SCPL Online NonFiction Book Club discussion

We’re getting near to the end of the month! Hard to believe August is just a few days away.

I’d like to pay some attention to the illustrations in the book. Artist Scott McKowen, has established an international career specializing in theatre posters and book covers. The illustrations in “A Number of Things” are done in a technique called “scratchboard”, McKowen’ preferred style. Here’s a description from the Gallery Stratford website (https://goo.gl/1dAXVS): “[S]cratchboard is something of a throwback. The graphic opposite of black lines drawn on white paper, scratchboard is an engraving medium in which white lines are carved into a black surface with a sharp blade. Popular in the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s for book and newspaper illustration, scratchboard evolved from the great engraving traditions – wood engraving dating back to the 15th century, and steel engraving in the late 19th century.”

What did you make of the choice to have an artist illustrate Urquhart’s 150 “things,” rather than include colour photographs, which surely exist for many of the objects? Do you like the style? What does it contribute to the Urquhart’s stories?

If you’d like to see an artist making a piece of scratchboard art, check out the video I've posted in the video section! https://goo.gl/PrFMV8

~Holly

I felt this book was like walking through a museum, reading the cards and descriptions of each artifact of our history. I think the scratchboard illustrations added to that feeling, and added to the feeling of history that the author was trying to create.

I think if she had used modern colour photos of the objects - it would have killed the tone of the book she was trying to create.

I love this idea, Lillian! I agree, it is very much like walking through a museum. A lovely, quiet one, that allows for so much introspection.

I agree with Lillian. The scratchboard illustrations brought consistency to the images as well as making them feel like artifacts. I also think they made them more representative of things that many Canadians may have owned (I’m thinking of glasses, boots, the book strap/books, even the tea dolls). While Urquhart tied them to specific individuals, it is easy to imagine either your own ancestors or other faceless people with those items. That said I was watching the new CBC adaptation of Anne of Green Gables and I was really excited to see Anne using a book strap!

Heidi, I think Anne uses the book strap in the Megan Follows version as well. I believe it is in the seasonal montage scene. (I haven't watch that too many times, nope nope nope)

Haha I'm sure you're right. It's been awhile since I watched the Megan Follows version but I don't think there's ever "too many times"!