edited by John Metcalf ~ Oberon Press ~ Review: Halifax Herald, March 2011
“Mavis Gallant said that the one question to ask of a story, a book, a painting or a building is: ‘Is it alive or dead?’ Check this year’s vital signs,” writes John Metcalf in the introduction to Best Canadian Stories 10. Metcalf is right of course. Oberon’s 2010 short story collection speaks for itself. These stories overflow with life and living and once again, Metcalf shows his ability to find the best.
Hold Me Now (Stephen Gauer) tells the story of a father who is given the shocking news that his son has been murdered. As he attempts to make sense of it all, his life becomes linked with that of Curtis, his son’s underage killer. Gauer’s understated tension through the ensuing trial and the events that follow is masterful. Anna (A Small Haunting by Shaena Lambert) begins to think she is quietly going mad when she finds her house is haunted by a small child. And Maude befriends a strange young girl called Kreetch (Daytrip by Patricia Young) who arrives at the library every day after school. The gentle tenderness of Young’s story is the perfect opening to this year’s collection.
Oberon’s commitment to providing a platform for new and emerging short story writers in Canada is laudable, and this year’s collection stands with the best. Bring on Best Canadian Stories 11!
John Metcalf is a well-known Canadian author and editor. He immigrated to Montreal from the UK as a young man. He has been editing this collection for Oberon for many years, in the company of authors such as David Helwig and Joan Harcourt. He lives in Ottawa.
