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The Lesser Blessed

Richard Van Camp's novel is a coming-of-age story set in Canada's North.

Richard Van Camp

CBC Books Posted: Feb 22, 2017 1:37 PM EST | Last Updated: January 8, 2020

Set in Fort Simmer, a fictional community in the Northwest Territories based on Richard Van Camp's hometown of Fort Smith, The Lesser Blessed follows a Dogrib teenager named Larry through his high school experience. In many ways, Larry is a typical 16-year-old boy who loves Iron Maiden and carries a flame for a local girl. But Larry is also haunted by his past: an abusive father, an accident that claimed the lives of several of his cousins, and the ill effects of sniffing gasoline. A new friendship with Johnny, a Mtis newcomer to town, may help put him on the path to his future.

In 2001, The Lesser Blessed won the German Youth Literature Prize. A film adaptation, released in 2013, garnered a nomination for best adapted screenplay at the Canadian Screen Awards.

The Lesser Blessedis on theCanada Reads2020 longlist.The final five booksand their championswill be revealed onJan. 22, 2020.

Richard Van Camp is a celebrated Tlicho writer who has written over 20 books across multiple genres. His other books include the graphic novelA Blanket of Butterflies,the short story collectionMoccasin Square Gardensand the children's booksLittle YouandWe Sang You Home.

From the book

I remember. It is the summer of my crucifixion. I try so hard to be pure; I take two baths a day. At least underwater, I can hear my heart beat. The skin of my back dries. Cracks. I make the noise of splitting wood when I walk and my scent is of something crumbling.

I scratch with a knife the word NO a hundred million times on the back of all the mirrors in our house, so my mother sees that I say NO to her, so my mother sees that I say NO to my father, so my mother sees that I say NO to the world, and to the acts unforgivable.

I walk out to the road that leads to Edzo and Yellowknife. I stand daringly close. I wave to the truckers who blare their horns. I am still a child and comfortable waving to strangers.

I see a therapist who asks me to draw how I see myself. I hand in a picture of a forest.

He looks closely, says there is no one. I say, "Look, there. I am already buried."

There is NO a hundred million times on every rock, tree and leaf...

From The Lesser Blessed by Richard Van Camp 1996. Published by Douglas & McIntyre.

Interviews with Richard Van Camp

Richard Van Camp on film 'The Lesser Blessed' screening in Yellowknife

12 years ago

3:48

Author Richard Van Camp speaks to CBC North host Kate Kyle about the screening of the film based on his book 'The Lesser Blessed'.

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