Writer's fest-ee-val

Vancouver's writer's festival and meeting the now John Metcalf gave me a new sense of literary revival. He reminds me of the Russian formalists, or Barahani. Their attitude to not only language, but life, is very similar. You can hear their common life themes, allegories, stories, views of the world, philosophy, arrogance, humorous, with sense of authority and voice. Also met Fred Wah, The Poet, from Kootenays. Andre Alexis made a huge mark on my impression of Toronto writers corners, and Iain Reid of Ontario. Anosh Irani's reading was more of a sudden joke, in a good way, I guess. Alexander Chee and Garnette Cadogan were amazing. Sharon Olds was ok. Madelein Thien, awesome. Guy Gavriel Kay, even better. Eimear McBride, hilarious. Yann Martel, fun. Please read them!