Randall Maggs stars at Winterset reading

Randall Maggs seemed to be the big star at Wednesday's readings by the three finalists for the Winterset award. His book, Night Work: The Sawchuk Poems, is an intriguing collection of biographical poems about one of the sports world's most enigmatic figures, goaltender Terry Sawchuck. Maggs told the large audience in St. John's about how he interviewed those who knew - and played hockey with - Sawchuck. This is history told in the Homeric tradition, when poetry claimed a central role in culture and the telling of history.

Readings by the other two finalists, Sara Tilley and Marie Wadden, were somewhat less memorable, particularly Wadden's, whose presentation was disjointed and lengthy. Tilley's Skin Room appears to be an intriguing book, but I am waiting until she ceases to be considered "The Next Young Thing" to emerge on Newfoundland and Labrador's literay scene. While she is undoubtedly talented, her presentation conveyed little that made me want to buy her book - Lisa Moore she is not; at least not yet.

Wadden's book, Where the Pavement Ends, is a book by a crusading journalist who has spent much of her career advocating on behalf of aboriginal peoples in Canada. The Toronto Star describes her book as follows: “[Wadden] demonstrates conclusively why throwing billions of dollars in outside-designed program funding at isolated communities is doomed to failure . . . Her advocacy of an end to both Indian Act waste and assimilationist notions, and for increased training and reliable multi-year funding that will give the healing movement the resources it is waiting for, is a message all Canadians should hear and absorb.” This is undoubtedly an important work, so why is Wadden - a journalist who is used to getting her point across - unable to communicate coherently when asked to do so? After listening to her, I felt I "should" read her book, much as one should take medicine when feeling ill.

In summary, I favour Maggs for the Winterset.