In Conversation with Lawrence Hill

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fiction works fiction works non- the celebrated author including the is of ten books, Hill belonging. and tity ethnicity, approach iden role arelevant to plays his race, heritage in mixed-blood His activists. Rights 1953, in D.C. Civil to Canada influential became where they awhite mother U.S. and from the who father moveda black from Washington, on February 28, 2017, 28, on February Faculty and students hundred of audience about an two as competition the twice. to win The Illegal Le combat des livres Radio’s CBC Reads both Canada as well book, as Writers’Rogers Writers’ Trust Commonwealth the and Fiction for best Prize prize W.W. Norton title under the & Company and Blood Known Any ofStuff Life (2013). The Blood: (1992), Thing novels Hill’s include Great Some (2013) published Burning of as aBook An Anatomy 2013 Lectures his and Massey Joshua Key–, with collaboration –in (2007) the from Who in War Away Iraq Soldier Walked ter’s Tale:Ordinary of An Story The (2001), in Canada White and Black Juice: Being On Sweet Berry, Black Negro Women’s Canadian Association the ofof Vision: Story The The The Illegal “THE CHALLENGE OF HEART AND IMAGINATION”: AND OF HEART CHALLENGE “THE Revista Canaria de Estudios Ingleses Estudios de Canaria Revista Lawrence Hill was born in 1957 born in was Ontario. son He the of is Hill Newmarket, Lawrence in The following interview took place in my office in a mild, sunny afternoon sunny mild, a in in my tookoffice place interview The following won 2016 the Reads edition of Canada IN CONVERSATION WITH LAWRENCE HILL LAWRENCE WITH CONVERSATION IN (2007) (1997), (2007) Book of novels Negroes The much-acclaimed the and Trials and Triumphs: The Story of African-Canadians Trials Triumphs: and of African-Canadians Story The –also released in the U.S. in 2007 by U.S. 2007 the in in released (2015). –also Book of Negroes The «EL DESAFÍO DEL CORAZÓN Y LA IMAGINACIÓN»: YLA CORAZÓN DEL DESAFÍO «EL . The book was also turned into a six-part television miniseries. intominiseries. television a turned six-part also . Thebookwas EN CONVERSACIÓN CON LAWRENCE HILL LAWRENCE CON CONVERSACIÓN EN DOI: https://doi.org/10.25145/j.recaesin.2019.78.12DOI: Ana María Fraile-Marcos María Ana University of Salamanca University INTERVIEW , 78; April 2019,, 78; April pp. 173-188; e-2530-8335 ISSN: Someone Knows My Name Knows Someone Dear Sir, I Intend to Burn Your Book: Burn to Sir, I Intend Dear competition and Radio-Canada’s competition Radio-Canada’s and , making Hill the first writerever first the Hill , making (1996), memoir the

(1993), (1993), – won the The Deser The Women Women

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REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 173 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 174 I am also grateful to Lidia Cuadrado-Payeras for her help with the transcription of this interview. of this transcription the with help her for Cuadrado-Payeras Lidia to grateful also I am USAL. at Department English of the and FFI2015-63895-C2-2-R) (MINECO/FECYT, Resilience” of “Narratives project research of the support the without possible been not have would interview watch?v=7xAqi9TCaPk https://www.youtube.com/ at accessed 2017) be 28, (Feb. can issues” refugee international with of Negroes Ana María Fraile-Marcos María Ana days. consecutive two author in for second time the award-winning the tion with Enzina Juan del theatre at the gathered Lawrence Hill 1 writer and to work writer and a to as live my in brain and it my Ihad way for in heart if awhole and life this live truly Icould but my Ifelt whether talent, discover that to discover –not much to so discover it of to experiment, was ayear it So my was life. this make Icould felt that Istill one day, year day, after all if every see and to but publish yet, Iwould spend writing Itold one that entire year myself day, Iwasn’t day. that to Iwrote all write. Iwrote every time Iknew ready a it But months, here and was Istayed for three south intother Andalusia. it months Imoved for got until then too cold stayed afew fur and and Canalejas, Paseo in or aweek apartment Irented of so travel, and an after Salamanca to came and we wife– –my first my wife I moved with to Spain my quit job and Ileft my –I and job– Ottawa, in forliament anewspaper Par Canadian and correspondent Canada Supreme in the covering Court for reporter Winnipeg the anewspaper was Free Press about itI should do before something Igot too old, Iquit so and my job. I old 1985, that in and getting old, I was I worried that 27 years when I was here my experiences and for Salamanca As appreciated Spain. and stood in under to read, be opportunity the writers It Canadian Studies. gives English of Department youview. have this that It’s Canada in for us wonderful played your to vocation become awriter? in has Salamanca that about part the noteversation on by apersonal talking con this you, start perhaps, Could author Yann Martel. ofplace Canadian birth- the also is who have found here. inspiration Incidentally, Salamanca Torrente Volpi, Jorge Ballester, Luis others– many among Antonio Colinas, Gonzalo Gaite, Martín to Unamuno, Góngora, and Carmen de Medrano, Teresa Galindo, Nebrija, de Beatriz Jesús, de Fray León, Lucía vantes, Luis count plethora you Cer de the Fernando ofRojas, –from among writers to like andI’d Salamanca, to links ago. years Youhave sixty-five particular discipline Education aHigher as Spain in English establishing University in out we set a momentous to pioneer as celebrate for the us, year role of our 2017 our We’reinaugurate Series. Speaker Guest is honoured. This truly ” (Feb. 27, 2017), “ and

The Book Book in The History and of Fiction Merging The “Faction: lectures Hill’s Lawrence : Sure, and thank you for inviting me to Salamanca and to the inter to the and you me to for Salamanca inviting thank and : Sure, and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RssEF483lKw and : First of all, Larry, I’d like to thank you for accepting to you for accepting to thank like I’d Larry, of: First all, as writer. So it was a year of discovery for me: adisco of discovery writer. ayear as it So was The Illegal : Creating imaginary nations to engage fictionally fictionally to engage nations imaginary : Creating , eager to listen to and engage in conversa in engage to and to listen , eager . I was a parliamentary aparliamentary . Iwas , respectively. This This , respectively. 1 ------AF AF LH AF LH LH : : : : : : Yes!

come here but it was worth doing, and I was very happy here. very Iwas come here and doing, but worth it was awriter, to quit job to arisk as agood it so and alife and was to make hard It’s of anything. very my no job to guarantees move just and with to Spain of 27. age at the formally to a big quit It Ibegan risk was that life writing of movement the into beginning a the but also country and city wonderful represent Spain not and a just so, for And me Salamanca heart. creative of my own adiscovery but also language, of Spanish the and of Spain very Thank you! Thank Welcome back! inflected your views about race, forexample? about race, views your inflected legend”.have periods at Would different Spain in your travels you say that “black War, Civil of contributing Spanish to them the tion, Spanish the all Inquisi Spanish the Peninsula, of Iberian Reconquest the Christian the as ofStuff Life The Blood: Lectures, Now,[laughs] from Massey your CBC resulted book that the in understanding of history that human beings are equating blood and race, blood race, and equating are beings human that of history understanding but it’s beings, aboutin time my human first the way of thinking frightful truly who were to determine meant sangre de limpieza of la rules these still tions, you forif were genera tempted your origins hid and to become aCatholic stolen to you pass, have if your property tried from even you, and or killed, or or deported tortured would have to burnt and stake be at the or Jewish Arabic you were truly whether or be a whether could you Spaniard finding way of this created of even II Aragon] Ferdinand and I of Castille Isabella Católicos Inquisition Reyes los Spanish the during that of blood– Idiscovered –cleanliness sangre de limpieza of la rules about the reading In about equation of the blood race. and reading start Inquisitionwe first which in Spanish the than earlier instance found any I’m Although not I’veI’m of sure, this. origin the interested in never very types. except for bloodyours, our than my blood no ridiculous: is different is of blood, the which part being as about race how and we think race, about of how origins we think the to investigate Itried So blood race. and we notions have incorporated government of rules, formal various in tion– to blood dona regard with policies our in –even policies social our in guage, do welan falsely, ways Andin what fictitiously, our and blood. equaterace in is essayist an as anovelist and as about race, writing interested me in that people. One of things between the order in to hierarchies create constructed on people hierarchy it’s and social completely to science. It’s unrelated only construction, it’s way a a imposing of I’m artificial as an is race concerned, far As artist. an as about for decades I’ve about writing and reading been butI’m of it’s race matters in not that expert asociologist or an something so anovelist, Iam that by saying Ishould to perceived. begin be race stand and underhow I race of views andinfluenced my Yes, have affected they of concern yours? acentral is –which had Spanish blood and who did not. And it’s not. blood who did and And utterly Spanish and had aridiculous , there are frequent references to historical events such such events frequent are , there to references historical [the of Spain, Monarchs Catholic - - - - -

REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 175 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 176 dian identity is “a statement of claim against the land and territory of Mi’kma’ki” (Madden 100). (Madden of Mi’kma’ki” territory and land the against of claim “a is statement identity dian to define or categorize” (Clarke, Odysseys 13). (Clarke, categorize” or define to blackness, aboriginal an create to enough influences their –nationalized– domesticated have literature and culture “African-Canadian that arguing Maritimes, the in of blacks resilience and adaptation, miscegenation, oppression, discrimination, colonization, LH AF : :

about his specific case because I don’tbecause case know exactly. specific that about aboutmuch his Ican’t so claim, identity, talk Indigenous Iwasn’t particular of that aware claimed had Clarke Elliott Well,Sure. George that Ididn’t specifically know culture. the over to need de-colonize the rent Canada in debates cur the complicates and charged politically is Black Aboriginal mixed-race 3 2 continue today.important issues be to These refugees. ving to recei should more be regards Spain generous with that to argue trying and “No people activists Basically, illegal.” person being as is such lines with and into country in the more here refugees favour of in letting streets the in people Isaw demonstrating Salamanca in Just yesterday countries. our identity continue to of present be of we’re both racial in issues too– facing that –issues refugees or Middle-Eastern or other African refugees African Roma people North- the to to or do do it with with whether has has that other country, whether and every in and Canada do in they as just today Spain in identity continue and of to pervade race issues of course, And of it, to that’sme. so interesting very I found instance that’s first because the Spain Medieval happened to in be in, or in,so housed your blood. lodged is That is just your race saying and claim his own indigeneity? own his claim 402) “‘Indigenous (Clarke, Blacks’” and culture” African-American with centrality of the notion of a culturally hegemonic whiteness of notion the of aculturally centrality attention to the draws Coleman of society. Daniel If facets all in ingrained of notion the of race pervasiveness the and Canada up in growing while identity of racial denial paradoxical the perspective autobiographical an from you explore in Canada White and Black Juice: Being On Sweet Berry, identity bit for alittle longer. racial and of your book Black In race lyses The Illegal novel, latest your aminute in when we discuss to that get we’ll and are, they Certainly, Clarke now uses his term “Africadian” term his now uses Clarke that you aware Are illustrates. ancestry ofClarke’s Indigenous recent claim more Elliott enters George equation, complicated the when as mixed-race identity, and about ethos Canada’ssite become collective which to think important an continues being subjectivity Mixed-race construct. a social notionsis and fixed of howrace proving identity subjectivity, destabilizing question border of the the your book identity situates in zone of mixed-race Canadianness, wouldideal support aspecific that canon ofgence aliterary

In the ensuing controversy, Paula C. Madden contends that Clarke’s espousal of Africa espousal Clarke’s that contends Madden C. Paula controversy, ensuing the In Clarke coined the term “Africadian” to denote the particular historical experience of experience historical particular the denote to “Africadian” term the coined Clarke . But before we do so, I’d like to dwell on. But to dwell your ana before we like do so, I’d 3 The embodied identity that Clarke claims as a claims Clarke that identity The embodied even if this mode of being remains difficult difficult remains of being mode this if even 2 to denote “a who identifies Métis in the emer the in - - - - - raised about the nature of his Indigenous identity. For more on this, see Eric Andrew-Gee. Eric see identity. For more on this, Indigenous of his nature the about raised 2016 However, in 2005. in were Road doubts Day Three novel debut of his publication the after tory AF LH : : NAACP, the National Association forof Advancement Colored the NAACP, Peo Association National the thechapterthethe of of head who was a woman Washington Therewas don’t,ple they it, sometimes believe you’re sometimes exposed... peo sometimes your identity: it change and way. fake you can Sometimes acertain in identities aperformance identity is and individual and tities don’t iden belong.” collective are there so and that’s So interesting, very told, being “no, in feel person might that you that pain the novelist is and emotionally, essayist one and an ofmore my as preoccupations damaging moments It’s to time. from time of racism encountering unexpected that away, in emotionally for people that’s Ithink, and more painful painful do notextraordinarily they belong.is group That that cultural that within whether it’sculture, toldbeing aspecific is Indigenous with or Black, tify when aperson is, who’s things to iden attempting One of most painful the ture. cul in is black it than culture Indigenous in different is clearly that blish way that’s to esta the and something considered to valid, be establishing 4 constructed. are andIndigenous identities howBlack controversy is unfold differently Joseph the I’ve Boyden watching about while thought often of things the One thing. a such so I claim would ways, never different very in them blish esta and to onehas ways, different very in constructed identitiesBlack are identity? No, that but I doently and not. yes, Indigenous do I mean, I claim Appar ancestor? ablack who married ancestor indigenous Did Ihave an it. Ido not, identity: Iwould never claim Indigenous and Ihave an that It Idon’t wouldit preposterous be for because claim. me to say that make ancestor, Ihaven’t indigenous and a public Ihave this interview, that said you’renever I think have claimed... personto, I’vein this first the eversaid on side, my but tree, grandparents’ I my family person in own indigenous an also but I’m was there told that my by my and grandparents also father statement. my family, In I’m own toldthis don’t –I also factually– this know people. making black is genous George and So, it’s that asurprise hardly indi don’t between alot of mixing also Canadians know, was there that is that most something but black, white specifically, and between of course and peoples too, indigenous white and between of amount mixing agreat was people. indigenous There and black between of amount mixing agreat was United the there and States of Canada It’s history the in that known well at present. ongoing Canada in debates social and political aproductive zone contact for cultural, as the works subjectivity how mixed-race toWell, illustrate example an just it was

Joseph Boyden became arguably the most celebrated Indigenous author in Canadian his Canadian in author Indigenous celebrated most the arguably became Boyden Joseph 4 You it’s and performance, active know, active an an identity is ------

REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 177 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 178 AF : interesting thing and a very fraught thing. So it’s So thing. fraught a big a very question you’ve and thing interesting asked. do itery, they for economic other advancement... times avery is “passing” slav in Holocaust, the do during it lives, they to save their Sometimes ful. ties,” move and they’re into identities, sometimes success altered and very or couldn’t identi People become black? “false let’s create, them often call out of love for her stepfather, she couldn’t we to who so say that are and be to do wanted this child the and to do wanted this, child the that interesting peopleing you’re black,” youris stepfather because but black I found it very black,” is her her and mother to “No, tell had Larry you can’t tell around go her mother,my white, wife, “I’m also who is bit because alittle right, black, about when or four say she for five she’d to was awhile, and ancestry, Jewish she’s and three, into when has seventeen, my she whiteis and was life came my stepdaughter, that who by saying Ican meditation if little end that I’ll race. their way otherto people the define ways, emotional very sometimes but ways, people different respond very in 2014 around sometime was Dolezal or 2015. It’s complicated issue, avery it’s course, was Of this time too,1961 this. adifferent doRachel with and to something gender the has her in situation, Ithink so and faced Dolezal 1960’sthe Rachel vitriol that the United nobody the and expressed in States, best-seller,a massive one of sensations of most monumental the publishing Thebookwas to do this? ability his Well,of time. challenge anybody did forshortperiod a color artificially he’sskin his because to black, be changed it what means to America He’s to black. be meant explaining awhite man, it what to America to trouble explain person States to in ablack be the in color pretend he so could skin his to change treatments of medical a series underwent who of Howard Griffin name by the by aTexaswritten journalist Like about Me (1961), Black you If think was. anon-fiction was book which sheas firmly as nearly Some have not men and criticized have done been this it’s awoman. she was I think because Partly, hostile. so negative, so was why response interested in the very was I and organization, this in activist an she as did that relation good to the in to exaggerated she seemed be did that bad the that excessive, sion was deri the and ridicule it the derision. to seemed and me And that ridicule away, incrediblein of amount her, an met with exposed she and was and she’s lying,” her brought parents her to public attention her, unveiled and Her outed parents black. her,she was “we’re her said, parents white, both tion, white people NAACP, involved the many are with but that she said organiza activist a white person chapter can’t of this of head alocal the be white. There’s she was not that she black, was upwhy that no reason came it Dolezal– Rachel was –her name ago years afew ple and Washington in vs. freely adopting and performing a given identity that may differ from differ may agiven identity that performing and adopting freely vs. fromto or arace belonging identities descending conveyed by biologically fixed and essentializing to the Or descent/dissent,onyms consenting right? hom me the of dichotomy the of reminds Yes, thought between your train ------LH : an MFA programme and it does not help their creative process. It takes a it It not and MFA does takes process. help creative an programme their – Writing?tive Absolutely it it not. doesn’tDoes help? Sometimes Sometimes. Crea to study it Is necessary there’s taught. be can Ithink muchyes, that to so write, start don’t writers but young they many until that understand significant, very are that like things why?” So and reason the be will what narrator, over supplant first and well, the somebody to going if take is and or, it’s “Whether onewho’s personunderstand or five, story, your telling “By way, the it,” with adecision stick who’s and Make your story? telling it’sso it’s and revolutionary for writer to told, ayoung be of sort life-altering of they’re conscious without what points of being view ally, doing, between slip accidentally, unintentionof points view, of view, they’ll or several and to have apoint has story notion: every that elementary avery understand will not they fifteen, they’re or whether time fifty to for write first the ting point oflating view... writer, a young whostar Often is or age a writer any manipu as elementary as Things taught. be can deal agreat Ithink yes, So or not to decide to young, so do, say, a Master’s Writing. Creative in degree people, young many lead that concerns artistic as well as concerns business are there so for you harder be to market, enter it publishing the will tacts, you if don’t that is today America anybody, know you if don’t con have any North in of publishing reality unfortunately, the contacts... And social and business, and nique –there’s contacts and much so technique– to do with but tech taught, be I’m can genius taught. be creative that notcan saying it course Of taught?” be this “well, can like questions how ourselves we ask from Some other more writers. learn experienced also can writers idea that to the resistant we are masters, from their learn will apainter that we accept somehow, and masters, from their techniques although certain togoing learn is masters, from their to going learn is to become great who wants a painter studios... Idon’t their person in would dispute that time rational any think spending other artists, with time spending be most certainly but she will she perhaps won’t– environment she will, formally, –perhaps auniversity in painter, she’s She not may it painting. study probably to studying going be professional accomplished she’s if ahighly and be good, very to going truly complete in cum, isolation Probably, to other painters? she’s if to going be avac in apainter as painter,professional she to is going develop her skills to become a who wants year-old, woman young atwenty-two-year-old, Well, it’s about apainter, a complicated aseventeen- question. we think If writing? creative a profession, about teaching your thoughts but are what It become may taught? be writing a writer? Can your view,In makes what them. among Writing Creative University in of Salamanca –the ter degrees toMas offer butties it’s beginning are universities Spanish only now that universi versity. commonNorth-American in are Writing Creative courses You’ve appointed recently been Professor of Writing Creative at Guelph Uni notionsabout fixed race. away of disturbing also is “dissent” and onethe one phonetics born the into. of words is “descent” the with Playing sometimes a creative writer is emotionally damaged in the course of doing course the in damaged emotionally writer is acreative sometimes ------

REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 179 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 180 AF LH : : developing a professional network that you can use to launch your career. to launch use you can developing that network aprofessional in but abilities also not helpful, developing in just your artistic very be can of person who’s type the versus to not, thrive of but person likely who is it of type Ihave developed the asense Writing and aCreative in programme to going thrive is of competitiona sense Not students. among everybody there’s criticised...be to Maybe assessed, of be to confidence kind certain passion and gusto, to convince somebody who was hard to convince. It was It to convince. was hard somebody to convince who gusto, was and passion with writing abit Iwas seems funny, way to but because write agreat it was aboy. as Iwanted self-improvement It things material [laughs], the to get of instrument an as about passionate writing Ibecame so to have things, Ideserved that man this of passion, act persuading an was writing the so out to or to letters, write shoes stay permission Ihad later at night. running of or apair cat a pet like I wanted, things to activity, get itclassroom was It excited it so about me wasn’t very writing. letters, made good asterile Iwrote if I wanted Igot to things have the sionate because about writing pas fled. made me to father they very my letters Writing that countries the in faced parents their that racial– –or of economic any the insecurities face won’t they so engineers and lawyers to doctors and be children their want they to professionals, be Canada in children their want they and succeed not may children their worried that are immigrants and immigrant, an was My Iwanted. father for tothings to my letters the write letters Ihad parents: by quite writing early form, Istarted of developing art the for skill the As to write. time the worknomic the in front commitments to take and to say “no” and to eco have families, they if families, of their care to take findother and ways for men,saytime to to find is “no”families, their to more even perhaps for obstacles, one women that of greatest that the believe about Ido howso they’re to while live so, have to writers think writing, amountAndtiny for a it. earn and bookon a spendyou five might years work, but or you’re if nothing, or almost nothing awriter you earn may you’re you’re while aliving adoctor you’ll earn or driver abus doing your If years. many not for first you the don’t or usually, certainly aliving earn know,also, youand if you’re success itwriter would afinancial be that tee a my no job, –quit guaran with live on my associated savings are that risks economic the all with time the to taking committing was obstacles biggest one So of the Canada. to in write time to take also to and write time each years for two to Spain to come lucky over twice very to Iwas write. time the taking and schedule your clearing is ones one of most significant the think and I with writers havethat deal to issues all are These time? the find you’re have ajob and too, when do children you three mother ayoung with if or you if have children, a living, to make you’reif trying working, busy or Economics–, if you’re thing studying ficult was –I student university a that’s and adif skills to develop writing the it takes that time to the ting commitand time, one of was finding obstacle base the Well, that Iguess thatfaced? you or difficulties obstacles main were the awriter? What as So, about what beginnings your own Right. - - - - - AF AF LH LH : : : : me become a more relaxed writer,me it become amore speed, helps relaxed to with you write relax. helped they and funny lively and were very letters the and when Itravelled no Internet, to I’mletters write was I used so –there lucky– very travelling Iwrote alot when Iwas to of also, friends letters And technique. a good a hard thing to learn. thing a hard of self-criticism, free that’s be and heart, your own in –comfortable fortable com be and to relax learning time the spending just so and have to relax, but work you hard of later, the rewriting then and do all to and come back You to well, write relax. and have to relax it rip,” chances afew take and sentence, to you let it have to Isay, every to, go, learn in and as perfect “let and Yes, you and can’t you’re humour if careful that to get very be trying situations... dire portraying when even you’re your novels essays, in interspersed Yes, and also humour is The Book of Negroes The in two-dimensional pretty Iwrote who was that acter show some and them dimensionality. to You life them know, there’s achar but bring characters and your not ridicule of howtrace humanity to a find ple you you have don’t some who do despicable things: characters even like, people. the job to Even the emphasise is of and novelists peo achallenge, is andhave two be developed, to there’sit’sheart The the but difficult, heart. for me... tools, and are there challenge I mean: biggest the by far say that Iwould So my imagination. to capture fail they or because move my heart don’t but they of sentence terms ten in structure, move me, me, or engage novels they’re Iread and Often splendidly of writ writing. true be can same the have? Ithink painting toyou show, the have nothing will value what but your paintbrush with it’s you skills if have great apainter: of like kind Again, imagination. the and on heart the draw and playful to creative, be into to seeping have your work, colour,and and to have idiosyncrasies and personal, is be to guess, I challenge, The imagination. and of heart challenge the for novelist is the challenge greatest the by far Ithink cient paragraph. sentence effi how or to an aclean write learn you surely can writing, tising you’ve sentence. if Imean, aclean Nor writing prac is been how to research. learn education can abasic person who any has Imean, hard. very not really is Ilove that research to do whenwell, even it’ssomething guess, I difficult. I’m to do that fortunate myself to remind choice,or Ido very so like little don’t they that have no matter, choice the they in and do love things at all it’sto and write my to have alove. love such lucky people Ifeel and Many it’s me it’s write, I’ve what nobody to chosen making do and is my choice it, in pleasure great Well, Itake hard, is you know, writing though even setting? ahistorical involves recreating that the research or theis structure, or it the right tone thecharacter; for finding more or it is trouble construction, make for that you? it Is character writing into elements it. the of How are your what do you approach your writing, alot and put of time revising and rewriting and writing itnaturally, means it doesn’t involves because ing lots of it’s work, that come of painful kind you’ve writ about hardships, that Talking occasions mentioned several in ------,

REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 181 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 182 AF LH : : a lot of heart, so I would say that the biggest challenge is that of heart. the that is challenge biggest the Iwould so say that a lot of heart, takes that and doing ones terrible who the ones even are you things, detest, the even son for to your characters, you anovelist: have to something give actor. that’s les an good And to work as avery felt with something he had slave owner.” he more script the that so in something to him give Ihad So into my role amonster some bring humanity as Ican so megive something to say, “give to work me with,” something “I’m character, like this playing thing abrilliant it Ithought was to work here!” And me with something novel, the in “Come looked on, said: at give me and Larry, character sional Robinson Appleby, playing actor two-dimen who the was fairly this Africa, Souththe in book to film time when it and came protagonist, the nata, Robinson Appleby,Ami was slave name owner of first his the he was and entirely in India, and he’s been hugely successful in Canada. Austin Clarke Clarke Austin Canada. in he’s and India, entirely in hugely successful been Irecall, as they’re far novels at as all, set, don’this Canada in place take Canada, in He’s immigrant India. in set novels Indian are his an and try War. Rohinton Mis a fellow named is Onewriters of most respected our Blues Half-Blood Edugyan’s novel, Esi prize, won Giller which the side Canada. out peoples who and are places examine writers Canadian respected and in And to go Cameroon. they Canada, Winnipeg, in of novel the rest set the is although so novel, and tothe go Cameroon they Thing Great Some in but even Ishould that, add evolution a more novels four perspective, more towards those and in global worldthe my Idon’t in works. about the your observation with disagree movement there’s that agradual true, more been more very and is out into what you’re yes, case, That’s In question. my interesting own a saying very atopic urgency. of huge global asylum-seekers, and of on refugees issue the focus and altogether soil Canadian the aside more and The recently Illegal triangle, slave trade Atlantic of Black the its drawing with Book of toNegroes The then der and bor US-Canadian the across mostly and history in forth and back focus 1970’s, early the in Winnipeg Blood to Any Known in based mostly is which Thing perception? Great For from Some example, of your novels a such corroborates analysis achronological you say that Would of this. aware have been times of writers all nation, Canadian nial acolo as that, Itend to think –although global the and local the of both intertwining the or with global the to with a concern settings, and matters local and on nationalism focus 1970s from the the since ture shift the is litera Canadian in place developments have taken various the that Among Negroes outintotheBook of world further The with finally then and lives, their in for of for amomentous time, short periods event to going Africa are and Americas the leaving who are novels characters you earlier havethe these novel. but the in in even short scene relatively So important for an seas the he so moves and across to Mali– goes –he to Africa goes character main the , is set in Germany and France before, during and after the II World II the after and before, during France and Germany in set , is The The Illegal and . But I would say that some of the most successful some. But Iwould of most successful say that the , all the main characters in in characters main the , all , with its trans-Canadian its trans-Canadian , with , which chooses to leave chooses , which Any Known Blood Any Known ------, AF AF LH LH : : : : other countries. other in more stories set with universally, encountering themselves in satisfying and and special rich something finding are Canadians and to Canadians, interesting something that’s, so novels Ithink, outside their Canada, ting alot of attention,today, set getting are who writers are young including Huron, in ble set her writers writer and stories are Ontario, many but very capa she’s and wonnationally, Nobel the Prize, astoundingly having an Huron, in set is she’s Ontario, and probably writer inter most our respected It’s Munro, literature. whose work much enjoy, Ivery Alice true Canadian of canon to outside abroad write and of traditional the further and ther fur to reach or 20 years, 30 last the in especially writers, Canadian cessful it’s so some and common works, forto suc situate at their very least really Dionne youand away ventured know,from Brand, Canada often have also creative non-fiction writers reflect the make-up country.the of non-fiction the creative writers reflect and poets and of novelists interests the Ithink yes, So other places. in ning happe things with concerned mostly is which novel, successful, very rary we have acontempo again there And China. but in set mostly China, and Vancouverin Canada between too, it’s so connections examines anovel that bit side a little and national to the China, in Massacre Square Tiananmen Have Nothing wonThien. Madeleinewas by Her Not Wenovel Do Say Canada, in fiction for prize most prestigious the is which Prize, of Giller the winner last the world. the peoples around I should and events say that interested in so is ing Absolutely, writ that’s for it us and does why one Canadian of reasons the world the interest in outside its borders? Canadians’ increased has Would Canada’s you multiculturalism say that self-conscious stay home and write your own novels, which is what Ido, what home is novels,stay but your own write which and when your but Idon’t about. you control, that’s If to want worry just something think way, own your work there’s their with in of course yes, and of aloss control to work who wish by other artists to recognised be no honour greater than it or it toFor adapt to to translate film. me wants it’s great honour. a There’s I’ve what who doneand –hopefully– loves or afilmmaker it atranslator be approached of idea I’m by the being and by other artist, media, thrilled or other other countries in or viewers television readers to reach tunities I’m oppor wonderful I’m control losing that but Iprefer gaining to think positive say person. Icould Sure, to asentimentally be Iwant ofFirst all, controllosing of your work? you’re do you that feel mutation transculturation? perhaps, somehow and, of genre processes you these envision during challenges main the are what thescreen, adapted to or languages, different into several translated being your novels are As adaptation. and about work the ofyour views translation I think as series, intoadapted a TV Colomé. also It López was Pura poet renowned by the Mexican negros los de mayor libro El as into Spanish translated been just has of Negroes Book reception, The international and to your work back itsGoing national and is set during the Cultural Revolution in China, during the the during Revolution China, in Cultural the during set is The The Illegal will be, too? I’d like to know to know like too? be, I’d will ------

REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 183 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 184 AF LH : : her life, maybe for about one fifth she’s of forlife her about maybe her one life, fifth butenslaved, she’s girl a who in happened from of ashort awoman to period enslaved be time was wasn’t identity, her aslave in Aminata she primary being. possible human aperson a to see allow of slave, and sort covers the that mask this to shatter don’t you don’t a face, see you don’t eyes, see looking I was a voice. And hear of aperson but bound, you you think wrist, the around of shackles think They’rechains. Youin person skill... faceless a just no lovers, no particular no hands, no face, aperson who of has aslave as slavery, think we generally about and slaves think Canada in when we collectively for Canadians– speak tor will find that nobody else saw. that nobodyelse find tor will transla the that There’s happens. things Itfive catch. always always or ten you didn’t that you make that mistakes correct can translator the So great. it’s So see. will abit nobody But translator saw! which the too, humbling it’s say, and come along tor will “By 61,” way, on the page you amistake made atransla then and it’s then and language, maternal published your own in times, andhaveit ten might you rewritten times five edited havemay been editors. Your more even than book showlators, you they mistakes, your own honour, I’ve often and I’ve felt too. that Trans a lot learnt from translators, an compliment about agreat as it and as think rather I’d place. a negative me to don’t it’d ofloss just take control as such because about issues think So,another interpretationit theno, a medium. in book offers just new I of thefrombook, away doesn’tanything film the so and there, be take always book will way too people –the reach that Ican book, and the read go then and a film see somebody will people Sometimes, otherto formats. reach in but also it’s by that other artists, Ifeel with and honour to engaged areal be terrible happen, more something butcomplain had I’ve fortunate very been Imight perhaps and that’s I’ve Maybe tive. experiences, good because had is posientirely adaptations film the and about translation attitude general way. about your own in it it youif and so, care enters my your heart, And way to you, especially it so about book, acertain and the belongs in thinking in is mine as valid fully as book is the reading in your experience mine, as you’rebook enters your hands, reader. the away, In it’s much your book as work enters world, the there’s lots to of lose control. ways when my Imean, unfortunately, in the 21 the unfortunately, in to avoice give to and people notfaceless, heard, whose voices are often to people generally novels]. toprevious aface who give are was desire the And [to desire my in approach. that Emotionally, asimilar was there technical of the speak also approach, of emotional Ican the and Well, speak I can liquid modernity? present and neoliberal imbalances of historical consequences and risks the about aparable as anovel functions of that writing about challenges the Freedom of and Zantoroland you countries State. talk Could imaginary on the reality global current polarized politically and economically our ject to pro perspective you The historical Illegal leave the aside in novels, vious to your pre central are migrant the and the refugee of figures the Although st century, say –I won’t speak for Spaniards, but I’ll won’t century, say –I but I’ll for Spaniards, speak ------Book of Negroes Book The sound. bit the in alittle and biblical would deeply be personal that into background, the would fall that would not reading, the interfere with that for atone tone, looking biblical of Iwas language almost sedate, quiet, Negroes of Book The wereall, completely techniques of different. First But writing the ignored and denied. been has to someone whose humanity to humanity give books: both in similar was desire emotional the so and of countries, our and of hearts our it to shut easier out them makes humanity their Not todaughters. imagine possibly mothers or own our about as them not and think out of hearts our just to shut is people these thing humanity. It’s easiest the so And frightening. it’s that hands, own to their recognize in hard lives their taking sea, the in of them, drowning some and of them, Sea thousands Mediterranean the Turkey in living or or crossing Lebanon of refugees of millions we think today, ignored. And be might when to aperson whose humanity humanity to show to a aperson give home, and to try of but asense dislocation, always to another, tocountry show of adaptation, asense to show of of loss asense fromsomein different onerespect– or –not involuntarily that voluntarily to show either situation aperson too; was need so, moving, emotional and the difficult contemporary and record historical difficult its own respects many record, in but denies rights which on pridesits itself human which Canada, as such acountry in even caught, if or or hated imprisoned, incarcerated one without vilified who be would papers often refugee, undocumented an but to to not arefugee just of toregister. humanity asense give Iwanted The The in Illegal and Book of Negroes, The in authentic or accurate to starkly be the need But anyway, I satisfied process. creative the interfere with it can sometimes to need authentic. be the I think with I have aquarrel because and “authentically.” quotes “specifically” write those between words use I any obligation toridof to myself places novel the fictional Iset so in and of aperson, it to responded just more be as topart my needs playful, own way. a different in write thought, I else,” “now want to I something do so of voice the in of austerity enough the had I’d to moreneeded be playful. tone.thoughtwriting I I fiction historical austere the and obligations of moments. out in bust to of kind Iwanted the satirical irreverent and bit and over-the-top, funny and to playful be Iwanted abit outrageous. a abit deliberately sometimes and it’s and hysterical, erupts, playful very thatof view. loud, It’s confidentnarrative rambunctious, rockish, a very The with Illegal voice. Whereas narrative meditative, that most slaves don’t most slaves that in I wanted, And get. that’s since something a voice, and especially to her give wanted a personality traveler of world; the she’sa grand she’s things, not I many aslave, just and forth, literate so and highly aperson who becomes languages, many learns a lover and a person who and a a midwife mother and and a woman and and I needed, emotionally, I needed, and person,Book of myself, to as Negroes The is narrated in one in person’s narrated is point for of a view. looking Iwas , the Book of Exodus... I really was thinking about aquiet, thinking was of Book , the Exodus... Ireally The The Illegal I had multiple Ihad points , the same emotional emotional same , the

REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 185 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 186 AF AF LH LH : : : : a country –two countries. –two a country away, in allegory, to create an to and just invent was way to playful be best let’s realities, say Canada’spolitical or United the States’, I felt so and the to invent wanted I just aworldsocio- not by and specific to limited be time, the best way to do that seemed to to seemed be invent way to do that best countries. the time, democracy, on predicated notions xenophobia, of and hate tary at the and agovernment, to anovel had write Iwanted amajornities. that parliamen commu their destroy and refugees deport and to promising catch elected whose government been had a campaign had that acountry Iwanted and of Front equivalent the the or Nationale, now, Trump, Donald of course, say, countries, elected had but that to imagine Iwanted now– or Canada, to there we be seem momentthat United the –unfortunately in yet States aworld xenophobicing with amok we weren’t and at hatred, particularly imagin about adystopia. Iwas writing Iwas also, my and preoccupations would reflect competent that to countries two create understand and know I’ve that come to from things of sort just too. borrowing So, Iwas tries, coun novel, African United of that the various and in and States of Canada bit alittle certainly bit bit alittle of alittle France, of Africa, South tralia, world, on the going around there’s bit alittle actually of Aus of things the they’re mean, but –I for Ithought real, meOh, to borrow yeah from some of recognizable... kind nevertheless are Which court records, to examine the newspapers, to really talk about it more in talk to really newspapers, the to examine records, court the happened; to what examine man, black of this life the threatened and 1930’s, early the Ontario, in Oakville, 1930, or around called city to this came Klan Klux happened Ku whena long the essay, about actually what in pages or forty it for thirty examine to to come it back really like and I’d noveland I felt Iwasn’t scene, that with depictedhow I’d terribly satisfied Iwrote the after happened, and actually thing very when Ontario this in momenthistory a real in reflected actually scene that And white woman. a who’s –who’sman to Ishould marry say– to promising marry planning, of ablack life the threaten they and across to comes burn Klan Klux Ku my in novelfor example, essay. it an in I’ve examine times, and done come many back that I’ll then a novel in and something write I will for sometimes me; better and is essay non-fiction write and I spendan in moretime than it; but better sometimes non-fiction: than isn’t,it is it not moreit’simportant, seem to I do just it what’sis it’s to my heart, closest –I’m what it’s not saying more important fiction,which by writing best at that tity... get Ican Ifeel sometimes So iden collective and of identity,to issues individual migration, belonging, it’s whether of things, non-fiction back or keep fiction,seemcoming to I sorts same the examine all they ways, several Well, in books, the I mean, vice-versa? and in fiction cannot that you non-fiction the writing through to express thatand isWhat you need non-fiction. it writeessays fiction, also but you in concerns and context You’re contemporary the about capturing talking there was a scene in which the the which in a scene was there Blood Any Known ------AF AF LH AF LH LH : : : : : : jects in my essays, and just examined them in a more intellectual way. amore in them intellectual examined just and my in essays, jects have to move more sub quickly, same to the but Ihave returned sometimes novel, the In into it it you dig peel back. and really and to something back youdepth, can’t which to come Iwant novel.sometimes so the do in And Canada for about ayear, 1942-1943. in Canada Northern in highway the who South were Deep frombuilding the ricans Ame that’s So big the project, America. to about write African North the in history Black understand of breadth how the we can enriches that story World II the were.in It’s they as War, interesting segregated avery racially Canada in highway this of people black were building thousands that story the know no Canadians almost maybe that’s unknown, history fairly dian United the It’s and States. of Cana Black Canada aspect about an between border the peoples across movement the is my which interest, of African it so into of sort fits Canada, Northern in war the during highway this built soldiers American of African thousands many and summer– the quitoes in mos winter, heat the and in Celsius burning 50 degrees conditions –minus difficult very long, in built kilometers over two-thousand was that highway World during Canada War Northern in a It II. highway was Alaska the long-term, multi-year project of novel to anew write is about building the The that that, nowIllegal writing I’m finally and about for years, thinking been children’s I’d that this So, Ihad story things. new try and challenged, feel and roads take and offorms writing different months. It’s few try and to moveways apleasure different such in the next in that Ihope and to finish novel writing, I’m which fun having children’s It’s I’veSo here Spain. on in that working been allegorical an children’s a in life time my for first novel, the andI’m that. quite enjoying projects. I’m writing creative Well, mention just two writing quickly I’ll bit alittle Would about that? to talk you like question, one ...Maybe last projects. that’s and writing about your future and to dramatize these sort of sort forgotten elements these of history. Black to dramatize and doof not about– us know I we don’t that to to go aplace Ilike Yes, to do that. Ilike about know –most history. So, you’re by obscured have to been attention our that events bringing still Thank you. Thank Larry. youmuch, very it. Thank after ence audi conversation the continue with Hopefully, this for we’ll your lecture. to you. Now,It’s we to need move talking apleasure on, such it’s as time Revised paper accepted for publication: 4 November 2018 4November publication: for accepted paper Revised didn’t know about until the last five of ten years, five didn’tof ten years, last the about know until Reviews sent to author: 1 October 2018 1October author: to sent Reviews is finished. But the But more major, finished. is - - - - -

REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 187 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 78; 2019, PP. 173-188 188 Madden Hill Hill Hill Hill Hill Hill Hill Hill Hill Hill Hill Hill Hill Hill Hill Griffin Coleman Clarke Clarke Andrew-Gee , Lawrence. “ , Lawrence. The Book of Negroes Book in The History and of Fiction Merging The “Faction: , Lawrence. Translated by Translated negros. los de mayor libro El , Lawrence. The Illegal. , Lawrence. (co-written miniseries television withsix-part a directorof Negroes: Book The Cle , Lawrence. ofLife Stuff The Blood: , Lawrence. Burning aBook of Anatomy An Your Book: Burn to IIntend Sir, Dear , Lawrence. the War from Away Who Walked Soldier Ordinary an of Story The Deserter’s Tale: The , Lawrence. The Book of Negroes Book The , Lawrence. Seeking Salvation: A History of the Black Church in Canada in Church Black the of AHistory Salvation: Seeking , Lawrence. Black Berry, Sweet Juice: On Being Black and White in Canada in White and Black Being On Juice: Sweet Berry, Black , Lawrence. 1997. Toronto: Print. Blood. HarperCollins, Known Any , Lawrence. Women of Vision: The Story of the Canadian Negro Women’s Association Women’s Negro Canadian the of Story The Vision: of Women , Lawrence. African-Canadians of Story Triumphs: Trials and The , Lawrence. 1992. Turnstone Print. Press, Winnipeg: Thing. Great Some , Lawrence. Cultivating Canada: Cultivating Canada: Identity?” Irreconcilable An Blacks’: “‘Indigenous Print. Elliott. , George Odysseys Home: Mapping African-Canadian Literature. Toronto: of U Literature. African-Canadian Mapping Home: Odysseys Elliott. , George Exeter: Signet, 1961. Signet, Exeter: Me. Print. Like Black Howard. , John Black Point, Nova Scotia: Fernwood Fernwood Point, Scotia: Nova Black Relations. Nova African Scotian-Mi’kmaw C. , Paula Publishing, 2009. Print. 2009. Publishing, watch?v=RssEF483lKw 2017, April 20 Web < Salamanca, de Universidad Inglesa gía (1952-2017), Filolo de Studies English 65th Departamento Anniversary issues” refugee Salamanca, 20 April 2017, April 20 Web < Salamanca, de Universidad (1952-2017), Inglesa Filología de Studies English Departamento versary Almadía/Secretaría deAlmadía/Secretaría Cultura, 2016. Print. ment Virgo), Conquering Lion Pictures, 2015. Pictures, Lion Print. ment Virgo), Conquering University of Alberta Press, 2013. Press, Print. of Alberta University Iraq in ductions, Print. 2004. Collins Canada, 2001. Print. Canada, Collins Umbrella Press, 1996. Print. Press, Umbrella 1993. Print. Print.2006. and Mike DeGagné. Ottawa: Aboriginal Healing Foundation, 2011. Foundation, Print. 397-406. Healing Aboriginal Ottawa: DeGagné. Mike and Diversity. Cultural of Lens the through Reconciliation Toronto P, 2002. article35881215/ 2018. Web < White Civility: White , Daniel. , Eric. “The Making of Joseph Boyden”, of Joseph Making “The , Eric. , with Joshua Key. Toronto: House of Anansi Press, 2007. Print. Press, Key. Toronto: Joshua , with of Anansi House The Illegal https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/joseph-boyden/ >. New York: New W.W. &Company, 2015. Norton Print. : Creating imaginary nations to engage fictionally with international international with fictionally engage to nations imaginary : Creating >.

The Literary project of English Canada English of project Literary The WORKS CITED WORKS . Toronto: HarperCollins, 2007. Print. . Toronto: HarperCollins, . Toronto: House of Anansi Press, 2013. Press, Print. . Toronto: of Anansi House https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xAqi9TCaPk The Globe & Mail & Mail Globe The Pura López Colomé. Ciudad de México: México: de Ciudad Colomé. López Pura Eds. Ashok Mathur, Jonathan Dewar Dewar Jonathan Mathur, Ashok Eds. . Toronto: Press, Umbrella https://www.youtube.com/ . Toronto: Uof Toronto P, . Toronto: Pro Travesty (4 2017). Aug. 4 April . Toronto: Harper ”, 65th Anni ”, . Edmonton: . Edmonton: . Toronto: >. - - - - -