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Jane Urquhart Reads Newest Work as Part of Winter Writers Reading Series
She described the reading of the new work as something she doesn't normally do, and recited with some reluctancy the prose that poetically described the intricacies of a unique childhood relationship. Following the reading, Ms. Urquhart read a chapter from her Giller Prize-nominated The Stone Carvers. Earlier in the afternoon, Ms. Urqhhart had visited Prof. Michael Peterman's advanced studies in Canadian literature course, where she discussed with students her novel The Whirlpool, which they had been studying. Prof. Peterman introduced Ms. Urquhart by highlighting her strengths as a romantic writer, who beautifully contrasts old and new worlds with a constant awareness and attention to landscape and the land itself. Ms. Urquhart has emerged over the past 15 years as one of Canada's most highly regarded and popular novelists. Her fictional works include The Whirlpool (1986), Changing Heavens (1990), Away (1993), The Underpainter (1997) and most recently The Stone Carvers, which was nominated for the Giller Prize. As well, she has written three books of poetry, a collection of short fiction and numerous articles and reviews. Ms. Urquhart has served on award juries and held writer-in-residence positions. Other awards won by Ms. Urquhart include the Prix du Meilleur Livre Etranger for The Whirlpool, the Governor General's Award for The Underpainter, the Trillium Award for Away (which was also shortlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award), and the Marian Engel award. Ms. Urquhart's books are published in a number of countries and have been translated into several languages. Ms. Urquhart currently lives in Stratford with her husband, artist Tony Urquhart, but has close family connections to this area through her mother's side of the family. The University's department of English organized the first Writers Reading Series in the 1988-89 academic year, and has planned an exciting lineup for winter 2004. The series features not only established writers, who are well known on the reading circuit, but also acts as a showcase for newer writers who have not yet developed a wide audience. This term's series continues to highlight the work of a number of poets.
Posted January 19, 2004 |
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To
an audience overflowing from the dining hall at Trent's Traill College,
Jane Urquhart treated eager listeners to the reading of an excerpt
from her most recent, yet-to-be-published work on January 21 as part
of this term's Writers Reading Series. 
Julie Johnston, who holds a BA in Honours English (1984) and an Honorary
D. Litt (1996) from Trent University, completed her first novel, Hero
of Lesser Causes, in 1986. It was published in 1992 and was awarded the
Governor General's Award. When her equally popular and successful second
novel, Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me, was also awarded the Governor General's
Award in 1994, she became the first writer to have both a first and second
novel receive this top award. Ms. Johnston's third novel, The Only
Outcast,
published in 1998, was followed by In Spite of Killer Bees (Tundra, 2001). 
Lawrence Hill, who teaches creative writing at Ryerson University in
Toronto, has published two highly acclaimed novels, Some Great Thing (Turnstone Press, 1992) and Any
Known Blood (HarperCollins Canada, 1997).
His most recent non-fiction book is Black Berry, Sweet Juice: On
Being Black and White in Canada. Mr. Hill has done volunteer work for various
groups, including the Ontario Black History Society, the Writers' Union
of Canada and PEN Canada.
Stan Rogal has published poetry, prose and drama. His background as
an actor lends a theatricality to his readings. Mr. Rogal has served
as the Toronto representative for the League of Canadian Poets. He co-ordinates
the Idler Pub Reading Series in Toronto and is coartistic director of
Bald Ego Theatre. His poetry publications include Sweet Betsy From
Pike (1992) and The Imaginary Museum (1993). He published What
Passes for Love in 1996, Personations in 1997 and the short story collection Restless in 1998. His most recent publication is the novel The
Long Drive Home (Insomniac Press, 1999).