An Evening With W.O. Mitchell

by Mitchell, W. O.; Mitchell, Barbara; Mitchell, Ormond

• ISBN13: 9780771060885
• ISBN10: 0771060882
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-09-01
• Publisher: McClelland & Stewart Ltd

Summary

If you ever saw one of W.O. Mitchell's public readings you will know why they were described as unforgettable. Unruly white hair flying, fist raised, voice husky or thundering, eyes wide in innocent astonishment at adouble entendreraising a laugh, W.O. Mitchell did not give readings from his work; he performed them. In contrast to the lonely life of the writer, he loved "the immediate thrust of a live audience as it responds to story magic," and the audiences loved him, laughing until they were sore. This wonderful selection of 31 pieces shows his writing at its best, while the in-performance photographs catch some of the charm of the man whose own character was perhaps his finest creation. Some pieces come from his novels, such asWho Has Seen the WindandThe Vanishing Point.We also hear the distinctive voices of both Jake and the Kid. "Melvin Arbuckle's First Course in Shock Therapy" is here, as are "The Day I Sold Lingerie in a Prairie Whore House" and the sad tale of "Santa Comes to Shelby." Old favourites are mixed with many new pieces, some never before published in book form, such as "Stopping Smoking" and "The Day I Caught Syphilis" (at the age of twelve). There are also serious pieces on censorship, and, finally, his inspiring 1996 speech in Winnipeg to the Writers' Union of Canada that moved his audience to tears. This book is a worthy tribute to a wonderful man.

Author Biography

<b>W.O. Mitchell</b>, the only Canadian author recognizable by initials alone, was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan in 1914. Educated at the University of Manitoba, he lived most of his life in Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Alberta, where for many years he was the most renowned resident in High River. He and his wife, Merna, subsequently moved to Calgary. <br><br>During a very varied career Bill Mitchell travelled widely and was everything from a Depression hobo to the fiction editor of <i>Maclean</i>’<i>s</i>. A gifted teacher, he was visiting professor at the University of Windsor for several years, and a creative writing instructor at the Banff Centre for many summers.<br><br>His best-loved book is <i>Who Has Seen the Wind</i>. Since its publication in 1947 it has sold over half a million

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
1. The Day I Spoke for Mister Lincoln	1	(10)
2. How to Fail at Public Speaking	11	(6)
3. Melvin Arbuckle's First Course in Shock Therapy	17	(11)
4. The Day I Sold Lingerie in a Prairie Whore House	28	(7)
5. Old Kacky and the Vanishing Point	35	(9)
6. Saint Sammy's Creation of the World	44	(7)
7. Jake Invents the Jumping Pound	51	(5)
8. Love's Wild Magic	56	(17)
9. Brian's Skates	73	(7)
10. Take One Giant Step	80	(6)
11. Of Tar Paper, Shiplap, and Shingles Made	86	(6)
12. The Shocking Truth About the Undefended Border	92	(12)
13. Take Me to Your Cannibal Chief	104	(13)
14. Hang Your Mink on a Hickory Limb	117	(6)
15. The Day I Caught Syphilis	123	(3)
16. Grandmother MacMurray	126	(7)
17. See the Pattern Forming	133	(6)
18. Interlude at La Guardia	139	(5)
19. The Napoleon Threat	144	(13)
20. Whites Herd Better	157	(13)
21. Santa Comes to Shelby	170	(8)
22. How Do Rabbits Get Started?	178	(4)
23. Aunt Pearl	182	(12)
24. Body Language	194	(6)
25. Stopping Smoking	200	(5)
26. Willie's Contract with Old Cloutie	205	(14)
27. Dear Mr. Manning	219	(5)
28. King Motherwell	224	(14)
29. Never Settle for Anything Less	238	(10)
30. The Wind Wings On	248	(4)
31. "The Poetry of Life"	252