Book Review - Luminous Ink: Writers on Writing in Canada

I finished reading Luminous Ink today.

Twenty-six writers in Canada were asked to contribute pieces of original work describing how they see writing today. From Atwood’s opening, through writing from Indigenous writers, the reader is given a sense of how twenty-six of the country’s finest writers see their world today. With an introduction by the editors, Dionne Brand, Rabindranath Maharaj, and Tessa McWatt.  

Contributors include: 
Margaret Atwood -         Michael Ondaatje -         Madeleine Thien, 
M G Vassanji -                Lawrence Hill -              Pascale Quiviger 
Nino Ricci -                    Sheila Fischman -           Heather O’Neill 
Camilla Gibb -                Eden Robinson -             Lee Maracle 
Rawi Hage  -                   Michael Helm -              Lisa Moore 
Rita Wong -                     Hiromi Goto -                George Elliott Clarke 
Nicole Brossard -            Judith Thompson -         David Chariandy 
Richard Van Camp -       Marie-Hélène Poitras -   Stephen Henighan 
Greg Hollingshead -       Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

I found Luminous Ink to be an eclectic, enjoyable, exceptional read. Some writers are white and born in Canada. Some are black and born in Canada. Some immigrated to Canada while others are expatriates.

Each writes from their own angle. Some talk about their current lives. Some tell us a story which comes from their past. Some explain on how they came to write. And some give their views on issues of great importance to them.

Some are humorous, some angry, some profound, some make your think but all of them are worthwhile to read.

The points of view are all varied and it's so wonderful to have such a diverse collection captured under one cover.