Appreciated the diversity of voices and writing styles in this collection, especially as an American wanting to learn more about Canada

What I liked:

I am always really interested to hear from writers with more diverse backgrounds and diverse characters. There was definitely a lot to find in this collection. Some of the stories were very well written, and I was sad when they ended as quickly as they did

What I didn't like:

Like so many anthologies, the amount I enjoyed any given story varied a lot. There was also more poetry than I expected, which didn't change my rating, but because I didn't expect to find so much it did throw me off, so I mention it. The first story in the anthology also deals with some pretty graphic subject matter, and I wonder if it was the right choice to punch readers in the face like that immediately. I have to admit I almost put the book aside, wondering if I'd be able to handle the content after I read it.

Overall:

As much as I question one or two of the editing decisions that went into this book, it was refreshing to see an anthology from writers with such varied backgrounds. The stories were also unapologetically Canadian, but questioned the idea of "being Canadian" at the same time. For me, it's a solid 3* but I'd definitely read the next anthology

This collection provides a diverse array of emerging voices in CanLit that demonstrate the changing field of CanLit. It is a collection that shows how CanLit is becoming what Smaro Kamboureli calls CanLits, as there are few formal or cultural similarities that appear throughout the selections, demonstrating the range of diversity that is emerging in Canadian publishing. A worthwhile read for anyone who keeps current with Canadian publishing.

One of the first things I can remember hearing about Canadians is that there aren’t any. Every one in Canada identifies as something else, or comes form somewhere else. But no matter who or what, everyone has a voice in this anthology. Everyone who wishes to speak can be heard, and that says a lot about literature and what it means.

In this anthology, there are writings by over 30 different Canadians who have this place to tell their story, in verse, in prose, in poetry . This isn't fiction, though. It is an anthology of academic writings by respected authors, and these are lived experiences and nothing told me to expect the writings to be fun. But I didn’t really enjoy these stories. They were difficult to read. Sadly, a lot of the works dealt with racism and/or abuse and how that looked from different perspectives. It’s not pleasant subject matter, although some of these stories were powerful and life-affirming.

Yeesh. After reading about various forms of rape and abuse in the first three chapters, I had to put this down. There is something perverse about treating diversity as synonymous with trauma. I prefer to read (and love being introduced to) writers from underrepresented backgrounds, but not when the stories are restricted to such narrow subject matter--that seems compiled to educate a mainstream reader, rather than for the pleasure and growth of a diverse audience who can see themselves in the stories.