MacEwan Book of the Year: An Evening With Michael Ondaatje

There's something about book events and author readings/signings that I can't pass up. Last Thursday, Michael Ondaatje (the Canadian author of such books as The English Patient and The Cat's Table - but if you didn't already know that, shame on you!), was at MacEwan University for MacEwan Book of the Year event in which Ondaatje won for The Cat's Table (which I might add, I have not yet read - shame on me!)

{MacEwan Book of the Year}

But here's the thing: as excited as I was to go to this event, I cannot truthfully say I am a big fan of Ondaatje's. In fact, not only have I not read The Cat's Table, but the only book I have read of Ondaatje's is In the Skin of a Lion, and I didn't even like it. But I loved the film version of The English Patient! (That counts for something, right?).  What I am a huge fan of though is books, and without authors, we would have no books (obviously).  Therefore, I am generally not one to turn down an opportunity to meet an author, especially a well-known, Canadian author.  Even if I feel a little bit like a poser in attending. Luckily, I was in good company with fellow-poser's Laura from Reading In Bed, and my mom, Sheri.

I'm no stranger to attending book events, in fact, if there was a frequent-flyer card for this, I would have the gold star membership. You see, my mom was a book publicist for 10+ years, so you can imagine the number of times I was gently-forced asked to attend her client's events. And over those years, I realized that it doesn't matter if you're a fan of the author or not - as a book lover, it's FUN to go to these types of things. While I was thinking about what to write for this post, I started to think about all the author's I have met over the years (stay-tuned for a future post) and how it never gets old or tiring to attend these kinds of events. Authors really are the celebrities of the bookish-world. Seeing and meeting authors evokes the same feelings and enjoyment I get out of seeing my favourite (and even not-so-favourite) bands play live. And the opportunities to meet these celebrities seems to be few and far between nowadays, so who am I to turn down the chance to meet one of them?

But let's get back to the MacEwan Book of the Year night.  I think what I love so much about this program is that it's tradition for the author of the chosen year's book to visit MacEwan campus for an evening of discussion. And luckily for us non-university folk, it's open to anyone who wishes to purchase a ticket to attend!

After Mr. Ondaatje was introduced, he read a few select passages from The Cat's Table. Sometimes at author events, the author just rambles about whatever he/she feels like, but if we're lucky, they will read a few passages out of their book. I say lucky because there's something very intimate about hearing an author read their own words. Only they can truly emphasize certain words and phrases as they were meant to be emphasized and this has often changed my reading experience of the their book for the better. For me, it adds a deeper connection to the story and I love being able to hear their voice as I read their book. I remember this one time where I listened to an author read from her book in her British accent and I then proceeded to read her book in her same British accent. Which is really weird because I can't even speak in a fake-British accent.

{Q&A between Michael and Michael}

After Michael was done reading, Michael Hingston, Books Columnist for the Edmonton Journal, joined him on stage and they conversed in a Q & A, including some audience-submitted questions. I'm terrible at recalling interesting discussion points, but here are a few things I do happen to remember from that night:

• Michael Ondaatje admitted he's never re-read any of his books after they've been published. While initially I found this fact quite interesting, the more I thought of it, the more it makes sense. I don't even like re-reading my blog posts. Can you imagine re-reading actual books you wrote and are now published and you can never change that one line you cringe at the thought of thousands of people reading? *shudder*

• When asked how he writes his stories - does he come up with the plot or the characters first? - Michael told us he decides on the time and setting first (ex: France in 1975), then the characters. From there, the story evolves.

• In response to why don't some of the chapters in his books have titles when others do, Michael simply replied that they don't need titles.

And then of course the best part is saved for last:

{I have to admit, I'm a little underwhelmed by Mr. Ondaatje's signature

}

Oh yes, and apparently Michael Ondaatje was pretty sexy in his younger years...and if you don't believe me, Laura has proof over on her blog.