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BOOKS 61111, Art and academia mesh in author's career By Sharon Drache ANOTHER COUNTRY writings by and about Henry Kreisel. Edited by Shirley Neuman. NeWest Press, 362 pages, $19.95 cloth, $9.95 paper. Henry Kreisel is a man obsessed with remembering the past at the same time as he continually discovers the present. Writings by and about him reflect the image of a man standing between two worlds while also providing a detailed study of the successful combination of a richly led academic and literary life. In her introductions to diverse selections including a diary, personal correspondence, some early and recent fiction and several essays, editor Shirley Neuman endeavours to pay tribute to Kreisel not only for his accomplishments as an author' and an academic but also for his devotion to his adopted country, Canada. Immigration She begins where Kriesel began when he came to Canada in 1940, not as an ordinary immigrant but as a Jewish refugee who had fled the Anschluss in Austria in 1938 only to be welcomed at British and subsequently Canadian borders as an 'enemy alien'. Fellow internee, Eric Koch, described the unjust incarceration in his book Deemed Suspect: A Wartime Blunder (1980) but Kreisel's diary (some of which is reproduced in Koch's book) stands as an unadorned archival document. Later, in 1956, in a letter to his close friend Robert Weaver, Kreisel addresses his sense of outrage at being a double victim, first of Nazi tyranny and then because of his nationality. He speaks to the paradox of his internment which gave him a block of time to read and study precisely when he needed it. "It should be said that the camps here were intellectually stimulating...the place lousy with doctors of all sorts, medicine, philosophy and theology. Sitting around a bunk at night, an orthodox rabbi would argue with a neo-Thom- . ist and a Marxist was having it out with a Platonist...in this casual manner I was initiated into the world of ideas." Kreisel claims the most important event of his own camp life was his decision to write creatively, not in his native German, but in English. He tried to get his hands on some books by Canadian authors but couldn't. To address his surprise at that time and since on the topic of discovery of the Canadian literary landscape, Neuman includes Kreisel's hard-hitting, humorous essay, 'Has Anyone Here Heard of Marjorie Pickthall?' written for the 100th anniversary issue of Canadian Literature (Spring 1984). The book reads like a memoir, thanks to Neumans careful sequencing and bridging of selections. She traces Kreisel's career from his student days in English language and literature at the University of Toronto in the mid-forties to the publication of his highly acclaimed first novel, The Rich Man (1948). Kreisel' comments on the literary climate of the forties, not in Montreal which we have heard so much about from the First Statement and Preview people, but in Toronto. The Modern Letters Club was founded by Kreisel, Robert Weaver, the late Robert Sawyer and James Reaney. Writers met to discuss modern literature and read their works in progress "At the time E.J. Pratt was at Victoria College and Phillip Child was at Trinity Northrop Frye was beginning to exercise enormous influence and Marshall McLuhan was beginning his explorations at St. Michael's." Academic and author Kreisel wrote his master's thesis on poet A.M. Klein's Hath Not a Jew (1940). Klein had come to Canada when he was school age and Kreisel when he was eighteen. It was exciting to young Kreisel to find a literary soul mate. Klein's ability to embrace the Biblic and Rabbinic simultaneously with Canadian custom emboldened Kreisel to affirm his own Jewish heritage. Neuman aptly portrays Kreisel, the academic, alongside Kreisel, the author, for both aspects deal with the man's essence. He was himself an exile who had to work doubly hard to make a influences in Kreisel's contribution to his adopted writing. Joseph Conrad has country. Being a creative been a literary presence writer wasn't enough for much in the same way as Kreisel. He wanted a time- Klein. But with Conrad, bound occupation. He left Kreisel latched on to his the University of Toronto to exile and his choice to teach at the University of write in English instead of Alberta. Among his accomp- his native Polish. lishments since he began his T.S. Eliot's Waste Land teaching career in 1947 were is also important. Kreisel the introduction of the writes a memoir of Vienna, first course in Canadian published here for the first literature at that univer- time, in which he describes sity, the Chairmanship of Vienna as a waste land city, the English Department and a city of darkness and light, the administrative role of and certainly not the Vienna Vice President (Academic) he chooses to remember. from 1970 to 1975. Should Canadians wish to learn about a writer steeped in the tradition of Goethe and Schiller who is equally excited by A.M. Klein (1909-1972) and Hugh MacLennan, then Henry Kreisel, the writer-teacher is one of our best examples. In a talk he gave for the CBC on Problems of Writing in Canada, he didn't agree with Chester Duncan who said, "We haven't discovered what we are or where we are going and therefore we haven't much to say." Kreisel maintained his own experience had taught him otherwise. He singled out for praise two Canadian authors who had lots to say about Canada, Author Dr. Henry KriAsel his friends and former students, Robert Kroetsch and He was asked to stand for Rudy Weibe. the Presidency, says Neuman The essence of this book but he declined, choosing to is the affirmation in one devote his time to the other man's writings that art and facet of his personality, academia do mesh and that his writing, which with the the Canadian literary landexception of a second novel, scape is flourishing. The Betrayal (1964), several academic and literary essays and sprinkling of stories, had been in limbo. Editor Neuman describes Kreisel as a slow, methodical writer for whom periods of not writing have always been as important as periods of creativity. One feeds the other and after a lifetime of teaching and university administration, Kreisel has in fact had a burst of creative energy. In 1981, he published a collection of short fiction, The Almost Meeting, which won the J.I. Segal Literary Award. The inclusion in this volume of two recently written stories, An Evening with Sholem Aleichem and To Visit Mother Rachel's Grave, respectively underscores Kreisel's devotion to the tradition of Yiddish storytelling and to the Biblical past. Interviews with Felix Cherniavsky and Mervyn Butovsky address literary June 6, 1986, GLEBE REPORT -25
CHURCH NEWS Apartheid contrary to God's love for all people By Katherine Laundy When police opened fire on ten thousand school children who had gathered to demonstrate against inferior education for blacks, it sparked off the worst racial violence in South Africa's history. Thousands were killed, injured or imprisoned as the ensuing riots spread over most of the nation. The world reacted to the event with revulsion and Soweto, June 16, 1976, became a symbol of the blood spent in protest against the unjust system of apartheid. Ten years later, on June 16, 1986, the Christian Church is calling for a world day of prayer to end the apartheid system in South Africa. People of all faiths are asked to pray that God will replace the existing oppressive structures with just ones, remove from power those who persist in defying His laws and put in their place leaders who will govern with justice and mercy. Theological grounds Apartheid is a system that can be condemned on a theological as well as moral, political and economic grounds. Although some members of the whites-only Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa still find a religious basis for apartheid (the system was originally upheld and justified on biblical grounds), members of other churches both in South Africa and throughout the world count apartheid as a heresy of the Christian faith. Apartheid is completely contrary to God's love for all mankind as expressed through the Scriptures. The Bible teaches us that we are valuable to God because we are made in His image and that in Jesus Christ all differences between people are rendered void. Apartheid teaches us that we are only valuable to God if we have the right colour of skin. The Bible tells us that God's intention for all creation and for all mankind is harmony, unity, peace, justice and righteousness. Apartheid tells us we are created for separation. The Bible tells us that God worked through His Son Jesus Christ, through his life, death and resurrection to reconcile the world to Himself. Apartheid denies this heart of the Christian message flatly by stating that people are fundamentally irreconcilable. In December, 1985, a group of Church leaders from around the world, including Archbishop Edward Scott, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Rt. Rev. Robert Smith, Moderator of the United Church of Canada, gathered in Zimbabwe to meet with leaders of the South African churches for an emergency meeting. They discussed the responsibilities of Christians and churches in the deteriorating conflict. Among the strongest recommendations was a call on the governments of the countries represented to impose immediate and comprehensive sanctions against South Africa. Here in Canada churches condemn the policy and practice of apartheid. They have persistently challenged the Canadian government's position on South Africa. In 1975 the Taskforce on the Churches and Corporate Responsibility was established to deal with issues of human rights and social justice in the area of corporate activity. One issue it has continually addressed is company activity and investment in South Africa. In addition, the Inter-Church Coalitiion on South Africa works to improve the capacity of Canada's churches and other concerned groups to accomplish their work of educating Canadians about Africa. Churches in Ottawa will be participating in this world day of prayer as a means of showing their support for a better society in South Africa. Fifth Avenue Free Methodist Church will be holding a special service on Sunday evening, June 15, at 6 p.m., the eve of the day of prayer. Join the churches in their prayers. Help fulfill the vision of Rev. Allan Boesak, President of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, who said, "I have seen a new South Africa. I have seen a land, not of apartheid, not of death, not of chains, but a land of joy and a land of freedom and a land of peace. Let us fight for that land." Katherine Laundy attends Fifth Avenue Free Methodist Church. THE GLEBE CHURCHES WELCOME YOU CHURCH OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT (Roman Catholic) Fourth Avenue at Percy Street 232-4891 Parish Clergy: Canon Donald Macdonald, Pastor The Rev. Joseph O'Donnell, Ass't Masses: Saturday: 4:30 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 11 AM, 12:15 PM FIFTH AVENUE FREE METHODIST CHURCH Fifth Avenue at Monk Street 233-1870 Pastors: Rev. C. Ross Hammond Mr. William B. Lippman Sunday Services: Morning Worship 11:00 AM Vespers 6:00 PM FOURTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH Fourth Avenue at Bank Street 234-5765 Pastor: Rev. Terry Laing Sunday Services: Morning Worship 10:30 AM Sunday School 11:45 AM GLEBE-ST. JAMES UNITED CHURCH Lyon Street at First Avenue 236-0617 Team Ministers: Rev. Jean Barkley Rev. Dr. David Winsor Sunday Services: New Ventures in Celebration 9:30 AM Sanctuary Service 11:00 AM ST. GILES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Bank Street at First Avenue 235-2551 Interim Moderator: Rev. Garry Morton Sunday Service: Worship 11:00 AM ST. ATTHEW'S ANGLICAN CHURCH 217 First Avenue 234-4024 Parish Clergy: Canon I.K. Calder Rev. John Bridges Sunday Services: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM Choral Evensong 7:00 PM THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) 91A Fourth Avenue 232-9923 Clerk: Barry Thomas Outreach: Peter Harkness Olga Ghosh Sunday Service: 10:30 AM CAPITAL HOME SERVICE 1056 Secord Ave. Ottawa Complete line of wood windows pine or cedar with optional aluminum claddings with 3 colours to choose from Aluminum replacement windows Steanly Entrance doors with magnetic seal Velux roof windows Aluminum siding and roofing CASH AND CARRY or INSTALLED Renovations and New Construction FOR FREE ESTIMATE CALL 521-0977 June 6, 1986, GLEBE REPORT -26
Page 1 and 2: THE GLEBE REPORT 4A;ett.
Page 3 and 4: N EWS from page 1 New directors for
Page 5 and 6: EDITORIAL NOTES No July Glebe Repor
Page 7 and 8: LETTERS Saddened and embittered by
Page 9 and 10: N EWS Glebe Centre gives away mattr
Page 11 and 12: N EWS Glebe Scouts spend weekend at
Page 13 and 14: N EWS New service to mind your home
Page 15 and 16: CAPITAL COLUMN New structure for co
Page 17 and 18: GBG First annual banquet and dinner
Page 19 and 20: GNAG BAG / ri/I Alb.\ S- IETtnr*'-
Page 21 and 22: FOCUS Oak Bay and the Glebe village
Page 23 and 24: PEOPLE Anniversary greetings to Mum
Page 25: Take a doser look at june Beaches O
Page 29: 7- ilk Volt fik expos ATTENTION YOU

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