The Arbutus/Madrone Files

A lively and perceptive new look at twentieth-century Pacific Northwest writing, The Arbutus/Madrone Files explores the dynamics of this cross-border region using resonant quotations, poetry, song lyrics, and art to demonstrate and enhance author Laurie Ricou's critical readings and ideas.

The Arbutus/Madrone Files is a wide-ranging, deeply felt meditation on the land, people, and literature of the U.S. and Canadian Pacific Northwest, gathered into twelve thematic essays or "files," including the Island File, Salmon File, Woodswords File, Sasquatch File, and, of course, the Rain File.

A longtime student of literary regions, Ricou moves in this book from a scholarly perspective toward more personal and lyrical reflections about what constitutes "home" and "region." He explores the work of such Northwest authors as Emily Carr, H.L. Davis, David Guterson, Jack Hodgins, John Keeble, Ken Kesey, Joy Kogawa, Ursula Le Guin, John Okada, Kim Stafford, and David Wagoner, among others.

This unique, stylishly written book will appeal to Pacific Northwest book-lovers interested in exploring the region's rich homegrown literature and art, and will be of great interest to scholars and students of regional literature, eco-criticism, and Pacific Northwest culture.

Illustrations

Acknowledgments

Re: Files

Files

• Mistory File
• Island File
• Raven File
• Rain File
• Kuroshio File
• Salal File
• Sasquatch File
• Salmon File
• Woodswords File
• Great Blue Heron File
• Intertidal File
• Anasayú File

Afterfiles

• Mistory
• Island
• Raven
• Rain
• Kuroshio
• Salal
• Sasquatch
• Salmon
• Woodswords
• Great Blue Heron
• Intertidal
• Anasayú

Sources File

Index

Permission Notes

"A fresh and timely regional approach… There is no book quite like this…. It is brilliantly written and very readable."

"Ricou is equally at home discussing writing and art by Canadians, Americans, and First Peoples. The book is a delight to read… a seldom-used combination of creative nonfiction and literary scholarship."