Carpenter Launches Literary History of Saskatchewan Vol.1

Author and professor emeritus (English) David Carpenter recently released The Literary History of Saskatchewan, Volume 1 (published by Coteau Books) on Friday, January 25 at the Writing North 3 Conference.

Six years in the making, this volume includes an introductory essay by Carpenter, who was editor for the project, as well as contributions by several faculty members from the College of Arts & Science.

“Perhaps like Newfoundland, Saskatchewan has a small population, a long history of hard times, and an inordinate number of major writers to chronicle and celebrate its unique history and terrain,” Carpenter said.

“The time is ripe to examine the work of writers such as Guy Vanderhaeghe, Sinclair Ross, Dianne Warren, Sylvia Legris, Tim Lilburn, Trevor Herriot, W.O. Mitchell, Sharon Butala and Lorna Crozier, artists whose imaginations were nurtured by their Saskatchewan experiences. And lest we forget, it is also time to get reacquainted with our earliest writers, the ones whose shoulders our contemporary writers stand on. Names too often forgotten, like Kelsey, Saukamappee, Ahenakew, Belaney, Karras, Tekahionwake, Rashley, McCourt need to be rescued from obscurity.”

The Literary History of Saskatchewan, Volume 1 opens with essays chronicling the early beginnings of a literary culture in the territory that would become Saskatchewan. Kristina (Fagan) Bidwell (associate professor of English and Assistant Dean, College of Arts & Science Aboriginal Affairs) examines Cree literature as it emerges from oral tradition into print. Wendy Roy (English) looks at stories arising from the invasive cultures of trade and settlement in the territorial era.

The history moves forward into the 20th century with essays by Dwayne Brenna’s (Drama) historical overview of playwriting for professional theatre; Hilary Clark (English) on the poetry of Anne Szumigalski; and Susan Gingell (English, assisted by graduate students Lisa Johnson and Cristen Polley), tracing the accomplishments of the legendary group of poets known as the Moose Jaw Movement.

The book concludes on an upbeat note, demonstrating that appreciation for Saskatchewan’s hospitable literary climate is on the rise. English alum Martin Winquist (BA’07, MA’09) interviews eminent authors such as Yann Martel and Sandra Birdsell, who now call the province home.

David Carpenter was a professor in the Department of English from 1975 to 1997. He left to devote more time to his vocation—writing stories, poems, essays and novels. His two latest books are Welcome to Canada (novellas, 2010) and A Hunter's Confession (2011).

Carpenter will give a public talk about the book on Wednesday, January 23 at 7:30 PM at Grace Westminster Church in Saskatoon as part of the Department of English Literature Matters series.