(Randall Maggs - Photo from
The Western Star, Corner Brook)
"Randall's incredible
Night Work: The Sawchuk Poems:
a source of light, love and comfort, for when things are not looking up."
Ron MacLean, host of
Hockey Night in Canada
"Every man's a poem, we all need to be understood
-- Terry Sawchuk, Randall Maggs, they are no different."
Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip
Brick Books is proud to announce the publication of Night Work: The Sawchuk Poems - 10th Anniversary Edition by Randall Maggs.
Poetry and hockey glide together on the printed page...
kinetic, lithe and athletic
This is the story of Terry Sawchuk, the genius but complicated goalie who played 21 seasons in the NHL and went on to be named among the 100 greatest NHL players in history. This year marks both the 50th anniversary of the last time the Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup and the 100th anniversary of the Leafs.
At the time of his death, Sawchuk held the all-time wins record for an NHL goalie. In 1967 Sawchuk's play helped the Maple Leafs defeat the Chicago Black Hawks in the Stanley Cup semi-final and the Montreal Canadiens in the finals - the Maple Leafs have not won the Stanley Cup since. He suffered from untreated depression and died at 40 years old after a scuffle with a teammate.
Night Work: The Sawchuk Poems is illustrated with photographs mirroring the text, depicting key moments in the career of Terry Sawchuk, his exploits and his agony.
The original book was launched at the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008. It has staying power and has been constantly in demand. This is the same great book but it now includes an introduction by Angie Abdou and a longer reflection by Ron MacLean as well as excerpts from the many reviews. Here are a few:
"
Night Work: The Sawchuk Poems . . . [has] bettered a slew of old boys'
tomes and put dynamic hockey writing back in the hands of the people."
- Dave Bidini
"Maggs's is the language of hockey-crusty and peppered with crudities,
but beautiful and, in the case of Sawchuk, haunting."-Kevin Mitchell, "pain penned in poetry,"
The StarPhoenix, Saskatoon
"Lovingly and obsessively researched, [Night Work] reads like a
combination sports bio and Greek tragedy." - Maurice Mierau,
Winnipeg Free Press
If you would like to interview Randy Maggs or review this edition of the book, please contact Kitty Lewis, General Manager, Brick Books at brick.books@sympatico.ca and I will be happy to connect you with the author and/or send you a copy.
See below for more details about the book. Randy will be travelling with the
March Hare festival to New York City (February 28), Toronto (March 1), Parry Sound (March 2) and Corner Brook (March 9).
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