George Ryga

This writer deserves to be noted . His insight into the lives of the dispossessed and disregarded and his ability to write books and plays in a most descriptive and poetic manner was always impressive. He was also a most impressive person.

Thanks, notamused!

Fixed now.

earl(e) Birney

I thought TURVEY pretty fair novel; I often mulled over that it preceded the American CATCH -22 by several years. It is quite a quick reaction to WWII by Birney.
I also read Birney's DOWN THE LONG TABLE, a novel set during the 1930's depression, and 1950's Mc Carthyism. It is a terrific political comment. Birney's choice of newspaper headlines from the time often have a too familiar ring to them.

Lowry

There's still a dispute over whether Malcolm was actually a BC writer. Born in the UK, he also lived in Mexico, the US so does that make him a Mexican, British and US writer, too? It's a fun argument to be had over several bottles of mescal.

The fact is Lowry did spend a good chunk of his time in Dollarton, although he likely spent more time in Vancouver's bars during his time here.

I read Under the Volcano when I was a young man, and it left an indelible impression on me that still resonates. It's arguably one of the best novels of the 20th Century, if not the best. Lowry is writer who not only sacrificed his liver, but his sanity, indeed - his entire being - in getting that novel done.

Crawford, it would be fun if you had the courage to write a similar list, noting who you think are the worst, most over-rated writers to come from BC. There are plenty to chose from.

Ken Belford

If you think the list of authors above get BC right, you are missing one of the great ones....the poet Ken Belford.

Not prolific, but remarkable for his view of the world from north of Prince George...far far beyond Hope...

definetely a must read....and should be on everyones Christmas list..

My Nominee for the Most Neglected Artist

And while we are on the subject of neglected writers, let me spout off about the most neglected artist in B.C. history: E.J. Hughes.

While Mr. Hughes is relatively well known in eastern Canada, where his paintings have sold well for years, he is almost unknown in B.C. His work is as good as any in the Group of Seven; one of his originals sold several years ago for $900,000. Most of his originals sell in the range of $200,000 to $300,000.

He lived most of his life around Duncan on Vancouver Island. He died there just a few years ago in very modest surroundings. Most of his landscapes are from the Cowichan Valley or Vancouver Island.

I lived in Duncan for 22 years and never heard of this great artist until just a couple of years ago. The same is true for most people in the area. His work can be seen at http://www.ejhughes.ca/index.shtml

Negleted Writer

To 'x4estworker'. Thanks for the pointer, but the category is "Writer" not "Artist".

Two Neglected (negleted?)

Two writers from successive generations: David Watmough and Stan Persky. Both gay, immigrants to the west coast and autobiographical at heart but a generation apart and therefore can be read as chroniclers of a sensibility in transition - plus a lot more.

Peter Trower -

Poet. Novelist.

Love the nerve, muscle, sinew...the wonder of his work.

Peter Trower

Never worked in the BC woods? No problem, Trower will make you swear you had.

and.....

for those who have ever been wildly in love.... and for those who never have...Trower takes you there, too.

Thanks for the list...

I've only read Ethel Wilson and "Swamp Angel" was terrific.

Howard O'Hagan

Howard O'Hagan's "Tay John" is the greatest BC novel ever written. In fact, it might be Canada's best. (Michael Ondaatje is a fan, too.) Terribly neglected, "Tay John" is only available as an M&S paperback.
It is good to see Earle Birney at the head of this list -- Canada's best poet.

Teaching the Writers

In my secondary school Canadian Studies literature course I taught in the 1970s, I led students to read poems, stories and novels by most of these writers. The exceptions are Norman Newton and Bertrand Sinclair. L/R/ Wright came to school and talked to my students about being a writer. Grania mentioned George Ryga. I taught his works too. We even read a poem or two by David Watmough. There is no reason these writers need to be 'neglected'.

Green Island

- the 'unmentionable' authors and writings in capitalistland, of which BC is a part, are those who write about alternatives such as Green Island http://www.rudemacedon.ca/greenisland.html .

Thank you

Thank you for including my Mom, Bunny Wright, on this list. She was a very reserved person with no disposition for "putting herself out there," as the saying goes. But she wrote some cracking good stuff.

Indeed, I've been missing her today; it's a pleasure to see her name in print once again.

Emily Pauline Johnson

Poet, journalist, storyteller, performer, and the list goes on... you could claim she's Ontarian from her roots with the Five Nations, but her life ended in Vancouver, where she penned _Legends of Vancouver_, which is more than just a curio for the tourist, but a paean to the people of her beloved friend, Chief Joe Capilano. An under-appreciated talent, to be sure.

Who are B.C.'s best neglected writers?

Eric Nicol. A great humourist should not be overlooked. Eric won the Stephen Leacock Award in 1951, 1956 and 1958, and received the Order of Canada in 2000. He wrote more than three dozen books--novels, essays and various compilations, and was a beloved columnist for The Province for decades. His first book was published in 1947 and his most recent in 2004, and he ain't done yet.