Date
Wed September 23, 2009
A Reader's Guide to the Canadian Novel: Second Edition by John Moss
View more items filed under “Non-Fiction” in our Open Book Archives.
Weston Words, with Ray Robertson
Submitted by Grace on October 19, 2011 - 8:13am
The Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction carries not only the name of Ontario's former Lieutenant Governor, but also one of the most significant purses for a literary prize in Canada, with $60,000 awarded to the author judged to have written the finest work of non-fiction. New this year, the prize constitutes a partnership between the philanthropic Weston family and venerable literary non-profit the Writers' Trust of Canada. Open Book is thrilled to introduce a dedicated interview series with this year's finalists for the prize. Today we speak with Ray Robertson, author of Why Not? Fifteen Reasons to Live (Biblioasis). Open Book:Tell us about the book for which you were shortlisted. Ray Robertson:Shortly after completing my sixth novel during the summer of 2007, I suffered from a depression of suicidal intensity. A year later, after physically and mentally recovering, I found that I’d been provided with a rare opportunity: to write a book exploring from a uniquely advantageous perspective two of life’s most central and enduring questions: What makes human beings happy? What makes life worth living? OB:Where were you when you received news of your nomination? RR:There was a message on the answering machine when we got home from the cottage saying to please call the Writers’ Trust. I’m glad I called them back. OB:What unique experience or benefit does non-fiction provide for readers? RR:I’m not sure if there is any — good writing is good writing, whether it be a novel, a biography or a collection of essays. That said, well-written non-fiction is increasingly rare, as “facts” and “information” seem to be enough to satisfy most readers and writers. But, of course, ultimately a book — however illuminating informationally — will only endure if it is well-written. OB:Tell us about a favourite non-fiction book. RR:Any of Mordecai Richler’s books of essays. What I want most from a writer is a strongly defined voice — a voice not like any other — and Richler’s essays are inimitably his: funny, caustically smart and deeply human, just as his novels. OB:What can you tell us about your next project? RR:It’s a novel entitled I Was There the Night he Died. I was actually halfway through it when I stopped to write Why Not? Fifteen Reasons to Live. Related item from our archives |