Storytelling
is in her blood
U
of C librarian Marie Jakober publishes sixth novel
by
Wes Lafortune
Most
staff and students entering the MacKimmie Library are usually
unaware that an award-winning writer is in their midst.
Marie Jakober’s novel, Black Chalice, won first place
at the 2001 Independent Published Book Award in the category
of fantasy and science fiction.
Jakober
started working as a librarian at the U of C in the1970s,
at which time she also became a published novelist. Her
most recent book, Even the Stones, was released by Calgary’s
Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Press.
This
unassuming author/librarian describes her book as taking
place during the Dark Ages of Europe, in a fictional country
called Kamilan, where the mythical tale of an imprisoned
princess unfolds with intrigue and passion.
Throughout
Jakober’s 30-year career as a published writer she
has told stories that explore important dimensions of the
human condition. “This most recent book deals with
questions of gender, identity and religion, says Jakober,
I hope it will have an influence over people’s world
views.”
Some
of Jakober’s books have been described as historical
fiction, others, feminist literature. Whatever category
the novels fall into the author hopes her carefully written
prose results in works that readers enjoy and learn from.
The
zeal for storytelling began before she could walk and continued
into her teens. After completing her university studies
at Carleton University, Jakober entered a competition sponsored
by Alberta Culture ‘The Search for a New Alberta
Novelist.’
Although she didn’t win top prize, the judges recognized her talents
and she finished as one of the finalists in the competition. The book that
entered the competition, The Mind Gods, was thereafter published by MacMillan
in 1976 and received international distribution.
This
dedicated writer, with six novels under her belt, will
continue working part-time at the University while creating
new works, including a series of historical dramas set
in the American Civil War. “I’m interested
and fascinated by how the world works and that’s
what drives me,” says Jakober.
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The
magic of movies
George
Melnyk reflects on films’ cultural relevance
by
Wes Lafortune
Like
someone entering a darkened movie theatre from the blinding
daylight outside, George Melnyk stumbled his way into an
academic career in film studies.
“ I owe the film thing to the University of Calgary,” explains Melnyk. “I
was a sessional (instructor) at the time. The professor who was teaching Canadian
Film Studies 331 was leaving his position and I asked if I could teach it.” And,
as they say in the movies, the rest is history.
Since
taking over this course in 1999, Melnyk has become one
of the leading voices in Canadian film studies, focussing
on the cultural significance of movies.
He recently published a collection of essays, My Mother is an Alien – Ten
Takes on Life and Film, published by The Banff Centre Press. The book is filled
with humour and many poignant accounts of movies, literature and the author’s
life.
Melnyk’s
book title takes its inspiration from the Alien movies,
which he concludes is about feminism and the role of women
in society. In one of his essays Melnyk compares the central
character of Alien, Lieutenant Ripley (played by Sigourney
Weaver), to his own mother. He writes: “She fought
against punishing authority, endured great hardships and
pain, and lived by an internal code that had as its centrepiece
a validation of life rather than power. She has remained
an emphatic and determined woman all her life.”
While
Melnyk’s book combines academic discourse with autobiographical
anecdotes, he urges his readers to reflect on the personal
and cultural relevance that movies play in their lives. “Film
is a cinematic mirror, says Melnyk. “Look at the
film and see yourself.”
What
Melnyk sees when he looks into the screen is a man bridging
the worlds of text and film; someone who is open to sharing
his experiences so that others can look at the movie screen
and be inspired to discover something about themselves.
“ The movie theatre is a kind of temple where you can go to have an experience
in the dark – you can completely lose yourself in that experience.” |