John Steffler

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Common Knowledge

Canonical name: Steffler, John
Legal name: Steffler, John
Birthdate: 1947-11-13
Gender: male
Education: University of Guelph
University of Toronto
Occupations: professor
poet
Organizations: Memorial University of Newfoundland
Nationality: Canada
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Places of residence: Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada
Associated Place (for map): Canada

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2 reviews

weberam2 160 reviews

The Grey Islands by John Steffler

Night on the island is full of power. In the dark the land and sea are released from the spell of logic and industry the sun’s light places upon them. The water, the trees and hills rise up. They roam and assume what shapes they wish.

At one point last night I stepped out of the cabin and was startled by the gigantic glaring presence of the moon, its reflection reaching in a broad flashing path down the sea, like a river of cold light falling straight to the cabin door. I had never seen

the moon so large or so white, and its light seemed too sharp, too keen and alert: as if grinning – not hungrily exactly – but with knowing, exultant power, like some great animal.

It moved briskly, this creature of light, crippling its body with easy energy. And I stood swallowed up, gazing into it. But I could not bear it for long. It was too massive and too cold to confront alone. In a rush I turned to the cabin and opened the door: the relief! the lantern throwing its cone of warm light over the table, my book, the woodstove crackling contently.

I fucking love this book. How many times have I had this kind of experience with the moon? High on mushrooms with Sam and Ryan when we camped outside in -25 weather, sitting on a cliff-side on the northern shore lake Superior while biking across Canada.

The Moon by The Microphones

More: ‘It’s enough to record what’s obvious. Here in the foreground. But always this is what’s hardest to see. The habit of straining your eyes craning to get above obstacles is the biggest obstacle.
The doubt that there’s any value in doing things.

Essentially this book is about a man who goes to live on an deserted island (for what reason?) off the coast of Newfoundland with tragic history, becomes scared he might encounter a mad man, or worse, that he'll have to encounter himself... he ends up desperately missing his family he left back in Toronto.

I don't know why this book is so perfect. But it is. show less

Nov 24, 2017

mahallett 2,712 reviews

The Afterlife of George Cartwright by John Steffler

winner smith books in Canada first novel award Thomas raddal award shortlisted for gg award and commonwealth award
strange little book. but it has a good spirit.

½

Apr 20, 2019 (Edited)