Open Book: Ontario is celebrating the 24th Annual Trillium Book Award with The Trillium Ten/Trillium Dix interview series. Find out what this year's Trillium Book Award finalists were doing when they heard the news about their nomination, where in the province they most love to write, who their favourite Ontario authors are and more by following our series. Winners of the Trillium Awards will be announced on Friday, June 17th.
Ajax-based novelist Rabindranath Maharaj is nominated for the English-Language Trillium Book Award for his novel The Amazing Absorbing Boy (Knopf Canada), which follows the adventures of a 17-year-old immigrant from Trinidad as he struggles to adapt to a new life in Toronto and the "big mall of a country" that is Canada.
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Open Book:
Tell us about your Trillium-Award nominated book.
Rabindranath Maharaj:
It?s the story of a young boy who tries to understand his new city by using comic book references. He transforms his struggles into grand adventures — and in doing so, separates himself from his bitter father who has barricaded himself in his apartment.
OB:
What gave you the idea for the book that received this nomination?
RM:
One evening I was on the GO train leaving Union Station. I looked at all the leveling and construction taking place and I tried to imagine how this view — from the window of the train — would appear to a newcomer. I felt this person might see the city as being dismantled and that he or she might wonder what the new place would look like. By the time I arrived in Ajax I felt that this viewer would be a young boy whose sensibility was heavily influenced by his comic-book memories.
OB:
What were you doing when you received the news about your Trillium nomination?
RM:
I was preparing the next day?s lesson for The School of Continuing Studies at the University of Toronto where I teach Creative Writing.
OB:
What book would you give to a visitor to give them a sense of Ontario?
RM:
I am not sure. Those visiting Toronto may get a different book from those eyeing Kitchener or Brockville.
OB:
What spot in Ontario most inspires you to write?
RM:
Any place where there?s a large expanse of water. I suppose this stems from growing up on a small island where the beaches are typically less than an hour away from most locations.
OB:
Who is your favourite Ontario-based author?
RM:
There are too many to single out. They vary from year to year, from book to book. I have recently read and enjoyed books by Camilla Gibbs and David Chariandy.
OB:
Do you have a favourite quote about writing?
RM:
A while ago, the American novelist and travel writer Paul Theroux said that every writer must leave his homeland at least once. I hope I am not misquoting him, but I believe it?s mostly true.
OB:
What distracts you from writing?
RM:
When I was younger, hangovers. Now, minor obligations I have forever postponed.
OB:
What are you reading right now?
RM:
A wild cast of recent books by Canadian writers.
OB:
What can you tell us about your next project?
RM:
A man is building a hotel in Toronto. I have a good idea of the main character and will work out all the other details as the plot clarifies itself.
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Rabindranath Maharaj is the author of five novels and three short story collections. Born and raised in Trinidad, he now lives in Ajax, Ontario. He has also published in various literary journals and anthologies; written reviews and articles for The Washington Post, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star and others; and written the radio drama series ?Malcolm and Alvin? for CBC Radio. His books have twice been nominated for the Commonwealth Writers? Prize, The Chapters/Books in Canada First Novel Award, The Rogers Writers? Trust Fiction Prize, and more recently, The Bocas Prize and The Trillium Award.
For more information about The Amazing Absorbing Boy please visit the Knopf Canada website.
Buy this book at your local independent bookstore or online at Chapters/Indigo or Amazon.
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