The Word Bookstore

The Word
Company typePrivate
IndustryBooks
FoundedMontreal, Quebec (1973)
Headquarters469, rue Milton
Montreal, Quebec
H2X 1W3
Key people
Adrian King-Edwards and Luci Friesen (co-founders)
WebsiteOfficial website

The Word Bookstore, or simply The Word, is an independent bookstore located in the McGill Ghetto in Montreal, Canada.

History

The Word Bookstore was established by Adrian King-Edwards and Luci Friesen of McGill University in 1973 in their own apartment living room as an "underground" bookstore, with a photo of George Bernard Shaw in the front window.[1] In 1975, they relocated the store to its current address at 469 rue Milton, a 19th-century brick building that had served as the neighborhood Chinese laundry for 70 years.[2]

The Word holds readings of poetic works and publication announcements of local authors and has been cited as an inspiration by Artie Gold and Sheila Fischman.[2][3] It is also a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Canada.

Specialization

The Word Bookstore specializes in literature, philosophy and poetry. There is also an assortment of books in such fields as drama, history, political science, theology, Eastern religion, and art. A section located at the front of the store beneath a photo of Leonard Cohen shows the latest work of Montreal poets.[4]

References

  1. ^ Gingras, Richard (2009), A la recherche de trésors/ In the Beginning, There was The Word
  2. ^ a b McGillis, Ian (2000), The Word Bookstore: A Tribute, Véhicule Press
  3. ^ Morrissey, Stephen (2007), Remembering Artie Gold, Montreal, Quebec: Coracle Press, ISBN 978-0-9687599-5-0
  4. ^ JONES, MATT (2009), Honouring the Word:The Quebec Writers' Federation tips its hat to the owners of the cramped, quirky McGill Ghetto bookstore, Montreal Mirror

45°30′29″N 73°34′31″W / 45.5079597°N 73.5751551°W / 45.5079597; -73.5751551