Robert Majzels
Robert Majzels (born 1950) is a Canadian novelist, poet, playwright and translator.
Life
Majzels was born in Montreal. In 1986, he graduated with a Master's degree in English Literature from Concordia University in Montreal, where he would later teach creative writing for thirteen years. Between 2000 and 2002, he lived in Beijing, China and studied Chinese. He currently lives in Calgary, Alberta in Canada and teaches at the University of Calgary.
Works
Majzels is strongly influenced by critical and literary theory. His works explore both the limits of language and narrative forms and their ethical repercussions. His novels highlight the artificiality of Western literary language, especially its linearity, archetypal narratives, and the ways in which it works to establish characters as believable personae (characterization). Concurrently, they explore other, neglected forms of literary expression. For example, Apikoros Sleuth experimented with a Talmudic form, noted for its polyphonic, discursive, and digressive qualities.
Awards
- 2000 Governor General's Award for French to English translation for Just Fine, from the French Pas Pire, by France Daigle (2000).
- 2008 Griffin Poetry Prize shortlist for Notebook of Roses and Civilization, from the French Cahier de roses & de civilisation, by Nicole Brossard (2007).
- 2008 Governor General's Award for French to English translation nomination with Erin Moure for Notebook of Roses and Civilization, from the French Cahier de roses & de civilisation, by Nicole Brossard (2007).
- 2014 Best Translated Book Award, Poetry, shortlist for White Piano by Nicole Brossard, from the French.[1]
- Canadian Jewish Playwriting Competition, first prize for This Night the Kapo (1994).
- Dorothy Silver Award, Playwrights competition, first prize for This Night the Kapo (1991).
Partial bibliography
- 1992: Hellman's Scrapbook a novel. Cormorant Books ISBN 0-920953-78-6
- 1997:City of Forgetting a novel. Mercury Press ISBN 1-55128-045-0
- 2000: Installations poetry translated with Erin Mouré from the French Installations by Nicole Brossard. Muses' Co. ISBN 1-896239-65-X
- 2002: A Fine Passage a novel, translated from the French Un fin passage by France Daigle. Anansi ISBN 0-88784-681-5
- 2002: Museum of Bone and Water poetry, translated with Erin Mouré from the French Musée de l’os et de l’eau by Nicole Brossard. ISBN 0-88784-686-6
- 2004: Apikoros Sleuth a novel. Mercury Press ISBN 1-55128-105-8 paperback, Moveable Inc. ISBN 0-9684908-2-4 limited edition.
- 2004: Life’s Little Difficulties a novel, translated frm the French Petites difficultés d'existence by France Daigle. ISBN 0-88784-700-5
- 2007: The Humbugs Diet a novel. Mercury Press ISBN 1-55128-130-9
References
- ↑ Chad W. Post (April 14, 2014). "2014 Best Translated Book Awards: Poetry Finalists". Three Percent. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
External links
- Griffin Poetry Prize biography
- Griffin Poetry Prize reading, including video clip
- Profile of Robert Majzels
- Profile at the Writers' Union of Canada
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