correction line

“correction line”
by Dennis Cooley
Published by Thistledown Press
Reviewed by Kelly-Anne Riess
$15.95 ISBN 978-1-897235-50-8

Dennis Cooley’s long poem correction line is both touching and poignant, recreating memory and the prairie landscape.

Cooley shows his many talents, as his work is vernacular, funny, anecdotal and personal, touching on his own family history.

“correction line” plays with ideas around creation and how things, like poetry, are produced. For instance he writes in response to his surrounding geography, but also from what he’s learned studying others’ poetry and literary theory over the last 30 years or so.

A correction line is a device used to compensate for the curve of longitude. And Cooley’s book follows the line between his beginnings in Estevan, Saskatchewan to his current home of Winnipeg. It also traces a poetic line to American poet Charles Olson, writing:

/an O pening
of the field/

At the beginning of the book, Cooley almost quotes Eli Mandel’s poem “Life Sentence” in its entirety.

Mandel was the first poet from Estevan, and now Cooley is the second.

Cooley’s words are more than semantic, as he uses them for visual effect. On one page, for example, the words physically create the appearance of a farmer’s field.

His lines do double duty, pivoting meaning and bringing surprise.

“correction line” is one of Cooley’s best.

This book is available at your local bookstore or visit www.skbooks.com.

Published in:  on 25 November 2009 at 3:40 pm Leave a Comment
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Richardson’s Ramblings

“Richardson’s Ramblings”
by E. George Richardson
Published by Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing
review by Sharon Adam
$16.95 ISBN978-1-894431-12-5

This slim volume is a compendium of poetry, essays, editorials and reflections gathered from Mr. Richardson’s life. A native of Pelly, Saskatchewan, Richardson’s book covers his writing over the past 60 years and is comprised of topics that held significance to his life and imagination,

We learn that a young George lied about his age and joined the armed forces in an effort to follow his two brothers into combat during the Second World War. He was restricted to Canada because he was blind in one eye, the result of a childhood accident. He began writing about his experiences during this time and continued throughout his life. Imagination was also a source for his writing and we are invited to share his whimsy on such subjects as life’s journey, winning the lottery and what if?

His ramblings are diverse and include thoughts on such subjects as the Calgary Flames, politics, and the British Royal Family. Readers discover his passion for friendship and family as he explores his emotions through poetry and essay. George reveals his personality to his readers through his honesty and fearless approach to his subjects. This reflection of a lifestyle and a remembrance of George’s past is a pleasant reminder of our own past and perhaps mirrors some of our own recollections of what was. This is a good book to pick up and read bits and pieces or straight through.

Published in:  on 19 November 2009 at 2:47 pm Leave a Comment
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Fight for Justice

“Fight for Justice”
By Lori Saigeon
Published by Coteau Books
Review by Ryan Melnyk
$7.95 ISBN: 978-1-55050-405-7

School for a child can be one of the most terrifying places he or she might go. In the case of Justice, the main character of “Fight for Justice”, every corner is one worth worrying about. We all know that school is full of bullies and it is said that if you just mind your own business, no one will bother you. However, the modern bully in an elementary school these days has changed; it is now rare that one will do anything wrong without a group of people to help conceal his or her actions and torment the victim. They also do not resort to physical conflict without reason because they know more trouble will come if the victim had been physically hurt. Even the appearance of bullies today is different; you might think that the biggest kid on the playground is the one who picks on everyone. Bullying today is often mental abuse and even spiritual abuse. Bullies are good at finding kids’ weak points.

Fighting for Justice deals with every kind of bullying children might face in the early years and I recommend it to younger readers for many reasons. The first is that it deals with how to stand up to a bully who is one of those guys or girls no one in their right mind would dare to cross. It also shows young readers why other kids their age act the way they do, and it isn’t hard to realize why that affects their behavior.

The softer side to this story is played through Justice and his family’s Aboriginal background. Justice is very fond of his Mushum and Kokum (grandparents), even more so the reserve in Ontario where they live. Justice acts like a dog who wants to go outside when his mother tells him that his family is going to visit the reserve to see his grandparents. This is like a vacation to Disneyland for Justice and his sister Charity. Justice and Charity are both very outgoing, which makes this book a fast and interesting read that will make young readers (even reluctant ones) want to read more.

Published in:  on 10 November 2009 at 1:26 pm Leave a Comment
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Dancing In My Bones

“Dancing in My Bones”
by Wilfred Burton and Anne Patton
Published by the Gabriel Dumont Institute
Review by Arnold J. Isbister
Price $12.95 ISBN 978-0-920915-89-9

I found this book insightful and entertaining. It is a good read for young people and adults as well. It takes you into a young boy’s life and shows how his culture plays such an important part in his upbringing. The language of the story is simple with the words written as the people would talk in such situations. I love the full page (21×28cm) colored illustrations with the story in English and below in Michif. These dimensions make the book more entertaining and engaging and make it feel good in the hands as you read, especially to kids who want to see the images whilst peeking over your shoulder. They are big, full of color and full of life, making the imagination ‘dance’. I greatly admire the imagery like the supper scene or the scene where Uncle Bunny is sitting and starting to play his violin as his foot taps the floor. These bring back fond memories that most can identify with. This is why I recommend this book for adults as well because most who have lived this life will remember and go back to their younger years. This book is perfect for a Moushoom to Nooshishim bedtime story where I see both falling asleep with smiles on their faces.

In addition to being a good read with fantastic imagery, I thought the glossary was a great idea. The recipe idea and add-on was genius and should be expanded on, maybe including some cultural staples such as bannock and Muskeg tea. Last but not least is the CD with actual music from this culture that makes you live the story. Play the tunes as you read and the imagery becomes that much more vivid.

“THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR VISIT WWW.SKBOOKS.COM “

Published in:  on 3 November 2009 at 11:59 am Leave a Comment
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