“Family, for all its importance, is a fragile idea. It changes as we do,” says The New Yorker. Delving into the changing nature of family relationships and their power to galvanize or devastate are three of the most celebrated authors in Canada, in a fascinating conversation during The Alma Lee Opening Night Event.

City of Vancouver Book Award-winner Chelene Knight explores a complex mother/daughter relationship in her anticipated “jewel of a novel,” Junie. In The Theory of Crows, David A. Robertson asks how far the bonds between father and daughter can stretch after a devastating ordeal and a journey that lies ahead. And bestselling favourite Lisa Moore explores stories across generations in This is How We Love. You can’t pick your family; you can pick your books. Here’s a good place to start. Moderated by Kathryn Gretsinger.

Event Participants:

Kathryn Gretsinger

KATHRYN GRETSINGER is an associate professor of teaching at the School of Journalism, Writing, and Media. She is a long-time public broadcaster at the CBC, and has been named one of North America’s top innovative journalism educators.

Chelene Knight

CHELENE KNIGHT is the author of Junie, Braided Skin, and Dear Current Occupant, winner of the 2018 Vancouver Book Award. She founded her own literary studio, Breathing Space Creative, through which she has launched The Forever Writers Club. Chelene also works as a literary agent. (BRITISH COLUMBIA)

Lisa Moore

LISA MOORE is the acclaimed author of This is How We Love and several other novels and short story collections. Her books have won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and CBC’s Canada Reads, and been named finalists for the Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize and the Scotiabank Giller Prize. (NEWFOUNDLAND)

David A. Robertson

DAVID A. ROBERTSON is the author of the Governor General’s Literary Award-winning When We Were Alone. Robertson is a member of Norway House Cree Nation. The Stone Child is the third book in Misewa Saga middle-grade series and The Theory of Crows is his first novel for adults. (MANITOBA)