Toronto is home to millions, including many talented, successful, and incredible women. Today, we’ll talk about one of them: Marian Engel, a renowned Canadian writer. Read more about the journey of this notable local figure on torontonka.com.
Education and Early Life
The future writer was born in Toronto in 1933. Marian’s childhood could hardly be called easy; she spent her early years in foster care before being adopted.
This Torontonian received her education at Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School. Engel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Languages from McMaster University and a Master of Arts in Canadian Literature from McGill University, where her thesis supervisor was the writer Hugh MacLennan.
In 1960, Engel was awarded a Rotary Foundation Fellowship, which allowed her to study French literature at the University of Aix-Marseille in France. However, after completing her studies, she did not return to Canada immediately. Instead, Engel began working as a translator in England. During this period, she also worked on an unpublished manuscript titled “Women Travelling Alone.”
While in England, Marian married Howard Engel. The couple returned to Toronto in 1964. They had twins, and Marian, while on maternity leave, began to actively pursue her writing.
Career Development
Marian began writing actively in 1968. Her first novel, “No Clouds of Glory,” immediately gained popularity among readers.
In 1976, her novel “Bear” was published, which won the Governor General’s Award for Fiction. She also wrote “Inside the Easter Egg,” “The Tattooed Woman,” and collections of short stories.
Overall, Engel’s work focused on everyday female experiences, exploring relationships between mothers and daughters, as well as questions of identity. Additionally, Marian Engel addressed the following themes in her works:
- Nature and human relationships: The writer used imagery from nature and often emphasized the connection between humans and the environment.
- Loneliness: Engel’s works featured many characters who experienced isolation and loneliness.
- Historical events: The writer also explored how the past influences the present.
- Culture: Themes of cultural belonging and the search for one’s own identity were also present in her writing.
Advocacy, Legacy, and Recognition
This Torontonian was also a fierce advocate for the rights of Canadian writers both nationally and internationally. Furthermore, Engel was the first Chair of The Writers’ Union of Canada, which was founded in 1973.
The writer passed away from cancer in 1985. After her death, the Writers’ Development Trust of Canada (now the Writers’ Trust of Canada) established the Marian Engel Award. This prize, initially $10,000, was presented annually to a Canadian woman writer in mid-career, often for those under the age of 45, to honour her contribution to literature.
Marian Engel’s most famous work, “Bear,” earned her the prestigious Governor General’s Award for Fiction in 1976, a highlight of her acclaimed career.
We hope this insightful article has helped you learn more about Toronto and one of its celebrated writers.