Newfoundland and Labrador author Lisa Moore has won the 2013 CBC Canada Reads competition for her book February(published by House of Anansi in 2009).
February, representing Atlantic Canada, beat out Two Solitudes by Hugh MacLennan in the final vote, broadcast live on Thursday, Feb. 14. February was supported by Newfoundland and Labrador comedian Trent McClellan.
Ms. Moore has close ties to Memorial as a regular instructor in the Department of English’s creative writing program. She read from February at the 2010 SPARKS Literary Festival and more recently participated as a moderator at the 2013 festival.
“I know I speak for the entire English department when I say we are delighted for Lisa,” said Dr. Donna Walsh, head, Department of English.
The win comes on the day before the 31st anniversary of the storm that sank the Ocean Ranger oil rig, killing 84. It went down on Feb. 15, 1982, off the coast of Newfoundland, after being hit by a blizzard on Valentine's Day. February tells the story of Helen O'Mara, who lost her husband Cal in the tragedy.
This year's edition of Canada Reads pitted titles from the country's different regions against each other. In addition to Two Solitudes (representing Quebec), the books included Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese, Away by Jane Urquhart and David Bergen’s The Age of Hope.
In a live interview broadcast immediately following the decision, Ms. Moore thanked the panel for their fair discussion over the four days of competition.
