A series of online literary events highlighting women’s histories, decolonial and anti-authoritarian movements, and experimental literature
The Koffler’s year-round Books & Ideas series spotlights provocative writers, novelists and thinkers, celebrating literary excellence and fostering critical dialogue through compelling book launches, author talks and in-depth interviews.
This winter, in conjunction with programming across the Koffler's multidisciplinary art streams, Books & Ideas highlights the female voice, women’s histories, decolonial and anti-authoritarian movements, and experimental literature, presenting a series of virtual events on our online platform.
For full details on all of our Books & Ideas programs, including both audio and video links to past programs, please click here.
The season opens with the Canadian launch of Dr. Ann Heberlein's
On Love and Tyranny: The Life and Politics of Hannah Arendt, translated by Alice Menzies. In an utterly unique approach to biography,
On Love and Tyranny traces the life and work of the iconic German Jewish intellectual Hannah Arendt, whose political philosophy and understandings of evil, totalitarianism, love, and exile prove essential amid the rise of the refugee crisis and authoritarian regimes around the world.
American author and cartoonist, Ken Krimstein (
The Three Escapes of Hannah Arendt - A Tyranny of Truth), will host the online conversation.
The Koffler presents the launch of Dene/Métis author and photographer Tenille K. Campbell’s new poetry collection,
nedί nezų (
Good Medicine). With a knowing smile, this book side-eyes the political existence and celebrates the lived experience of an Indigenous woman falling in love and lust with those around her – but, most importantly, with herself.
Tenille K. Campbell will join Oji-nehiyaw, Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer author and 2021 Canada Reads Finalist, Joshua Whitehead (
Jonny Appleseed), in a virtual conversation.
The season concludes with award-winning writer Larissa Lai and her new book,
Iron Goddess of Mercy. Inspired by the tumultuous history of Hong Kong, from the Japanese and British occupations to the ongoing pro-democracy protests, this long poem interrogates the complicated notion of identity, offering a prism through which the term ‘Asian’ can be understood to make sense of a complex set of relations.
Larissa Lai will appear in an online conversation with writer, performer, and cultural worker, Kai Cheng Thom (
I Hope We Choose Love: A Trans Girl’s Notes at the End of the World).
Books & Ideas was launched with the generous support of Dorothy Shoichet & Family and the Estate of Joseph Koenig. Thanks to our generous event patrons and booksellers: Rob and Cheryl McEwen, Peter Lyman and Judith Moses, House of Anansi Press, Arsenal Pulp Press, Ben McNally Books, Another Story Bookshop, Glad Day Bookshop.