It was six years ago yesterday that I began this exploration of the suppressed, ignored and forgotten in Canadian literature. Brian Moore's Sailor's Leave, was the first read. A few hundred books by a few hundred writers followed, but I'll focus on Moore because it all begins and ends with him.
Though he would not acknowledge it as such, Sailor's Leave – a/k/a Wreath for a Redhead – was Moore's debut novel. A paperback written for money, it paid the bills. Without Sailor's Leave, and the six Moore paperback originals that followed, there would've been no Judith Hearne, no The Feast of Lupercal and no The Luck of Ginger Coffey.
Would that today's writers had similar opportunities.
Moore wrote a total of seven paperback originals, the last five under cover of pseudonym. I spent good money on each while he was still alive, but wouldn't read them. It was a misguided decision that had something to do with respect, I suppose. Moore's good friend Bill Weintraub encouraged a change of mind. "The books were immensely readable and his genius for atmosphere, dialogue and plot was everywhere evident," he wrote in his memoir Getting Started.
Bill was right.
I began reading Sailor's Leave on 11 January 2009, the tenth anniversary of Brian Moore's death. This blog's first post came eleven days later. There have been over eight hundred others, but each anniversary has been set aside for the next of Moore's disowned novels.
Yesterday's post on Murder in Majorca was the last, because it was Moore's last; he wrote no more paperbacks. I've now read all his books. It seems the right place to stop.
I've devoted six years to this exploration, and have made some real discoveries, but in all that time the only new books read were by acquaintances and friends.
No more.
It doesn't end here. Not entirely. I'll keep up my Canadian Notes & Queries Dusty Bookcase column. I'll keep reading old Canadian books, too. How could I not? The veins are so rich. There's every chance I'll have something to say about them. I'll return whenever I do.
For now, I've got to catch up on some reading.
yes too much preoccupation with the past prevents reading in the present. That is why I often don't offer a forgotten book.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Patti. I should add that it's becoming increasingly difficult to fake things at cocktail parties.
DeleteIt's been enlightening and often fascinating reading your posts on Canadian books of long ago. Hope you don't disappear for too long.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words, John. I'm sure I'll be posting from time to time.
DeleteMy respect is not misguided.
ReplyDeleteJim Linderman
Nor is mine, Jim. Instead of "Something to do with misguided respect", I should've written "It was a misguided decision that had something to do with respect".
DeleteThanks for pointing that out. I'm going to fix it.
You'll be missed! I'll have to go back into the archives.
ReplyDeleteThank you, James. We had such good times with Tutis, didn't we!
DeleteWonderful achievement 6 years of dedication... enjoyed reading your posts!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the kind words. I'm sure there will be more posts - but in dribs and drabs, rather than a steady stream.
DeleteI'm going to miss my visits here. Always something intriguing to learn about.
ReplyDeleteRead long and prosper
Thank you, Susan.
DeleteBelated congratulations for placing "Poetic Justice" in The Whole She-Bang 2!
Once I found your site I started paying more attention to the older Canadian books. Now that I am watching for them, they don't seem to show up at our Winnipeg charity book sales, of which we have many. Of course, I may have more boxed in my garage than I realize. Please don't completely disappear.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to know I've inspired others to look at these forgotten things, Kent. And good on you for keeping an eye out. Having volunteered in a dozen or so charity sales, I know that they're often hard sells and end up being pulped in the end. I rescue when I can.
DeleteI won't completely disappear. Promise.
Sorry to learn this, although I quite understand your reasons. Good luck in this strange, half-forgotten territory called life!
ReplyDeleteI'm always impressed by the amount of work and care you put into your blog, John. Your recent post on Midnight Warning was a delight to read. My thanks for your good wishes.
DeleteSomehow I missed this post before - so sorry I won't be seeing these anymore. I will be keeping you in my bloodlust, in the hopes you change your mind!
ReplyDeleteI expect there'll be something from time to time, Mark. And, of course, Reynolds guest posts are always welcome.
DeleteI did tell you I picked up a couple more Jim Lotz paperbacks, right? Cost me 50¢ each, they did.
One is signed!
You did mention the Lotz books - let me know how they are. ALSO: Important correction - I noticed some spellchecking gnome changed "bloglist" to "bloodlust." My apologies!
ReplyDelete