A Season in Chezgh’un nominated for the BC and Yukon Ethel Wilson Fiction prize
The West Coast Book Prize Society has announced the finalists for the 40th Annual BC and Yukon Book Prizes, which includes A Season in Chezgh’un for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize. Awards will be given out September 28 across all eight categories. SEE FULL LIST OF NOMINEES→
CBC NXNW: A Season in Chezgh’un
Acclaimed Cree author Darrel J. McLeod joins Margaret Gallagher in the NXNW studio to talk about his debut novel, A Season in Chezgh’un, which follows a young Indigiqueer man taking on the role of school principal in a remote northern Dakelh community. Taking place over the course of a single year, the novel explores the indomitable spirit of the Dakelh culture, the splendour of nature, and a struggle with identity and connection to surroundings. LISTEN NOW→
CBC Books: 30 Canadian books to read in winter 2024
The CBC’s list of “30 buzzworthy Canadian titles to read right now,” including A Season in Chezgh’un. SEE FULL LIST→
Literary Review of Canada: Home on the Reserve
A Season in Chezgh’un departs from the candid style of Darrel J. McLeod’s previous books, including his memoir Mamaskatch, which won a Governor General’s Award in 2018. READ FULL REVIEW (PAYWALL)→
The BC Review: Challenging ‘what the white man want’
It is a real gift for an author to offer his readers a novel that is both memorable and timely. A Season in Chezgh’un by Sooke’s Darrel McLeod is exactly such a gift, arriving at a period in our history when the multiple, raw issues surrounding Indigenous people of Canada in general, and British Columbia in particular, loom large in the public mind. READ FULL REVIEW→
CBC Books: Sneak peek of A Season in Chezgh’un
Governor General’s Literary Award winner Darrel J. McLeod publishing first novel this fall. Cree writer Darrel J. McLeod is known for his personal and intimate memoirs. READ FULL REVIEW→
Vancouver Public Library: Darrel McLeod in discussion with Shelagh Rogers
“I hope my novel seeds a profound desire to know more — the desire to connect personally with indigenous communities — and individuals as neighbors, friends and maybe even lovers.” —Darrel McLeod
In his first novel, acclaimed author Darrel McLeod brings us A Season in Chezgh’un, a fascinating read that depicts a world most will never experience: life on a typical Indian Reserve in Canada. McLeod takes the intimacy and candor he’s known for in his memoirs and uses them to paint the story of a talented and conflicted Cree man who spends a year in Northern BC taking in the indomitable spirit of the people, and the splendour of nature — all the while fighting to keep his dark side from destroying his life.
Join Darrel in discussion with acclaimed literary journalist Shelagh Rogers.
Niizhotay Stories: An Evening with Darrel J. McLeod
On this third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we once again honour treasured Elder and tireless community-builder Theodore Niizhotay Fontaine with Niizhotay Stories, an annual event which calls on us all to forge a healing path in the spirit of “two hearts.” For this year’s installment, we welcome Governor General’s Award-winning Cree author Darrel J. McLeod (author of Mamaskatch: A Cree Coming of Age and Peyakow: Reclaiming Cree Dignity) to Winnipeg to discuss his debut novel, A Season in Chezgh’un (Douglas & McIntyre) with host Dr. Jillian Horton. Co-presented by The Winnipeg International Writers’ Festival as part of THIN AIR 2023.
CBC Books: Governor General’s Literary Award winner Darrel J. McLeod publishing first novel this fall
Cree writer Darrel J. McLeod is known for his personal and intimate memoirs. He’s published two — Mamaskatch and Peyakow — both of which explore his youth and childhood. McLeod was raised by his mother, Bertha, who is a residential school survivor, and was bullied by white classmates, lived in poverty, endured physical and sexual abuse and lost several people he loved. Both books resonated with readers and critics alike… READ FULL ARTICLE→