Vancouver: Soul of a City

L.J. Rouse was a freelance writer in Toronto.

The “soul of a city” is surely to be found, if anywhere, in its inhabitants. Anthologist Gary Geddes, himself a noted writer, has assembled here some 90 writings, produced by 70 authors and poets who have in some way been affected by this queenly city. Some of the writers are among the fortunate native-born, others are transplants and a few are visitors passing through.

This enormously varied collection is divided into several sections: Getting There; Real Estate In Paradise; Clearing the Coast; The Race That Never Ends; Acclimatizing The Muses; Hotline; and Back To Earth And Other Options.

The list of contributors is an honour roll of a great many of Canada’s finest writers, some already renowned, others whose fame should be assured by the quality of their contributions here. Among the most familiar names in a glittering list are Margaret Laurence, Emily Carr, Pauline Johnson, Alice Munro, Eric Nicol, bill bissett, Joy Kogawa, Norman Levine, Audrey Thomas and Al Purdy.

This handsome volume is a worthy and lasting tribute to Vancouver’s proud Centennial year.