Klee Wyck
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4.2 • 146 Ratings
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Publisher Description
An Apple Books Classic edition.
One of Canadian artist Emily Carr’s paintings sold for more than $3.3 million in 2013, setting a record for work by a Canadian woman. And Carr was just as gifted as an author as she was a painter.
In Klee Wyck she shares literary sketches of her experiences among the First Nations of Canada’s west coast. We travel alongside Carr as she meets generous and curious people who, despite their initial distrust, open their hearts and minds to Klee Wyck (the "Laughing One"), as they call her. Carr describes the poverty and challenges these indigenous communities face, and she marvels at their pride, traditions, and the artistry of their totem poles. Be on the lookout for sections of Carr’s memoir that were originally removed, including a portrait of a mixed-race family and vignettes condemning European missionaries. These deleted passages were finally released in 2004.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Canadian painter Emily Carr chronicles her time with First Nations people in these light-hearted vignettes from 1941, after she turned to writing in her final years. The title Klee Wyck translates to “Laughing One,” the nickname given to her by the native people based on the preserved national parkland of Vancouver Island. In episodes often just a few pages long, Carr captures the Pacific Northwest’s majestic landscape and untamed wilderness with conversational persuasiveness. Short yet soulful, this is a lasting snapshot of meaningful cultural intersections related by a sensitive and curious guide.
Customer Reviews
Time gone by
A white colonist’s perspective of indigenous peoples in BC, Canada in the 1900’s. While the racism is tempered with compassion & some respect and a bit of admiration, it remains a white perspective. Author gets to experience a diverse section of First Nations villages and record them through her art and her memoir.
Totem Tales
Great story from the perspective of an artist who lived among the Indians in different settlements to sketch pictures of their Totem Poles that told stories about their lives and their death. They were a very poor people, but shared what they had with strangers.
A Great Memoir
A great story that really paints a vivid picture of life.