The Burgess Shale: The Canadian Writing Landscape of the 1960s

Margaret Atwood’s works have long been a staple of language arts instruction, however, The Burgess Shale offers a unique opportunity to read her stance on the Canadian writing landscape. While this short book discusses many other Canadian writers, it tries to contextualize them within the broader society and values of the 1960s. Given the historical elements, this book would be perfect for helping Atwood fans connect to Canadian and Alberta arts history through her perspective. This work is best suited for established readers, as the vocabulary is rich. Because of its literary themes and references to authors of the period, an awareness of the writers and their works would enhance the reading experience. The book’s target audience would be avid readers or high school students who have an established relationship with Canadian literature.