An expanded introduction to some of the writers featured in Arrival: The Story of CanLit houseofanansi.... Rec. Innis Town Hall, University of Toronto, Sep. 25, 2017
You have educated me and opened my eyes about literature that I thought I knew. What an awakening! Thank you so very much. I'm so happy that I found you.❣😊👏
I've recently discovered, stumbled upon, been enlightened by, or however one wishes to describe, what I consider a reawaking of my literary passion, by you Mr. Mount. After viewing one lecture, Vladimir Nabokov's, I have undergone a "literary event", that's been unequalled to date. As I have stated, to "reawaken" what was already the main passion in my life, and at times, what I have taken to be; "My reasons for existence", and to renew it, along with intensely driving it into my very being, is by no means a small achievement. I have decided to look at this as my true natural state, dedicating my life as well all total energies to developing myself as a writer. Helping me find new "literary ground" to explore and as well master is such a grand gift. I look forward to your next lecture, and I would love to see you cover Romanticism, as well the French Revolution and the fantastic writings and writers that were born of these epic times in History.
Thanks, James! All my lectures here were written for and filmed in classes of various kinds, so they're necessarily only about books I teach or write about. To film a lecture on Romanticism, I'd have to be assigned a class on Romanticism, unfortunately pretty unlikely. But I'll keep it in mind.
Re: the notion that she is 'unknown' in Canada. I have no doubt that she is lesser known among the general reading public than, for example, Atwood and Munro. The fact is that the writers we hear most about in Canada are the writers that are being promoted in Canada by Canadian interests - more specifically, by central Canadian (i.e., Toronto and Montreal) interests. It just stands to reason that a writer who is not doing all the Canadian radio shows and literary events, whose books are not being pushed on all the right people, is liable to be a 'lesser known' in Canada.
A wonderful presentation
Thank you for this. There's a dearth of materials on Mavis Gallant and her writing.
There are many wandering down the road to now.
I learned much from your lecture, even as a Gallant fanatic, but I am surprised that you do not mention the unparalleled perfection of her prose.
You have educated me and opened my eyes about literature that I thought I knew. What an awakening! Thank you so very much. I'm so happy that I found you.❣😊👏
I enjoyed this and am thankful for your honesty of critique. That only adds generosity to the love of her writing.
Wonderful talk Prof Mount, thanks for posting that.
Looks like I'll have to add "The Ice Wagon Going Down the Street" to my summer reading list. :-)
At least it's a short story... :)
Read "Irina" too, in some ways lovelier.
"She used a story not to tell a story, but to understand people". Wonderful lecture.
I've recently discovered, stumbled upon, been enlightened by, or however one wishes to describe, what I consider a reawaking of my literary passion, by you Mr. Mount. After viewing one lecture, Vladimir Nabokov's, I have undergone a "literary event", that's been unequalled to date. As I have stated, to "reawaken" what was already the main passion in my life, and at times, what I have taken to be; "My reasons for existence", and to renew it, along with intensely driving it into my very being, is by no means a small achievement. I have decided to look at this as my true natural state, dedicating my life as well all total energies to developing myself as a writer. Helping me find new "literary ground" to explore and as well master is such a grand gift. I look forward to your next lecture, and I would love to see you cover Romanticism, as well the French Revolution and the fantastic writings and writers that were born of these epic times in History.
Thanks, James! All my lectures here were written for and filmed in classes of various kinds, so they're necessarily only about books I teach or write about. To film a lecture on Romanticism, I'd have to be assigned a class on Romanticism, unfortunately pretty unlikely. But I'll keep it in mind.
Re: the notion that she is 'unknown' in Canada. I have no doubt that she is lesser known among the general reading public than, for example, Atwood and Munro. The fact is that the writers we hear most about in Canada are the writers that are being promoted in Canada by Canadian interests - more specifically, by central Canadian (i.e., Toronto and Montreal) interests. It just stands to reason that a writer who is not doing all the Canadian radio shows and literary events, whose books are not being pushed on all the right people, is liable to be a 'lesser known' in Canada.
Wonderful talk, professor! And thank you.