Harbour Publishing, $24.95
Edited by Daphne Marlatt, BA’64, and Carole Itter
Buy it on:
Chapters/Indigo
Amazon – Canada | US
Opening Doors reflects on the appealing history of Vancouver’s East End neighbourhood of Strathcona. One area, the black ghetto of Hogan’s Alley, made this historic neighbourhood the most multi-ethnic and vibrant quarter in Vancouver for more than 100 years. Authors Daphne Marlatt and Carole Itter are two observant residents of the area, who collected stories as they closely watched the community change around them.
The book features some of the fascinating stories that have emerged from behind the neighbourhood’s brightly-painted doors. Throughout it, immigrants share their memories and stories of what it was like to grow up in Strathcona. One story even comes from Jimi Hendrix’s grandmother, who tells of how her rock legend grandson spent part of his childhood living there with her. It seems everyone has a story to tell in this colourful neighbourhood, which is also one of the city’s oldest. In Opening Doors, Vancouver’s history truly comes alive.
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