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Mordecai Richler, 1931-2001 Writer - Biography
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Mordecai Richler on the steps of a house on St. Urbain Street, Montreal, circa 1970s

Mordecai Richler on the steps of a house on St. Urbain Street, Montreal, circa 1970s
The Gazette (Montreal)

Signature of Mordecai Richler
Canadian Museum of Civilization


Loud, abrasive, brilliant

Mordecai Richler wanted to be “an honest witness” to his time, his place.
He became one of the greatest novelists in Canada and the world. Born to an immigrant Jewish family in Montreal, he escaped early to the cultural hotbed of Europe. There he remained for 20 years until his work demanded a return to Montreal, the city of his inspiration.

He struggled with his craft. “I want to always go deeper, get closer,” he said.
His work — novels, essays, short stories, children’s books — was evocative
and provocative. Though he made enemies, for many readers around the world
his is the harsh, authentic voice of immigrant life in Canada.

quote I look at the newspapers and the sports results or write letters, but I come up and try every day. You can’t wait for the good days, you have to earn them, and it’s only by coming up here and sweating it out. quote

Mordecai Richler, published in 2004.

Signature of Mordecai Richler

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