TORONTO, October 18, 2001 -- David Adams Richards, one of Canada’s most distinguished writers, will read from his Giller Prize-winning novel Mercy Among the Children (Doubleday, 2000) at York University, Thursday, October 25, 7:30 p.m.

Richards’ novel, set in his native New Brunswick, tells the story of Sydney Henderson and his son Lyle. When Sydney is accused of killing a small boy, Lyle sees his father’s refusal to defend himself as cowardice and realizes that he must defend his family’s honour.

Richards is also the winner of the Governor General’s Awards for his compelling fly-fishing memoir Lines on the Water (Doubleday, 1998) and his novel Nights Below Station Street (1988), making him one of only three Canadians to win for both fiction and non-fiction.

He has received a Gemini Award for script writing for Small Gifts, a made-for-TV Christmas movie; the Alden Nowlan Award for Excellence in the Arts and the Canadian Authors Association Award for his novel Evening Snow Will Bring Such Peace (McClelland & Stewart, 1990).

Richards’ reading is part of an innovative first-year English course which introduces students and avid readers to some of the best contemporary Canadian writers and poets.

The series is sponsored by York's Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies, with the support of the Canada Council. Richards’ reading will take place in Stedman Lecture Hall ‘D’, York University, 4700 Keele Street.

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For further information, please contact:

Prof. John Unrau	Ken Turriff
Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies	Media Relations
York University	York University
416-736-2100, ext. 33893	416-736-2100, ext. 22086
junrau@yorku.ca	kturriff@yorku.ca

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