The writer and broadcaster Bill Richardson discusses his short story collection I Saw Three Ships: West End Stories (Talonbooks, 2019), and more, with Joseph Planta.

I Saw Three Ships: West End Stories by Bill Richardson (Talonbooks, 2019). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: I Saw Three Ships

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Bill Richardson joins me now. The writer and broadcaster recently published a collection, I Saw Three Shops: West End Stories. They are eight short stories linked because of their setting, Vancouver’s West End neighbourhood, set around Christmas, featuring characters from different walks of life. The stories speak so evocatively of that part of the city, about the people who have been drawn to there over the last fifty years or so, and just how the neighbourhood is changing, much like other areas of Vancouver. The book is sentimental in some parts, as it is melancholy. The characters are real in that they’re people we know, people we’ve seen, people who live near us. I’ll ask Mr. Richardson about these various characters, and how this collection came about. Bill Richardson is an award-winning writer, who received the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour in 1994 for his book Bachelor Brothers’ Bed and Breakfast. He is likely best remembered for his years on CBC Radio, where beginning in 1992 he began as a regular contributor and guest host on Vicki Gabereau’s program, going on to host programs such as As You Like It, Richardson’s Roundup, Bunny Watson, Saturday Afternoon at the Opera, and Sunday Afternoon in Concert, among other programs. John MacLachlan Gray said of Bill that his is “one of the most distinctive voices in the country.” The Twitter handle is @billric36028987. This book is published by Talonbooks. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Bill Richardson; Mr. Richardson, good morning.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (37.1MB)

Subscribe: RSS