Stuart McLean 1948-2017

It’s certainly a sad day in the humour-writing world after learning that Stuart McLean, the three-time Leacock Medal winner, wonderful storyteller, and creator of the Vinyl Cafe had passed away. To me, he reflected, and perfected, a very Canadian sense of humour that was gentler, often self-deprecating, never mean, frequently moving, and always funny. He explored that terrain where tears meet laughter, and he did it very, very well. When I somehow won the Leacock Medal in 2008 for my first novel, I remember giving thanks in my impromptu acceptance speech for Dave and Morley’s quiet and uneventful year. You see, Stuart McLean did not have a Vinyl Cafe book out that year or I suspect he would have won the Leacock, not I. His legions of devoted readers and listeners are bereft today. I’m one of them.

Here’s the CBC piece that ran on The National last night, including a very brief reminiscence from me.