Archive

Authors on Stage returning to Orangeville Opera House next month

October 1, 2019   ·   0 Comments

By Constance Scrafield

Once again, this October, BookLore and Theatre Orangeville are bringing award-winning, internationally renowned authors to the main stage with their new books, their conversation and readings for us, the very fortunate book loving people of Orangeville.

This year, there are two events, one at either end of October and five authors altogether to enthrall and amaze us. 

The first of these events is next Wednesday, October 2, when coming here are Emma Donoghue with her latest work, Akin; Linden MacIntyre who is bringing his recently released The Wake and Charlotte Gray, whose new book is Murdered Midas.

Nancy Frater, co-founder and owner of BookLore, told us in a recent interview, “The theme this year is history, and these remarkable books are all non-fiction that reads like a novel. Each of these authors has researched their stories thoroughly.”

Emma Donoghue is well known for her previous book, Room. Room has been translated into 42 languages, selling over two million copies worldwide. Ms Donoghue wrote the screen play for the movie, Room, which won four Oscars.

With Akin, she once again tells the story from the point of view of the boy, one of the two protagonists. This is his tale of himself and the other, an 80-something retired and widowed professor in New York, who suddenly finds himself becoming the guardian of his 11-year-old great-nephew. He takes the boy with him to France, where he was born and to which he is returning for he first time since he left as a child, at the beginning of the Second World War. 

The uncle had already planned this trip and the search for answers about his own mother’s unknown role during the war, based on a few old photographs he found in his late wife’s belongings. There is where history begins and the lessons about how even strange relationships within a family can develop.

Linden MacIntyre has good reason to have written The Wake: he was born near St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, in a village that, along with hundreds more villages and dwellings, was completely washed away by a massive tsunami, thrusting waves three storeys high that crashed the shore at a hundred kilometres an hour. The year was 1929 and the event was the most destructive earthquake-related one in the history of the land, killing 28 people at the time and destroying those homes and lives of hundreds more.

The story of the tragedy itself, the short- and long-term consequences and the struggle to survive make gripping reading from this Scotiabank Giller prize-winning writer.

Charlotte Gray, with a long list of successful books, including many about the women of Canada’s history, has as her latest step in her succession of successes Murdered Midas: A Millionaire, His Goldmine and a Strange Death on an Island Paradise.

This is the story of Sir Harry Oakes, a man driven to succeed. He made himself a very large fortune, once named the richest man in the Empire, by being right about gold mines,  Toronto’s potential in the 1930’s and the manipulation of politics in times of war. He also understood the meaning of philanthropy when he moved his family and household to the Bahamas. 

His murder in the Bahamas has never been solved but speculation has festered about all those who knew him, including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, living there at the time. 

While there have been other books written about Sir Harry, Ms. Gray has rightly decided to deliver “a new look at this gritty pioneer, on whom this country once depended…” with Murdered Midas.

Mrs. Frater has sometimes been very impressed, always deeply appreciative, and, perhaps a little in awe of the celebrity authors that have come to Orangeville to participate in these “Author” events.

Now, she does agree there are good reasons for them to be here: “We’ve worked hard for 30 years to build a reputation. We submit proposals to or just ask publicists. It’s a win – win [arrangement]. For them and for us.”

Whenever Mrs. Frater sees a literary festival or event that includes authors coming to read or talk to readers, where the local book store is not involved, she regrets the lost opportunities to promote both the books and the stores that sell them.

“We sell a lot of books at these Authors on Stage evenings [and, sometimes, afternoons] and then, after at the store,” she assured us.

On October 29, Steven Price and Guy Gavriel Kay are coming for the second evening event. 

Steve Price, winner of the Giller Prize last year for his book By Gaslight, has written Lampedusa, a story that actually happened on the tiny Italian island of that name. Aristocracy, mystery and a prince’s legacy fill the pages for a fascinating tale.

Welcome back to Guy Gavriel Kay with his new book, A Brightness Long Ago. Also set in Italy, the timing is the early Renaissance – love, wealth, men with too much power and those who would take it. 

“Unforgettable characters,” Nancy Frater calls them.

She asked us to include them now, even with plans to write about them more fully later in the mouth, as a reminder to patrons to attend, because BookLore and Theatre Orangeville are offering a discount to those wanting to attend both: the price of admission to each of them is $30, whereas the admission to them both is $50.

A reception follows each of the Authors on Stage with “wine and gourmet goodies,” and a chance to purchase books and meet the authors.

Remember, all the proceeds from these delightful evenings go to Theatre Orangeville’s New Play Development, which supports new plays being writing by established and upcoming Canadian playwrights.

So, the first of the two Authors on stage is Wednesday, October 2, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets at BookLore, 121 First Street. Telephone 519-942-3830 and the theatre Box Office , 87 Broadway and the Information Centre on Buena Vista Drive at Highway 10. Telephone 519-942-3423.

Readers Comments (0)