User:CatherineStiles/Howard Norman

Many people think that Howard Norman is a canadian writer, this is because his first two novels, The Northern Lights and The Bird Artist, were set in Canada. Both of these books were nominated for the National Book Award. As a little kid, Norman said; "I spent a lot of time in bookmobiles and libraries. I went to four different elementary schools. Libraries were the one continuity. And from early on, through books, I projected a life I daydreamed north. This is makeshift psychologizing, but perhaps part of it was that such open, vast spaces, such a sense of mystery and severe, compelling landscapes, served to counteract the claustrophobia of an inwardly collapsing home life". Howard's home life was more complicated than others growing up. His father left and passed away in 1996, at that time Howard had not seen him in 20 years. His mother took care of other kids secretly to make ends meet for Howard and his brothers. His three brothers never comforted him and had no communication with two of them. His best friend, Paul, was the only person that Howard could turn to. Paul's family were also his safe haven, sadly Paul got sicks and passed away two days later from a rare blood disease.

Norman has a set in his novels that are usually in a remote village or small towns in Canada. "It is where my imagination, for better or worse, comes alive," Norman said. The canadian landscapes are harsh and brutal which reflect the mindset of their inhabitants in the villages. The themes in his books come from his rough childhood, having no money and no present father Norman would go into another dimension with the adventure stories of Jack London.