August 29th, 2011

Swearing in the margins

One of the nicest things that happened to me earlier this summer was receiving the opportunity to write for UofT Magazine (which published my story “Georgia Coffee Star” two years ago). Even better, my assignment required me to read Ray Robertson’s Why Not? Fifteen Reasons to Live, which was so provocative that I kept swearing in the margins first read through. (This proved to be embarrassing when I had to pass the book on to a fact checker). Upon second reading, however, I really understood and admired what Robertson was up to with this book, even though I didn’t always agree with him.

As I wrote, “Never, ever boring, within the wild trajectory of each piece, Robertson backtracks, repeats himself, changes his mind and displays his characteristic ribald humour. Why Not? is intentionally provocative, stirring readers to vehemently agree or disagree. But this is Robertson’s point: to be stirred at all, regardless.”

You can read the whole thing here.