A new collection The Heart Does Break: Canadian Writers on Grief and Mourning (Random House, 2009) is discussed. The book’s editors, George Bowering and Jean Baird talk to Joseph Planta about grief, mourning, and this collection of essays written by well-known Canadian writers.

The Heart Does Break: Canadian Writers on Grief and Mourning edited by George Bowering and Jean Baird. (Random House, 2010) Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Heart Does Break

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

A powerful, resourceful, and much needed book is The Heart Does Break: Canadian Writers on Grief and Mourning. It’s a collection of remarkable essays about death from some of Canada’s best known writers. Those whose writing is featured include Brian Brett, Austin Clarke, Frank Davey, Jill Frayne, Joan Givner, Marni Jackson, Paul Quarrington, and Steven Reid among many others. The collection is edited by George Bowering and Jean Baird, who sought a book like this when Ms. Baird’s daughter, Bronwyn died suddenly. Joining me now are George Bowering and Jean Baird. She is the head of the Al Purdy A-Frame Trust, and is an English professor and a former magazine publisher. George Bowering is a poet, novelist, essayist, critic, historian and editor. He was Canada’s first Parliamentary Poet Laureate. The book, The Heart Does Break is published by Random House. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program George Bowering and Jean Baird; Good morning, Ms. Baird; Good morning, Mr. Bowering.

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