A few days ago, I received a lovely email from Donna Bailey Nurse regarding my book review of Marina Endicott’s Close to Hugh. Like myself, she was disappointed it didn’t make the Giller shortlist, but she also wanted to share with me 
a wonderful piece she did on Endicott for the literary magazine Black Iris. For those of you who read and enjoyed the book, or for those of you who simply can’t get enough of Endicott, you can find the profile on this wonderful Alberta author here.
Nurse makes an extremely poignant observation about Endicott’s writing that really rang true for me in this piece; she points out that Endicott has incredible compassion for her characters, and that she treats them much the same way as Anne Tyler or Carol Shields does. Having just read Anne Tyler for the first time a few months ago, I couldn’t agree more!
For those of you who aren’t familiar with her, Donna Bailey Nurse is a very well-established writer in her own right, and I’m a big fan of her book reviews. So make sure to check out Black Iris for some more bookish writing.
Hi Anne,
I just finished reading Etta and Otto and Russell and James and thought I would see what you thought of it, but alas it appears you haven’t read/reviewed it yet. How can that be? Or perhaps I just missed it.
I know I know you’ve been busy traveling (in grand style!) and with your sweet baby (did she travel with you?).
I trust all is well in your world, it would be nice to catch up and see you and Ava sometime.
Cheers,
Lois
Sent from my iPhone
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Hi Lois, thanks so much for keeping up with my blog! I haven’t read Etta and Otto and Russell and James yet, but I’ve heard about it from a few people now, so I want to read it! Ava definitely did travel with us, and I’d love to catch up sometime too. Shoot me an email when you’re free!
xo