The Hornbooks of Ríta K

Ronald Charles Epstein is a Toronto-based freelance writer and published poet.

Those who are familiar with Robert Kroetsch’s milieu, but not his
writings, are aware that this prairie postmodernist is an important
figure in contemporary Canadian literature. His most acclaimed
achievement was his 1969 novel, The Studhorse Man, which won a Governor
General’s Award. Since then, he has written several novels as well as
volumes of poetry.

The Hornbooks of Rнta K is about a courier named Raymond whose lover,
central Alberta poet Rнta Kleinhart, vanishes after a visit to a
Frankfurt art museum. Raymond attempts to understand her disappearance
by rummaging through her personal papers. This book is a collection of
her writings, arranged into traditional primers called hornbooks,
accompanied by Raymond’s commentary. Kroetsch’s experience enables
him to assume the role of Rнta. His credibility can be proven by
comparing two literary citations: “Even bankers cannot imagine gold.
Magpies hardly manage to shit” and “Something moving in the garden a
cat.” The fictional poet wrote the first quote and the second is by
Aram Saroyan, a real American writer. Much of the verse is repetitious
banality, which alternates with circular nonsense. The author is
covered, since the verse is attributed to a fictional character.
However, readers cannot be sure if he also thinks that Rнta is a lousy
writer.

Do we have the right to judge notes that we were not meant to read?
Perhaps Rнta is the literary equivalent of those whimsical hosts who
fill their medicine cabinets with marbles in order to embarrass nosy
guests. This book’s rare humor turns readers into the underachieving
students of a comical science teacher who remember his jokes but forget
his formulas. The Hornbooks of Rнta K will win few fans; everybody may
not love “Raymond” for introducing them to her work.