Legends of Vancouver   By: E. Pauline Johnson (1861-1913)

Legends of Vancouver by E. Pauline Johnson is a captivating collection of indigenous stories that beautifully weaves together myth and reality. Johnson, of Mohawk and English descent, delves into the rich folklore and legends of the Coast Salish people, offering the reader a unique perspective on the history and culture of the indigenous communities of Vancouver.

What stands out about this book is Johnson's ability to seamlessly blend legend and history, painting a vivid picture of the relationship between the land and its original inhabitants. Throughout the book, she tells stories of powerful spirits, mythical creatures, and the lives of legendary figures, all intertwined with the natural beauty of Vancouver and its surroundings.

One admirable aspect of Johnson's writing is her immense respect for the Coast Salish traditions and peoples. She treats the legends with deep reverence and ensures that their stories are told authentically, without exploitation or romanticization. The reader can genuinely feel Johnson's passion for indigenous cultures and her sincere desire to give voice to stories that deserve to be heard.

The language used in Legends of Vancouver is poetic and evocative. Johnson's descriptions of the landscape and its biological diversity transport the reader to the stunning shores of Vancouver, making it easy to understand why these legends have endured for generations. The stories themselves are woven with depth and symbolism, revealing profound insights into the values and beliefs of the region's indigenous people.

One minor drawback of this book is that some readers unfamiliar with indigenous folklore might struggle at times to fully grasp the nuances of the tales. However, Johnson's writing elucidates these stories with sufficient context and explanation, making it accessible to a wide range of audiences.

Overall, Legends of Vancouver is an essential read for anyone interested in indigenous culture, folklore, or the history of Vancouver. E. Pauline Johnson's beautiful writing and keen exploration of Coast Salish legends paint a vivid picture of the land and its original inhabitants. It is a book that not only educates but also inspires a sense of awe and reverence for the rich heritage of the indigenous peoples of Canada.

First Page:

I have been asked to write a preface to these Legends of Vancouver, which, in conjunction with the members of the Publication Sub committee Mrs. Lefevre, Mr. L. W. Makovski and Mr. R. W. Douglas I have helped to put through the press. But scarcely any prefatory remarks are necessary. This book may well stand on its own merits. Still, it may be permissible to record one's glad satisfaction that a poet has arisen to cast over the shoulders of our grey mountains, our trail threaded forests, our tide swept waters, and the streets and skyscrapers of our hurrying city, a gracious mantle of romance. Pauline Johnson has linked the vivid present with the immemorial past. Vancouver takes on a new aspect as we view it through her eyes. In the imaginative power that she has brought to these semi historical sagas, and in the liquid flow of her rhythmical prose, she has shown herself to be a literary worker of whom we may well be proud: she has made a most estimable contribution to purely Canadian literature... Continue reading book >>