The Most Important Literary Work of the Past 30 Years for Understanding Canadian History
By Richard Eriksson on March 18, 2005 - 2:47am
Recently Todd at GungHaggisFatChoy recommended that the Vancouver Public Library include Obasan by Joy Kogawa. Here are Todd's top 5 reasons (out of a list of 20!):
- "Obasan, a novel that I believe is the most important literary work of the past 30 years for understanding Canadian history. - Roy Miki - SFU University Professor and 2003 Governor General's Award Winner for Poetry.
- 11th most influential novel - named by Quill & Quire.
- Partially set in Vancouver.
- Vancouver born and raised author.
- Joy named Order of Canada in 1986.
Joy Kogawa's Obasan: for One Book One Vancouver program at VPL
I'm convinced, but Todd recommends writing them a letter to get the book nominated. I haven't written, much less sent, a letter in years, and there must be some other way to 'vote' for the book to be considered by the nominating committee at VPL. Next chance I get, I'll physically walk to the central branch of the library and see if I can write a comment card or somehow otherwise get my voice heard (or rather, documented on paper).
At any rate, I created a special report for One Book, One Vancouver for 2005 and will likely read whatever book they choose.
