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First published in 1993, No Crystal Stair is an absorbing story of Montreal in the 1940s. Raising her three daughters alone, Marion discovers she can only find gainful employment if she passes as white. Set in Little Burgundy against the backdrop of an exciting cosmopolitan jazz scene–home of Oscar Peterson, Oliver Jones, and Rockhead’s Paradise–and the tense years of World War II, No Crystal Stair is both a tender story and an indictment of Canada’s “soft” racism.
In 2005, No Crystal Stair was nominated for that year’s Canada Reads and was defended by Olympic fencer Sherraine MacKay.
“No Crystal Stair validated certain histories I already knew about Black Canadians in Montreal and taught me about new histories as well. It’s exciting to recognize yourself in a work of literature, especially one that is set in the past. At a micro level, it helps to build a sense of belonging to the communities and cultures in which you exist. But at a macro level, it validates your sense of identity — in this case a Quebecer and a Canadian. When Mairuth came to Montreal on her book tour, I was fortunate enough to get to the Westmount Public Library in time for the reading and she signed my copy! It’s nowhere to be found now, sadly, because I enthusiastically lent it to friends in way of spreading the word, not only about the book, but also to bring others to the story of a great Black Canadian woman in arts and culture.”
— Nantali Indongo, host, The Bridge, CBC
264 Pages
8in * 5in * 1in
1lb
October 01, 2021
CA
9781773900919
eng
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