Literature Matters: Where’s Walmart? The Commonplace in Canadian Literature
A public talk by Department of English faculty member Jessica McDonald
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 24
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Grace-Westminster United Church Social Hall, 505-10th St. E., Saskatoon
Free and open to the public
About this event
A talk by Department of English faculty member Jessica McDonald
Out of all possible settings, why would Canadian authors choose to write Walmart into their literary landscapes? This talk considers examples ranging from the predictable—Walmart as profit-making behemoth, taking over small cities and local economies—to the more experimental—as site of a steamy missed connection between strangers, backdrop to a surprising celebrity encounter, or cherished place to wander the aisles with a loved one. In addition to asking “why Walmart?”, the talk will explore how such literary works illuminate what’s at stake in these commonplace staples of our contemporary geography.
Literature Matters: Literature in the Community is a free public lecture series sponsored by the University of Saskatchewan Department of English.
Info: 306-966-1268 | english.department@usask.ca
Upcoming Events
Rounding (IV): moving towards collection
Sep 12, 2025 - Mar 31, 2026
An exhibition featuring works by Augustus Kenderdine, Joshua Bonnetta and other contributors
A Public Talk by Louise Bernice Halfe
Apr 1, 2026
This event is presented by the Department of English and the MFA in Writing program.