The 2018 Governor General's Literary Award winners write about borders

The seven English-language books that won the 2018 Governor General's Literary Awards take place in a range of times and landscapes from Sodom and Gomorrah, Victorian England,1980sWest Africa, present-day Canada, 1990s Americaand beyond. One theme that they all explore is the idea of borders: permeable, shifting lines that, when crossed, mark a change.

CBC Books asked each writer to reflect furtheron bordersand, in return, each has delivered an original work inspired by this theme. This is Borders, a special series presented in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts. Read on for links to each of the winners' pieces.

On Dec. 12, 2018 at 9 p.m. (9:30 p.m. NT), listen to a special episode on this series from CBC Radio'sIdeas.

Perseus/Andromeda/Medusaby Sarah Henstra

Sarah Henstrare-imagines the myth of the Greek hero Perseus, telling his story from the perspective of two significant women in his life: Andromeda, his wife, and Medusa, the Gorgon he beheaded to great fame.

Henstra won the Governor General's Literary Award for fiction for her novelThe Red Word.

• ReadPerseus/Andromeda/Medusa by Sarah Henstra

Spanning Bordersby Darrel J. McLeod

In this personal essay, Darrel J. McLeodreflects on the many ways he has stretched himself between two cultures first as an Indigenous boy at a primarily white school and later as an executive with the federal government.

McLeod won the Governor General's Literary Award for nonfiction for his memoir Mamaskatch.

• Read Spanning Borders by Darrel J. McLeod

This Face by Jillian Tamaki

In this comic strip by Jillian Tamaki, two lovers lay in bed. While one is fast asleep, the other lovingly examines their partner's every groove and feature.

Tamaki won the Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature illustration forThey Say Blue.

• Read This Face by Jillian Tamaki

Vanishing Pointby Jonathan Auxier

In this children's story by Jonathan Auxier, a young girl discovers an unusually sharp pencil with remarkable powers.

Auxier won the Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature text forSweep.

• Read Vanishing Point by Jonathan Auxier

Bare Witnessby Jordan Tannahill

Jordan Tannahill'sBare Witnessis a poetic rally cry to transcend the borders imposed upon land, upon a publicand upon the body.

Tannahill won the Governor General's Literary Award for drama forBotticelli in the Fire & Sunday in Sodom.

• Read Bare Witness by Jordan Tannahill

tally recountedby Cecily Nicholson

In this essay, Cecily Nicholson discusses her experiences visiting the Fraser Valley Institute for Women, a prison in B.C.

Nicholson won the Governor General's Literary Award for poetry forWayside Sang.

• Read tally recounted by Cecily Nicholson

Thoughts on Translationby Phyllis Aronoff& Howard Scott

In this essay, Phyllis Aronoff and Howard Scott share how translated literature transcends borders and brings diverse cultures together.

Aronoff and Scott won the Governor General's Literary Award for translation forDescent into Night.

• Read Thoughts on Translation by Phyllis Aronoff& Howard Scott