The author, critic and literary activist Anakana Schofield discusses her recent novel, Malarky (Biblioasis, 2012), writing, the literary scene in Vancouver, and more, with Joseph Planta.

Malarky by Anakana Schofield (Biblioasis, 2012). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Malarky

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

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

The author and critic Anakana Schofield joins me now. Her first novel was published earlier this year, Malarky. Here’s how it’s described at the back of the book: “Malarky is the story of an Irish mother forced to look grief in the eye, and of a wife coming face to face with the mad agony of longing.” I’ll get Ms. Schofield to tell us about the book, what the process was like in writing it—it took something like ten years to do this—and the reception to it thus far, which I can report has been quite good. I’ve known of Anakana Schofield for a couple of years now. I saw her on a panel at the Vancouver Writers Festival discussing books from this part of the world, Vancouver, British Columbia, and in general the west coast. I was struck at her keenness in arriving here as an immigrant from Ireland and Britain, and finding solace and knowledge, wisdom perhaps from the literature of this place, which was new to her. I greatly admire that in her, and I’m very pleased to have her on the program today. It’ll be interesting to find out if what she’s read about this place, when coming here a few years ago now, informed the writing of this book. The website for more is at www.malarky.ca. The book is published by Biblioasis. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Anakana Schofield; Ms. Schofield, good morning.

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