In this volume, the first collection of literary critcism focusing on Alberta writers, the editors argue for a study of the province's fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction. By critically situating and assessing specific Alberta authors according to genre, this volume continues the work begun with Melnyk's
Literary History of Alberta.

As the first collection of literary criticism focusing on Alberta writers, Wild Words establishes a basis for identifying Alberta fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction as valid subjects of study in their own right. By critically situating and assessing specific Alberta authors according to genre, this volume continues the work begun with Melnyk's
Literary History of Alberta.

Preface: The Struggle for an Alberta Literature / Donna Coates and George Melnyk



INTRODUCTION - Wrestling Impossibilities: Wild Words in Alberta / Aritha van Herk



Part I: Poetry

1. The "Wild Body" of Alberta Poetry / Douglas Barbour

2. "To Canada": Michael Gowda's Unique Contribution to the Literary History of Alberta / Jars Balan

3. Pastoral Elegy, Memorial, Writing: Robert Kroetsch's "Stone Hammer" Poem / Christian Riegel



Part II: Drama

4. No Cowpersons on This Range: The Cultural Complexity of Alberta Theatre / Anne Nothof

5. Playing Alberta with Sharon Pollock / Sherrill Grace



Part III: Fiction

6. "No Woman is Natural": The (Re)production of Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Suzette Mayr's
Moon Honey / Helen Hoy

7. Wandering Home in Rudy Wiebe's
Sweeter Than All the World and
Of This Earth / Malin Sigvardson

8. Richard Wagamese – An Ojibway in Alberta / Frances W. Kaye



Part IV: Nonfiction

9. From Grizzly Country to Grizzly Heart: The Grammar of Bear-Human Interactions in the Work of Andy Russell and Charlie Russell / Pamela Banting

10. The Doomed Genre: Myrna Kostash and the Limits of Non-fiction / Lisa Grekul



AFTERWORD - Writing in Alberta: Up, Down, or Sideways? / Fred Stenson



Contributor bios

As the first collection of literary criticism focusing on Alberta writers, Wild Words establishes a basis for identifying Alberta fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction as valid subjects of study in their own right. By critically situating and assessing specific Alberta authors according to genre, this volume continues the work begun with Melnyk's Literary History of Alberta.