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There’s a certain satisfaction in recognizing something extraordinary before most people, championing it and watching as everybody else catches on. But Stella Harvey and her fellow members of the Whistler Writers Group (a.k.a. the Vicious Circle) aren’t gloating — they’re glowing with excitement.
While it took the Giller Prize judges a few years to catch on to the talent of Canadian writer Joseph Boyden, the folks behind the annual Whistler Readers and Writers Festival and Literary Leanings events were early fans.
Boyden has been to Whistler before as part of the Writers Group’s events, and he was already booked for February 2009’s Literary Leanings event when word came last month that he won the $50,000 Giller Prize for his second novel, Through Black Spruce. Harvey said she’s gotten to know Boyden and she was “so excited” to hear he was named recipient of the Giller.
“Many people sent me emails after he won saying how exciting that he’s coming (back) to Whistler,” Harvey said.
Boyden was first noticed on the Canadian literary scene for his 2005 debut novel, Three Day Road, for which many fans said he deserved the Giller, Canada’s top prize for fiction. With his win on Nov. 11, Boyden has joined a prestigious group of Giller winners including Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro and Mordecai Richler.
Whistler is set to welcome Boyden back to town on Feb. 18, 2009 for the eighth annual Literary Leanings event, along with his wife, novelist Amanda Boyden, and fellow writer Steven Galloway. Harvey said having Boyden participate raises the profile of the event and indicates that Whistler is a literary community that draws high-calibre writers.
CBC Radio personality Shelagh Rogers has been slated to moderate a discussion between the three writers, who will also present readings from their latest works. Harvey said part of the event will explore the Boydens’ dynamic as a married couple who are both writers.
“I’m interested to hear how they work together,” she said.
The event is planned to take place in the theatre at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and tickets are available now through the Vicious Circle website (www.theviciouscircle.ca).
With a healthy buzz about the event already started, all that’s left to do is read the participating writers’ books before February. The Writers Group is encouraging people to make a New Year’s resolution to read more, and Armchair Books is selling bundles of the latest by Boyden, Amanda Boyden and Galloway books just in time for Christmas.
The bookstore is also sponsoring a draw for a free ticket to Literary Leanings.
Harvey said Boyden’s Through Black Spruce is about life on a First Nations reserve, contrasted with the modeling scene in New York. Amanda Boyden’s novel, Babylon Rolling, tells the story of one year on Orchid Street in New Orleans and explores racism in America. Galloway’s The Cellist of Sarajevo extrapolates on a true story to provide three different viewpoints.
“All three books take you away to something else and give you a glimpse into another experience, which I think all books should do,” Harvey said.
