Richmond, Now and Then: An Anecdotal History from the Eastern Townships [Paperback]

If a formal history is a four-lane highway, Nick Fonda says in his introduction toRichmond, Now and Then: an anecdotal history, his book is a meandering country road. The metaphor is apt. The stories in this book focus largely on the small town of Richmond in Quebec’s historic Eastern Townships. After offering a speculative overview of lower St. Francis River valley in pre-colonial times, the book takes the equivalent of a quick snapshot of Richmond as it is today.

“Nick Fonda has captured the essences of one of the most unique areas within Canada.” - Alistair MacLeod, novelist and winner of the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 2001 “Principals & Other Schoolyard Bullies tells the truth about school through these eclectic stories about the complicated lives of both students and educators, and a system that often purports to be about doing good, and ends up being something else entirely. Fonda’s characters are well-drawn, coming to life on the page with intelligence and imagination.” —Zoe Whittall, prize-winning poet and novelist and Giller finalist, Toronto

Nick Fondais a teacher, journalist, writer and town councilor. He has contributed to various newspapers and reviews, includingThe Montreal GazetteandThe Sherbrooke Record, and is the author of three books.