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William Dempsey Valgardson (born 7 May 1939) is an Icelandic-Canadian fiction writer and poet. He was a long-time professor of writing at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. [1]
- Overview
- Works in Biographical and Historical Context
- Works in Literary Context
- Works in Critical Context
- Responses to Literature
- Bibliography
During the 1970s, William Dempsey Valgardson established himself as one of Canada's foremost writers of short fiction. His forceful presentation of lives shaped by isolation and the brutal effects of a northern environment, his careful control of narrative method, and his respect for his audience have won him both a wide read-ership and high praise...
Isolated Childhood Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in 1939, Valgardson was the son of Dempsey Alfred Herbert and Rachel Iris Valgardson. His father was a fisherman of Icelandic descent. Valgardson grew up in Gimli, a fishing village on Lake Winnipegwhich was originally known as New Iceland as it was settled in 1875 and 1876 by Icelandic settler...
As a writer, Valgardson found inspiration in his Icelandic ancestry as well as the rural Canadian landscapes where he grew up and taught. Thus, many of his Books are set in harsh northern environments. In addition to being influenced by Icelandic storytelling traditions, Valgardson is often compared with Russian writers, and he admitted that Anton ...
Critical opinion of Valgardson has generally been positive, with some reviewers calling his work “prairie gothic” because of its unflinching depiction of the brutal aspects of rural life. Critics praise his works for their craftsmanship, dedication, deep understanding of human motivation, and attention to detail in writing about such areas. While s...
Use the following questions as a basis for a small group discussion. Provide a definition, in your own words, for what you think the term “prairie gothic” means. Why do you think some critics have...Valgardson's Icelandic heritage comes through in several of his stories. In an essay, examine the following questions: What role does his ancestral culture play in his narratives? How does it inter...Write a paper that addresses the following concerns: What major themes does Valgardson return to in his work? How effectively does he address these themes, in your opinion?Valgardson hails from one of the “prairie provinces” of Canada. In a paper, compare his work with that of other Canadian writers from the central part of the country—Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatch...Periodicals
Mahoney, Anne Louise. Review of Sarah and the People of Sand River. Quill & Quire, September 1994: 43. Phelan, Carolyn. Review of Sarah and the People of Sand River. Booklist, November 1, 1996: 496. Review of Sarah and the People of Sand River. Publishers Weekly243, no. 39 (September 23, 1996): 76. Vale, Adrian. Review of God Is Not a Fish Inspector. Irish Times, July 10, 1976.
47 William Dempsey Valgardson (1939–) Biography. William Dempsey Valgardson (b. 1939) is an Icelandic-Canadian fiction writer and poet. He was a long-time professor of writing at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. Valgardson was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, of Icelandic descent, and raised in Gimli, Manitoba.
- James Sexton, Derek Soles
- 2019
Apr 10, 2008 · William Dempsey Valgardson, short story writer, novelist, poet (b at Winnipeg, Man 7 May 1939). Raised in Gimli, Man, a heavily Icelandic community, he was educated at U Man and the University of Iowa, and now teaches at U Vic. The characters of his short stories struggle against an often violent natural world and the implacable force of destiny.
Apr 27, 2019 · A short piece of Canadian fiction about cities, perception, and privilege, read by Jerry Edwards of All Stories Aloud. From Wikipedia: William Dempsey Valgardson (born 7 May 1939) is an Icelandic...
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- All Stories Aloud
W.D. Valgardson. (b. 1939) Quick Reference. (b. 1939). William Dempsey Valgardson was born in Winnipeg, but spent most of his childhood in Gimli, Manitoba. He received a B.A. (1961) from United College, a B.Ed. (1965) from ... From: Valgardson, W. D. in The Oxford Companion to Canadian Literature » Subjects: Literature. Reference entries.
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(Valgardson 1). The reader can infer that this man is quite well kept most of the time, and most likely has a stable career. Antagonist: The cop was the antagonist in which, he was the one who ended up shooting the man, with no apparent evidence. The cop was a stock, flat and static character.
