John Robert Colombo
Author of True Canadian Ghost Stories
About the Author
John Robert Colombo, the Toronto-based author and anthologist, has been collecting accounts of supernatural and paranormal experiences as reported by Canadians for more than twenty years. Dubbed Canada's Mr. Mystery, he has previously published The Big Book of Canadian Ghost Stories, The Big Book show more of Canadian Hauntings, and Strange but True, among dozens of other books. show less
Image credit: photo:ace osmer
Series
Works by John Robert Colombo
Colombo's Little book of Canadian proverbs, graffiti, limericks, & other vital matters (1975) 17 copies
Other Canadas: An Anthology of Science Fiction and Fantasy (1979) — Contributor; Contributor — 7 copies
How Do I Love Thee: Sixty Poets of Canada (and Quebec) Select and Introduce Their Favourite Poems from Their Own Work (1970) 3 copies
Friendly Aliens: Thirteen Stories of the Fantastic Set in Canada by Foreign Authors (1981) — Editor — 1 copy
Neo poems 1 copy
Associated Works
Holding your eight hands; an anthology of science fiction verse (1970) — Contributor — 25 copies, 1 review
The Outcasts of Poker Flat The Luck of Roaring Camp and Other Stories (1973) — Introduction, some editions — 24 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Colombo, John Robert
- Legal name
- Colombo, John Robert
- Birthdate
- 1936-03-24
- Gender
- male
- Education
- University of Toronto (1959)
- Occupations
- editor
essayist
humorist
poet - Awards and honors
- Centennial Medal (1967)
Order of Cyril and Methodius (1st class)
Harbourfront Literary Award
Honorary Doctorate (D.Litt., 1998)
Order of Canada (2004) - Relationships
- Colombo, Ruth (wife)
- Short biography
- JRC is known across Canada as “the Master Gatherer” for his many books on the lore and literature of the country. He has been dubbed John “Bartlett” Colombo for his “quote books.” He has been called “Canada’s Mr. Mystery” for his studies of mysterious Canadiana.
An occasional public speaker and radio and television personality, he is a recipient of the Harbourfront International Literary Award; he was awarded an honourary doctorate in literature by York University; and he is a member of the Order of Canada.
Among his other honours are the Centennial Medal, the Order of Cyril and Methodius (first class), and Esteemed Knight of Mark Twain. - Nationality
- Canada
- Birthplace
- Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Places of residence
- Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Associated Place (for map)
- Ontario, Canada
Members
Reviews
This was a fun little read.
I liked that it’s all bite-sized facts, all 357 of them! You can jump in for five minutes or lose an hour without realizing it.
I actually learned a few things I didn’t know, which was a nice surprise.
Great if you’re into random Canadian trivia or just want something easy to flip through.
I liked that it’s all bite-sized facts, all 357 of them! You can jump in for five minutes or lose an hour without realizing it.
I actually learned a few things I didn’t know, which was a nice surprise.
Great if you’re into random Canadian trivia or just want something easy to flip through.
The Midnight Hour is such an interesting collection of eerie, true Canadian experiences.
If you enjoy mystery, folklore, or ghost stories that come from real places and real people, this book is a great pick.
Colombo has a real talent for finding these chilling accounts and sharing them in a way that feels believable and easy to get lost in. The stories range from hauntings to strange encounters, and everything in between, all from different parts of Canada
If you enjoy mystery, folklore, or ghost stories that come from real places and real people, this book is a great pick.
Colombo has a real talent for finding these chilling accounts and sharing them in a way that feels believable and easy to get lost in. The stories range from hauntings to strange encounters, and everything in between, all from different parts of Canada
A great collection of ghost stories from all over Canada. Colombo writes with a no nonsesse style that increases the spookiness of the stories.
Published in 1979, this anthology of science fiction –of stories, novel excerpts, and poems; either written by Canadians, or just set in Canada– seems to be somewhat of a historical overview. It begins with a parodic tale by Cyrano de Bergerac and ends with an essay by Margaret Atwood. To quote from her essay: "It is usual for a critic to present some general conclusions at the end of an effusion such as this. I'm not sure that I have any to offer; as I noted, I'm a mere collector of show more Canadian monsters, and I present them so that their rarity and exotic beauty may be admired, not necessarily in order to interpret them." show less
Lists
Awards
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 91
- Also by
- 7
- Members
- 657
- Popularity
- #38,399
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 8
- ISBNs
- 142
- Favorited
- 1