secret underground laboratory, a man possessed by a malevolent sheep, a man who can talk to cats. The protagonist never doubts the existence of the fantastic things but is skeptical about the real world.

Intrigued? We were!

Click here for more on this fascinating author!

Our secret

/ Janet Halls / 2 Comments

As I am in the throes of finishing my presentation for this Tuesday, I am truly experiencing our “Book Club with a Difference!” That is, I have 8 books which have now been on my kitchen table for weeks, along with the computer. These books are marked up with stickies (Library books) or marked excessively with a yellow highlighter (my collection). I’m lucky it’s only 8:  Flora recently presented Orson Scott Card with a body of work of over 70 books. She had personally read over 40 and brought them to her presentation! [Rest assured: 4 to 5 books suffice for a presentation to the Club.] In spite of the hours spent reading, researching, re-reading and composing my talk, I know I have gained hugely by the effort. My knowledge of an author, normally based on what the cover states, is now in-depth. I have found out fascinating things about Italy in modern times. I have looked at these books to try to understand the craft of writing. Had I not been presenting this author, I would have still loved reading the books, but now the experience is in technicolor, not in black & white.

Click here for Janet’s Presentation Summary

Rich presentations are what this Club is all about, and both presenters and audience are the winners. You will gain a broader reading list, guaranteed!

The 2018-19 season beginning October will open up literature’s treasure trove of “Humour, Irony, and Satire”. Mary has collected a surprising list of the most diverse authors imaginable, for us all, and particularly as a guide to those to be presenting. How lucky you will be to pick “your own” author (from Mary’s list or your own choice) and share your insights with those of us who are lucky enough to be in the audience!  And as for stage fright? Of course, we all have it! But a kinder more receptive audience one cannot find. In other words, please sign up for next season’s slate, especially if you haven’t presented within the last two years!

2018_humor_irony_satire_reading_list WEB

 

Amy Tan: A life as fascinating as any of her novels

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Amy Tan Portrait 2 by David Sifry [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Wilda Dow’s 3 daughters were very special guests for her presentation on Amy Tan.

Although Amy Tan’s main characters are Chinese and Chinese-American women, Wilda emphasized that the author does not write to inform readers of cultural differences. Rather, Tan captures the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, especially when they are raised in different cultures.

Wilda described Amy Tan’s own childhood in California, growing up primarily with a Chinese mother who was superstitious, eccentric and fiery, leading to violent clashes.  This tumultuous life with her mother exerted an enormous influence on her books.

A new book is being published by Amy Tan and will be on shelves soon!

Enjoy reading Wilda’s presentation summary, here.

 

 

William Gibson: Reluctant Oracle of Technology and Creator of Cyberpunk

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Photo by Frederic Poirot (Fred Armitage at Flickr) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

On November 7, Robin brought us into the realms of new Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction and Cyberpunk with her favorite author, William Gibson. She explained how this “Oracle of tech” changed science fiction “in a good way”. His books:

  • Present strong female characters
  • Read like mystery thrillers
  • Imagined virtual reality, cyberspace, artificial intelligence, hackers and more. His ideas put shape to their development a decade or more later.
  • Reveal the mixed blessings of how technology changes culture
  • Warn of loss/isolation when people prefer living in virtual worlds
  • Include art and artists

William Gibson’s books have, in fact, greatly influenced our culture.

Learn more about William Gibson here.

Stephan G. Stephansson: Icelandic-Albertan-Canadian Poet

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 Without speaking Icelandic, Moorea clearly demonstrated the art of the poet, Stephan G. Stephansson. She compared an Icelandic stanza with its English translation. Alliteration, formalized rhyme schemes, invented words, double and triple entendre are just a few of the challenges a translator might encounter. Hence, many of this unique, esoteric poet’s works remain in Iceland, without translations. However, the majority of his poetry was published after he settled his family in Markerville, Alberta, where he had moved in 1889. His poems often reflect our Alberta landscape and a pioneer’s experience.

Thanks to a project introduced by Stephansson’s grandson, Stephan V. Benediktson, Moorea started researching this Icelandic-Canadian poet. Her research has been extensive, and her deep appreciation for the poetry of Stephan G. Stephansson was shared with all in attendance on October 17.

Link here for Moorea’s Summary which includes a Stephansson poem that contemplates our Alberta landscape. Not to worry: It’s an English translation!

If you can’t make it to Iceland to see this magnificent tribute, Markerville is nearby.

Janet Halls

Carol Shields gave us “masterful depictions of ordinary life” (The Guardian)

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Book Cover showing Carol Shields

Book Cover: Published 2016 by Random House Canada

Lillian Tickles is an avid reader — one of the many in the Club to ask what they’ve been reading and make sure you add their recommendations to your growing reading list! She shared her favorite author this October 10th, and Janet Samber caught some highlights, below.

Carol Shields, born in Chicago in 1935, is a Canadian by choice. At the University of Exeter, she met and married Canadian Donald Shields and they lived mostly in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Victoria. Home life and raising five children was of prime importance to her but she noted that “writing keeps me stable”. She first published poetry but found poetry-to-prose an easy transition.  Her first novel, Small Ceremonies, was written during a sabbatical year in France. Swann, Lillian’s favorite, is a mystery which doesn’t conform to regular novel form and structure. Stone Diaries is Shield’s best-known novel, with its strong female character. Some critics feel that Shield’s writing is too domestic, too nice, but Lillian’s view is that is exactly Carol Shield’s strength.

For more insights, read Lillian’s  Presentation Summary of Carol Shields

Ross King, master of creative non-fiction

/ Janet Halls / Leave a comment
Photo of Ross King

Image: rosskingbooks.com

Doloris’ knowledge of Ross King and of his work revealed to us this author’s skill in describing world-famous artists in very human terms.  His thorough research uncovered engrossing details from their lives. He shares their struggles, challenges, and frustrations.  His readers come to know artists’ grit, courage, and perseverance.  Ross King, by portraying the reality of the human condition, offers insight into how an artist’s current celebrity status does not guarantee that the journey has been one of smooth sailing.

Denise Doz

 See Doloris’ Presentation Summary here.