Joan Barfoot
Encyclopedia
Joan Louise Barfoot is a Canadian
novelist. She has published 11 novels, including Luck (2005), which was a nomineee for the 2005 Scotiabank Giller Prize
, and Critical Injuries (2001), which was longlisted for the 2002 Man Booker Prize
. Her latest novel, Exit Lines, was published in 2009.
, Ontario
, and graduated with a degree in English from the University of Western Ontario
in 1969. She worked as a reporter and editor for various newspapers in Ontario including the Windsor Star
, the Toronto Sun
and the London Free Press
. As a child, an experience which had Barfoot start enjoy writing was an encounter in the kitchen. Barfoot and her mother were observing a squirrel running around in the back yard. Barfoot's mother said told Barfoot to tell her the squirrel's story and she'd write it down. After the story was reread aloud to Barfoot by her mother, Barfoot was delighted. She says she doesnt remember the story, but she remembers the delight and power of creating that story.
Another essential even which helped Barfoot go into writing was an essential teacher who told Barfoot she wrote well and she should want to consider some word-related career. Years later, Barfoot is into writing and occasionally teaches creative writing classes however, she isn't fond of them. She believes writing ought to be an entirely private pleasure and a puzzle.
In 1986, her second novel, Dancing in the Dark (1982), became a film of the same name, starring Martha Henry
. It won three Genie Awards, including Best Art Direction, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.Dancing in the Dark is a novel about the relection of a criminally insane woman who is serving time in prison for the murder ofher unfaithful husband. She explains her reasoning for the murder throughout the novel while looking for psychological freedom.
Barfoot's work has been compared internationally with that of Anne Tyler
, Carol Shields
, Margaret Drabble, Fay Weldon
and Margaret Atwood
.
Barfoot's first novel to win an award was Abra. Abra is about a young mothr who abandons her home and her husband and moves to the Canadian Wilderness with her children.
In 1992, she won the Marian Engel Award
, presented each year by the Writers' Trust of Canada
to a female Canadian novelist who is in the middle of her career.
She lives in London
, Ontario.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
novelist. She has published 11 novels, including Luck (2005), which was a nomineee for the 2005 Scotiabank Giller Prize
Scotiabank Giller Prize
The Scotiabank Giller Prize, or Giller Prize, is a literary award given to a Canadian author of a novel or short story collection published in English the previous year, after an annual juried competition between publishers who submit entries...
, and Critical Injuries (2001), which was longlisted for the 2002 Man Booker Prize
Man Booker Prize
The Man Booker Prize for Fiction is a literary prize awarded each year for the best original full-length novel, written in the English language, by a citizen of the Commonwealth of Nations, Ireland, or Zimbabwe. The winner of the Man Booker Prize is generally assured of international renown and...
. Her latest novel, Exit Lines, was published in 2009.
Life and career
Joan Barfoot was born on May 17, 1946 in Owen SoundOwen Sound, Ontario
Owen Sound , the county seat of Grey County, is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, and graduated with a degree in English from the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
in 1969. She worked as a reporter and editor for various newspapers in Ontario including the Windsor Star
Windsor Star
The Windsor Star is the regional newspaper of Windsor, Ontario , and is owned by the Postmedia Network Inc. Since 1923, the publication's main office is located at 167 Ferry Street in the downtown area...
, the Toronto Sun
Toronto Sun
The Toronto Sun is an English-language daily tabloid newspaper published in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is known for its daily Sunshine Girl feature and for what it sees as a populist conservative editorial stance.-History:...
and the London Free Press
London Free Press
The London Free Press is a daily newspaper based in London, Ontario, Canada.The London Free Press began as the Canadian Free Press, founded by William Sutherland in 1847. It first began printing as a weekly newspaper in 1849. In 1852, it was purchased for $500 by Josiah Blackburn, who renamed it...
. As a child, an experience which had Barfoot start enjoy writing was an encounter in the kitchen. Barfoot and her mother were observing a squirrel running around in the back yard. Barfoot's mother said told Barfoot to tell her the squirrel's story and she'd write it down. After the story was reread aloud to Barfoot by her mother, Barfoot was delighted. She says she doesnt remember the story, but she remembers the delight and power of creating that story.
Another essential even which helped Barfoot go into writing was an essential teacher who told Barfoot she wrote well and she should want to consider some word-related career. Years later, Barfoot is into writing and occasionally teaches creative writing classes however, she isn't fond of them. She believes writing ought to be an entirely private pleasure and a puzzle.
In 1986, her second novel, Dancing in the Dark (1982), became a film of the same name, starring Martha Henry
Martha Henry
Martha Henry, is a Canadian stage, film, and television actress, who is best known for her appearances at the Stratford Festival.-Background:...
. It won three Genie Awards, including Best Art Direction, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.Dancing in the Dark is a novel about the relection of a criminally insane woman who is serving time in prison for the murder ofher unfaithful husband. She explains her reasoning for the murder throughout the novel while looking for psychological freedom.
Barfoot's work has been compared internationally with that of Anne Tyler
Anne Tyler
Anne Tyler is an American novelist.Tyler, the eldest of four children, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her father was a chemist and her mother a social worker. Her early childhood was spent in a succession of Quaker communities in the mountains of North Carolina and in Raleigh...
, Carol Shields
Carol Shields
Carol Ann Shields, CC, OM, FRSC, MA was an American-born Canadian author. She is best known for her 1993 novel The Stone Diaries, which won the U.S. Pulitzer Prize for Fiction as well as the Governor General's Award in Canada.-Biography:Shields was born in Oak Park, Illinois...
, Margaret Drabble, Fay Weldon
Fay Weldon
Fay Weldon CBE is an English author, essayist and playwright, whose work has been associated with feminism. In her fiction, Weldon typically portrays contemporary women who find themselves trapped in oppressive situations caused by the patriarchal structure of British society.-Biography:Weldon was...
and Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood
Margaret Eleanor Atwood, is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, and environmental activist. She is among the most-honoured authors of fiction in recent history; she is a winner of the Arthur C...
.
Barfoot's first novel to win an award was Abra. Abra is about a young mothr who abandons her home and her husband and moves to the Canadian Wilderness with her children.
In 1992, she won the Marian Engel Award
Marian Engel Award
The Marian Engel Award was a Canadian literary award, presented each year from 1986 to 2007 by the Writers' Trust of Canada in memory of the writer Marian Engel...
, presented each year by the Writers' Trust of Canada
Writers' Trust of Canada
The Writers' Trust of Canada is a non-profit organization which provides financial support to Canadian writers.Founded by Margaret Atwood, Pierre Berton, Graeme Gibson, David Young and Margaret Laurence, the Writers' Trust of Canada was registered as a non-profit organization in 1976...
to a female Canadian novelist who is in the middle of her career.
She lives in London
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, Ontario.
Critical commentary
In 2005, the Giller jury committee, describing Luck, wrote that “Joan Barfoot is at the peak of her powers with this splendidly realized tragicomedy about a household in the wake of an unexpected death. With its note-perfect narration, mordant wit and wonderfully neurotic cast of characters, Luck shows how death can reveal life in all its absurdity and complexity. This scintillating comedy of manners is also a profound meditation on fate, love, and artifice.”Prizes and honours
- 1978 Books in Canada First Novel Award, for Abra
- 1992 Marian Engel AwardMarian Engel AwardThe Marian Engel Award was a Canadian literary award, presented each year from 1986 to 2007 by the Writers' Trust of Canada in memory of the writer Marian Engel...
- 2001 Shortlist, Trillium Book Award, for Critical Injuries
- 2002 Longlist, Man Booker PrizeMan Booker PrizeThe Man Booker Prize for Fiction is a literary prize awarded each year for the best original full-length novel, written in the English language, by a citizen of the Commonwealth of Nations, Ireland, or Zimbabwe. The winner of the Man Booker Prize is generally assured of international renown and...
, for Critical Injuries - 2005 Nominee, Scotiabank Giller PrizeScotiabank Giller PrizeThe Scotiabank Giller Prize, or Giller Prize, is a literary award given to a Canadian author of a novel or short story collection published in English the previous year, after an annual juried competition between publishers who submit entries...
, for Luck - 2005 Huron University CollegeHuron University CollegeHuron University College, referred to locally as Huron College is one of the affiliated colleges of the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario....
medal of distinction