Carpenter Launches Literary History of Saskatchewan Vols. 1 and 2

Author and professor emeritus (English) David Carpenter released the second volume of The Literary History of Saskatchewan (published by Coteau Books) on Friday, 24 January 2014, at the Writing North 4 Conference.

Seven years in the making, this volume presents another batch of erudite and entertaining essays on a variety of topics covering Saskatchewan’s literary development, as well as tributes to some of the major contributors to that history, and a pictorial glimpse into the past. Volume 1, published in 2013, included an introductory essay by Carpenter, who was editor for the project.
“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 at the launch of Volume 1.

“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 alumnus and current graduate student Martin Winquist interviews eminent authors such as Yann Martel and Sandra Birdsell, who now call the province home.

Volume 2 moves to the time when writers stopped using typewriters, and even moved beyond the Kaypro computer box for their compositions. The Saskatchewan School of the Arts was shut down, ending the Fort San writing experience. But the Sage Hill Writing Experience quickly rose to replace it. Saskatchewan literary presses really found their feet and published important and lasting books. A wave of new writers joined the founders of the province’s literary tradition. Responding to this growth in the community, the Saskatchewan Book Awards,and the Saskatchewan Festival of Words in Moose Jaw came into being. The Saskatchewan writing community stormed out of the 20th Century in a frenzy of creativity and accomplishment.

Essay contributors to Volume 2 include Dave Margoshes, Jeanette Lynes, Aritha Van Herk, Alison Calder and seven more. The eleven essays include such topics as “To House or House Not: The New Saskatchewan Women Poets”, “Contemporary Nature Writing in Saskatchewan”, “Fort San/Sage Hill” and “Brave and Foolish Nonconformists." In addition, literary tributes are offered for: Caroline Heath, Pat Krause, Martha Blum and Max Braithwaite.

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).