Gerald Hill: Hillsdale -- The Book

Gerry Hill at Luther College, showing the Hillsdale map and photos on display 

First, there was Hillsdale, then the Hillsdale Map, and now the Hillsdale Book.

Or was poet Gerald Hill (map and book author) the first?

Details, details.

Gerry Hill launched his new collection of Hillsdale poems — and stories, fragments, photos, drawings and found text — at Luther College this week, accompanied by readings from students from his creative writing class.

Great to hear Gerry read about this Regina, SK, neighbourhood, and lovely to hear new voices, too.

As for the Hillsdale Book (NeWest Press), it's highly entertaining — and made me ever-so-slightly nostalgic for a place where I've never lived...

As Will Chabun says in the Regina Leader Post review:

It's a mark of his skill as a poet, prose writer and researcher that he's able to show Hillsdale, which lies between Albert Street and the University of Regina, south of 23rd Avenue, for what it was, and is: a place of innovation, hope, and occasional tragedy.

Or, as former Canadian Poet Laureate Fred Wah says: "An intense and fascinating exploration of the layering of thought and feeling about place that goes much deeper than moth balls. This book-collage of poetry is so down to earth."   

Gerald Hill introduces his student readers 

The book signing. Congrats, Gerry! 

Congrats. Gerry — and help yourself to any pix here! 

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