THE SHORT STORY WARS

“The best art is political and you ought to make it unquestionably political and irrevocably beautiful at the same time” Toni Morrison

As I type this quote I can almost hear Canada’s John Metcalf screaming, “no, no, no.”

Metcalf, prolific writer, former publisher, member of the Order of Canada, all round curmudgeon and a tireless worker in the garden of Can Lit. dislikes stories that have a purpose, especially a nationalistic purpose. He sneers at, “plot stories.” He labels Margaret Atwood, Morley Callahan, Rohinton Mistry and Michael Ondaadje as second rate. His 2003 memoir, An Aesthetic Underground, a Literary Memoir sits on the remainder table at the local Chapters for 2 bucks, a humiliating spot for a very interesting and snappy book.

Last October , Metcalf publically dissed The Penguin Book of Canadian Short Stories slanging its editor, Jane Urquhurt. He wrote a sneering piece for the Globe and M and so the first shot was fired in the short-lived “Story Wars.”

I bought The Penguin Book of Short Stories for four reasons. First: I wanted to check out the fuss – was this a set of inferior offerings as Metcalf and company claimed? Second: I like short stories old and new and I was sure there would be a lot of new stuff in such a fat book. Three: Jane Urquhart was born in Longlac (brought up in Toronto but still!) Four: I think Urquhart novels are terrific. I remember being completely enthralled by Away and I still think it is her best.

Did I waste my money? Absolutely not. This is a premier collection. I am about half way along flinging myself into wonderful story after wonderful story. Many old friends are present: Carol Shields, Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood, Joseph Boyden, Alistair MacLeod. Here are three stories I just loved: And the Children shall Rise by Caroline Adderson, (creepy), Jesus Christ, Murdeena by Lynn Coady (funny) and Ring Around October by Adrienne Poy ( sad).

Most collections of short stories are uneven - some you like and others - naaa. I don't think I have read such an even collection for a long time, not since the days of the New Press Anthologies. I pulled out Best Canadian Fiction #1 from 1984 and guess what? The editors were Rooke and John Metcalf!.

To sum up: thanks Jane for a great collection of stories.

A Reading List

Here is an interesting book list sent in by an Ottawa book club member. Participants have to chose 10 books from the list of their 2009- 2010 meetings.

1. The Road Home by Rose Tremain

2. Exit Lines by Joan Barfoot

3. Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill

4. Guernsey Island Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

5. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

6. The Girls by Lori Lansens

7. Run by Ann Patchett

8. Three Cups of Tea by Carol Greg Mortenson

9. The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

10. Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden

11. Outcast by Sadie Jones

12. Dreams from my Father by Barack Obama

13. Cellist of Sarajevo by Stephen Galloway

14. White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

15. Good to a Fault by Marina Endicott

18. Loving Frank (Frank Lloyd Wright biography)–Nancy Horan

19. The Gift of Wings (Lucy Maude Montgomery biography) – Mary Henley Rubio

Charlie Strikes Again

A new book by Thunder Bay's Charles Wilkins will soon be launched following on the heels of the popular Land of Long Fingernails: A Grave Digger in the Age of Aquarius which came out last year.

High on the Big Stone Heart, published by Dundern Press, is a collection of essays, magazine pieces and various writings. The Toronto launch, a wine and cheese, will take place at 3 Church St., April 28 from 5:30 - 7.

Watch here for the Thunder Bay date which will be at the Finnish Book Store.

Leonard Cohen: Live In London

Love Poetry? Love music? Love Leonard? So, the best thing for you is a copy of L. Cohen’s DVD, “Live in London” so you can see a great concert and listen to the familiar words of one of Canada’s greatest poets. Leonard is 73 years old, with a voice like the bottom of a mine shaft and a smile like a shy sun.