2024 Festival:
October 21–27

23: An Evening with Wayne Johnston

23: An Evening with Wayne Johnston

SOLD OUT

Update: The venue for this event has changed to The Revue Stage.

Ian Brown describes Wayne Johnston’s Jennie’s Boy as “a story so vibrant and detailed you don’t read it so much as you race along and relive it, blow by staggering blow.” A riveting storyteller and bestselling novelist, Johnston shares stories from his remarkable Newfoundland boyhood in this cozy conversation about his new memoir. Facing life or death crises, Johnston’s childhood was one of harshness and pain—but also tenderness and love expressed in surprising ways. This promises to be a morning of pathos and wit, and a chance to get to know a little more about one of Canada’s most celebrated authors. Moderated by Rob Wiersema.

Presented in partnership with Knopf Canada to celebrate thirty years of publishing great writers and award-winning books.

Event Participants:

Wayne Johnston

WAYNE JOHNSTON was born and raised in Goulds, Newfoundland, where his memoir Jennie’s Boy is set. His novel First Snow, Last Light, was longlisted for the IMPAC Dublin prize. The Colony of Unrequited Dreams was nominated for sixteen awards, and was a Canada Reads finalist. (NEWFOUNDLAND)

Presented in partnership with Knopf Canada to celebrate thirty years of publishing great writers and award-winning books.

Rob Wiersema

ROB WIERSEMA is the author of three novels, a novella, a collection of short stories, and a book of nonfiction. He is one of Canada’s most recognized and respected book reviewers, with his work appearing regularly in The Toronto Star, Quill & Quire, The Globe and Mail, The National Post, and numerous other publications.