Since this book first came out, I have been captivated by the octopus on the cover. What is an octopus doing on the cover of a book about an escaped slave? Well, let me tell you... It starts in Barbados in 1830, when the plantation master's brother comes to visit. "Titch" asks for the "use" … Continue reading Shadow Giller: Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
Category: Shadow Giller
Shadow Giller: Songs for the Cold of Heart by Eric DuPont, translated by Peter McCambridge
Songs for the Cold of Heart is a big book. It took me over a week to read it. But I loved every minute of it. What a ride. Louis "the Horse" Lamontagne from Riviére-du-Loup Quebec, and his daughter Madeleine, are at the heart of this story. However, there are so many other wonderful characters … Continue reading Shadow Giller: Songs for the Cold of Heart by Eric DuPont, translated by Peter McCambridge
Two From the Giller Longlist: “Split Tooth” and “Vi”
Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq What a physically beautiful book this is, with its white jacket and red edging. I hate to take it back to the library. There are snippets of beauty between the covers, too - but like the long bright summer days and the cold dark winters of the north, the moments … Continue reading Two From the Giller Longlist: “Split Tooth” and “Vi”
2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize Shortlist
The Giller Prize shortlist is out! The Shadow Jury will be reading and reviewing these books over the course of the next 6 weeks, and will be choosing a shadow winner a few days before the official Giller Prize announcement on November 19th. Patrick deWitt for his novel French Exit, published by House of Anansi Press My Thoughts: I'm looking forward to … Continue reading 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize Shortlist
Scotiabank Giller Prize 2018: Longlist
This is the 25th anniversary of the Scotiabank Giller Prize, a prize that was founded in 1994 by Jack Rabinovitch in honour of his wife, the late literary journalist Doris Giller. The prize awards $100,000 annually to the author of the best Canadian novel or short story collection published in English, and $10,000 to each of the … Continue reading Scotiabank Giller Prize 2018: Longlist
2017 Scotiabank Giller Prize Winner
Congratulations to Michael Redhill whose book Bellevue Square is the winner of the 2017 Giller Prize! As many of you may already know, the Shadow Giller also chose Bellevue Square as our winner. If you're interested in knowing how this came about, visit the home of the Shadow Giller, Kevin from Canada. For a replay … Continue reading 2017 Scotiabank Giller Prize Winner
Giller Shortlist: I Am a Truck by Michelle Winters
Trucks play a big part in this story of a rural Acadian couple who have been together for almost 20 years. The only thing Réjean seems to love more than his wife, Agathe, is his black Chevy Silverado. The Silverado was reported sitting next to the highway with the driver-side door open just eight hours … Continue reading Giller Shortlist: I Am a Truck by Michelle Winters
Giller Shortlist: Bellevue Square by Michael Redhill
What I love so much about readng the Giller books is that there are always surprises. I'm often reading books I hadn't heard of before, books from authors I've never read before, and books I know very little about. Add the fact that the books have been carefully chosen by a handful of smart and … Continue reading Giller Shortlist: Bellevue Square by Michael Redhill
Giller Shortlist: Minds of Winter by Ed O’Loughlin
The title for Minds of Winter comes from The Snow Man by Wallace Stevens, which I thought was fitting. Most of the characters in this book are drawn to the polar regions of the world. No sooner have they gotten back from an expedition and they're off again, despite the very real dangers. Many press … Continue reading Giller Shortlist: Minds of Winter by Ed O’Loughlin
Giller Longlist: Brother by David Chariandy
If you're looking for that one beautiful gem, David Chariandy's Brother just might be it. It's raw and honest, and the writing is as smooth as silk. Michael and his older brother Francis are close as they grow up in 1980s Scarborough, the sons of a single hard-working mother from Trinidad. Francis was my older … Continue reading Giller Longlist: Brother by David Chariandy
Consumed by Ink 