The Limits of Civil Liberties by Stan Persky I first met the B.C. Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) in classically romantic circumstances –- well, “classically romantic” from the perspective of a student radical in his mid-20s living through a politically tumultuous decade. It was March 1968. I was in jail at the... [Read more...]
The Poet and the Sound of His Own Voice by Brian Fawcett Try to parse the following prose passage: “Then again, this sort of thinking that once occupied a few momentarily idle minds, say, back in the 50s or 60s, is currently only the purview, only the stuff of wispy, glassy-eyed seminarians on a cookie drive for the church.... [Read more...]
Letter from Berlin: Gunter Grass’s Poem by Stan Persky Sometimes poetry makes something happen, pace W.H. Auden’s famous dictum to the contrary that “poetry makes nothing happen.” Gunter Grass, 84, Nobel Laureate for literature, Germany’s pre-eminent writer, author of The Tin Drum and much else, published a 69-line poem,... [Read more...]
Newest Articles
The Limits of Civil LibertiesIt’s the 50th anniversary of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association. Stan Persky, a long-time BCCLA member, reflects.
The Poet and the Sound of His Own VoiceBrian Fawcett does some textual analysis for a confused reader of Montreal poet Norm Sibum, and explains the difference between a “blog” and an edited website.
Letter from Berlin: Gunter Grass’s PoemGunter Grass writes a poem, and something happens. Stan Persky explains.
A Poetry War in Prince GeorgeThere’s a war going on in Prince George, B.C., and its no joke. Brian Fawcett identifies the differing sides, and the stakes involved. They’re quite a lot larger than they might seem.
The Errors of Their Ways: A French LessonLola Lemire Tostevin has some pointed remarks about Franchophile anglos who massacre the French language because they don’t notice that being a Francophile isn’t the same thing as being a Francophone.
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Terry Glavin’s Afghanistan, and ours, too.Terry Glavin doesn’t see Afghanistan the way the mass media and the progressive left do. Brian Fawcett thinks he’s got it right, and that we’re all involved.
Who Killed CanLit?John Harris looks at the recent Canadian Notes and Queries issue on who killed CanLit, whether or not it’s really dead, and whether a bunch of comfortable white guys are positioned to determine its condition.
The Love That Dared to Write Its NameStan Persky assesses Christopher Bram’s history of contemporary gay writing.
Reading The Cat’s TableBrian Fawcett offers a slightly different take on Michael Ondaatje’s new novel..
The Castle of TorontoStan Persky goes on a Michael Ondaatje voyage.
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Trudy YoungFor a long time, this dictionary thought she was Neil Young’s sister. She did star in Faceoff, which is the second best hockey movie ever made. She’s actually the sister of Sherril’s husband, and we’re not entirely clear who Sherril is, but we’re grateful to her for clearing up who Trudy really is.
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