Monday 13 July 2020

Moccasin Square Gardens


Moccasin Square Gardensby Richard Van Camp
Many authors are known for just one type of fiction, but not Richard Van Camp. The award-winning novelist also pens comics, TV scripts (CBC’s ‘North of 60’), and is an internationally renowned storyteller. Steeped in the oral traditions of his people, the Tlicho (Tłı̨chǫ) of the Dene First Nations, Van Camp’s storyteller’s voice is wonderfully evident in his highly recommended short story collection, Moccasin Square Gardens.

Set primarily in the Northwest Territories, or Denedeh, Moccasin Square Gardens vividly evokes the rhythms and characters of small-town life 'north of 60'. While some tales bring to mind Stephen Leacock or Stuart McLean, those comparisons fail to capture the dazzling range of themes and genres in this collection. Family discord and reconciliation, environmental degradation, sexuality, fantasy, mythology, and even a smattering of horror is all found here. Yet, even the darker stories are permeated with the author's optimism and sense of humour.

Moccasin Square Gardens opens with 'Aliens’, a lyrical tale of budding romance and two-spirit identity. In 'Man Babies', a resourceful park ranger confronts the lay-about, videogame-obsessed son of the woman he's considering moving in with. In 'Super Indians', an embezzling band chief is hilariously held to account at a community sports day. In the haunting 'I Am Filled with a Trembling Light', the social ills of addiction and abuse are explored when a dying man tries to reclaim the home his father has lost to gambling debts. 

The outliers in the collection are the two 'Wheetago War' stories. Van Camp, a fan of Star Wars who also writes graphic novels, combines Indigenous myth and popular culture in the form of Zombie-like Wheetago monsters, brought back to life by global warming.

It's a cliché, but this clear-eyed, emotion-filled collection will have you laughing and crying, while at the same time contemplating questions of Indigenous and Canadian history and culture.

Richmond Public is offering a free, online discussion of Moccasin Square Gardens on July 29th, from 10:30 to 11:30am, on Zoom. To register, visit www.yourlibrary.ca/events-calendar/ and search for ‘adult summer reading', or phone 604-231-6413.

11 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Useful information are very rare nowadays on web. I would like to thank the author who write and share this article with informative and useful information.

    Kindly Visit our Website:- Change Yahoo Mail Password

    ReplyDelete
  3. An Arab writer of centuries ago advised a distressed person and said that the book is a friend who does not praise you happily and does not put you on the path of evil. I hope Richard Van Camp will be my best companion this summer. Buy Essay Online

    ReplyDelete
  4. I read this post. This is a very informative and interesting article. Family discord and reconciliation, environmental degradation, sexuality, fantasy, mythology, and even a smattering of horror are all found here. Keep sharing your thoughts with us. Now it's time to get Siding Services in Florham Park NJ for more information.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am very impressed with the information about the Moccasin Square Gardens novel. This novel is very interesting I will read this novel and share this article with my friends. Thanks for posting it. Now it's time to avail https://beelinebuild.com/ for more information.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ERP development is a reminder that even in the world of literature and storytelling, the importance of efficient systems and processes (like Enterprise Resource Planning) can't be underestimated. Just as Richard Van Camp blends different genres and themes in his writing, businesses should consider integrating diverse tools, erp development and technologies to streamline their operations and enhance their storytelling in the market.

    ReplyDelete
  7. 'Aliens,' a beautiful tale of blooming passion and two-spirit identity, kicks off Moccasin Square Gardens. In 'Man Babies,' a smart park ranger confronts the lax, videogame-obsessed son of the woman he's thinking about marrying. In 'Super Indians,' an embezzling band leader is put to account at a community sports day in a funny way. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Keep up the good job! Continue to spread the word. Please take a peek at my website.
    reckless driving virginia

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your ability to provide practical advice is both helpful and actionable. Solar

    ReplyDelete
  9. "Moccasin Square Gardens delves into the rich tapestry of Indigenous life, blending humor and heartbreak in a vivid ||Abogado de Multas de Tráfico Nueva Jersey||Domestic Violence Charges New Jersey exploration of community and identity."

    ReplyDelete
  10. Among the new generation of racing games, Drive Mad stands out as an exciting entry that combines intense driving mechanics with a variety of levels and obstacles.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Playing online games helps to bitlife train critical thinking skills. In many strategy games, players must quickly make decisions based on constantly changing situations, thereby improving their ability to reason logically and process information.

    ReplyDelete