Vancouver’s Lifeguard Legend

“Ruby Smith Diaz (l.) examines the life of Joe Fortes, a Black lifeguard in Vancouver, during a time of rampant racism, exploring his legacy and identity through research, personal reflections and poetry.FULL STORY

 

Buffy Cram

July 17th, 2023

A child of the 1960s, Elizabeth Squire has a complex and difficult relationship with her mother Margaret in the novel Once Upon an Effing Time (D&M $24.95) by Buffy Cram of Salt Spring Island. Margaret leaves Ontario and takes Elizabeth with her on a life journey that sometimes includes criminal misadventures. Yet Elizabeth tries to remain close to the neglectful, conspiracy-loving Margaret. It leads Elizabeth to adopt personas and live multiple lives such as transforming into a fortune teller who speaks in Bob Dylan lyrics, and joining an American hippie doomsday cult. Buffy Cram grew up in a communal housing project on the tip of Vancouver Island, earned an MFA in creative writing from UBC and travelled extensively before returning to BC. 9781771623605

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