The next book in my A-Z CanLit Project is Baltimore’s Mansion by Wayne Johnston. A couple of years ago I read and enjoyed both The Colony of Unrequited Dreams and The Custodian of Paradise, and have been wanting to read more since. Baltimore’s Mansion is Johnston’s memoir about growing up in Newfoundland.
Wayne Johnston was born in 1958 and grew up in Goulds, Newfoundland. If you want to learn a little more about him, you can visit his website. His books include:
The Story of Bobby O’Malley (1985) – Winner of the WH Smith/Books in Canada First Novel Award. Also, this book comes highly recommended by a friend, and I really do plan on reading it soon.
The Divine Ryans (1990) – Adapted to the silver screen with the screenplay written by the author.
Human Amusements (1994)
The Colony of Unrequited Dreams (1998) – Was identified by the Globe and Mail newspaper as one of the 100 most important Canadian books ever produced. Shortlisted for the Giller prize. This is one I have read and can definitely recommend it!
Baltimore’s Mansion (1999) – Winner of the Charles Taylor Prize, and being read by me right now.
The Navigator of New York (2002) – Shortlisted for the Giller Prize. I own this one, and wonder why I haven’t read it yet. Will hopefully get to it soon.
The Custodian of Paradise (2006) – Longlisted for the Giller Prize. This is the other one that I read, and also recommend. I would suggest reading Colony first, though. They have overlapping characters.
A World Elsewhere (2011) – Longlisted for the Giller Prize. I had actually never heard of this one.
The Son of A Certain Woman (2013) – His most recent novel, and longlisted for the Giller Prize.
I see a definite pattern of award-winning writing here, so if you have never picked up one of his books, maybe you should! If you have read any already, which are your favourites?
Consumed by Ink 
Thanks for the link to the website, I’d never heard of this author but his books sound great!
His website is good too, I thought! I love browsing and comparing writer’s websites. And, yes, I like his writing, and will hopefully eventually read most of his books.
Thanks for putting Wayne Johnston on my radar. I will definitely read some of his books.
If you read any, let us know what you think!
I’ll be interested to hear how you like it!
I will let everyone know!
Your A-Z project is an interesting way to get to know new writers.
That was one of the things I was aiming for. Although, several times I have chosen one I already have read and know that I like. I see it as a good chance to finally get to read another by the same author. I also hope to make others aware of them, as well as to just read more CanLit in general.
Well he`s prolific, isn`t he?
I’ve heard of a few of these books, but didn’t realize they were by the same author. It’s such a plain name, Wayne Johston. That’s my excuse, anyway.
Son of a Certain Woman sounds very Irving-ish to me (that’s a good thing.)
You’re right, it does. And, I’m curious about it, because some people seem to be pretty turned off by it compared to some of his other books. Just makes me want to read it more, so I can have an opinion.
I’ve have A Colony of Unrequited Dreams on my TBR list for awhile. Otherwise, sad to say I haven’t read any of Wayne Johnston’s books. Can’t wait to read your review for Baltimore’s Mansion!
A Colony of Unrequited Dreams is the first one I read, and I think the most well known of his books. I think it’s a good one to start with. It’s a bit long, though, so it’s harder to fit in. I didn’t realize I would be such an expert on Joey Smallwood after reading it!