Dave Godfrey

Author of The new ancestors

About the Author

Dave Godfrey (born August 9, 1938 - June 21, 2015) was a Canadian writer and publisher. His novel The New Ancestors won the Governor General's Award for English language fiction in 1970. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Godfrey was educated at Trinity College at the University of Toronto, Iowa State show more University, and Stanford University. He taught in Ghana for several years including Adisadel College, Cape Coast from 1963-65 where he was the English and music instructor. He continued his teaching at the University of Toronto and the University of Victoria when in Canada. Godfrey died of cancer on June 21, 2015. He was 76 years old. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

Works by Dave Godfrey

Popular Recent

The new ancestors (1970) 23 copies, 1 review

Death goes better with Coca-Cola (1973) 8 copies

Holiday Clubs: Pyramid Rock (2008) 7 copies

Gordon to Watkins to you, documentary: The battle for control of our economy, (1970) 4 copies

Dark must yield (1978) 3 copies

Rocky's Plaice (2009) 3 copies

New Canadian writing, 1968: stories (1968) 3 copies

I ching Kanada (1976) 2 copies

Rocky's Menu (2009) 2 copies

Seaside Rock (Holiday Club Material) (2002) 1 copy

Work Explorer

Associated Works

Great Canadian Short Stories (1971) — Contributor — 56 copies

Ground Works: Avante-Garde for Thee (2002) — Contributor — 37 copies

The Best American Short Stories 1963 (1963) — Contributor — 21 copies, 1 review

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Main Associated

Common Knowledge

Birthdate: 1938-08-09
Gender: male
Education: University of Toronto
Iowa State University
Stanford University
Relationships: Godfrey, Rebecca (daughter)
Godfrey, Ellen (wife)
Nationality: Canada
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Places of residence: Ghana
Associated Place (for map): Manitoba, Canada

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Reviews

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1 review

gypsysmom 2,560 reviews

New Ancestors (New Canadian Library) by Dave Godfrey

This book has to be one of the most difficult books to read that I have ever come across. I have no idea how it won the GG in 1970 and I can not agree with Margaret Laurence's assessment quoted on the back cover "wise, entertaining, explosive". This appraiser certainly saw more in the book than I did. This quote from the article is about as good as I can do to explain the book:
If The New Ancestors seems confusing, the reason is that its narrative codes are constantly colliding.

If you are show more interested in a rambling commentary about a socialist state newborn in Africa, then this is the book for you. Otherwise, leave it alone and don't waste your time. show less

Aug 7, 2017