George Elliot Clarke: The Motorcyclist (novel)

160222_vr9rr_rci-m-clarke-cbc_sn635
George Elliot Clarke, poet, professor, novelist playwright, and now Parliamentary poet Laureate of Canada. His latest novel, just released, is loosely based on the life of his father. Photo Credit: CBC

By Marc Montgomery

George Elliot Clarke is a man of many words. Staunchly proud of his “africadian” roots in Nova Scotia, Clarke has gone from literary success to literary success.

His latest work is a novel loosely based on the life of his father. It’s called “The Motorcyclist”

George Elliot Clarke’s newest novel is loosely based on the life of his father, an erudite railway worker in 1950’s Halifax who sought to break free of the preordeined lifestyle and mould. © Harper Collins Canada
George Elliot Clarke’s newest novel is loosely based on the life of his father, an erudite railway worker in 1950’s Halifax who sought to break free of the preordeined lifestyle and mould. © Harper Collins Canada

Known primarily as a poet, Clarke is in fact Canada’s recently nominated Parliamentary poet Laureate. Playwright, literary critic, novelist, and Officer in the Order of Canada, he also won the 2001 Governor General’s Award for Poetry for his book, Execution Poems.

Now Toronto-based, and a professor of literature at the University of Toronto, he was until recently Toronto’s poet Laureate. With this appointment he becomes Canada’s seventh Parliamentary poet Laureate. duties include composing poetry for use in Parliament on occasions of state, sponsoring poetry readings, advising the parliamentary librarian on the library’s cultural collection and related duties at the request of the two Speakers or the librarian.

His latest novel however is based on the unique life of his father. A worker for the Canadian railway, his father was a dreamer who sought to break out of the societal constraints for a black man of the time.

Young, virile, and more educated than was the norm, he used his motorcycle as his escape from the limitation of his pre-determined place as a young black man in Canadian society.

Clarke says this is the dilemma for his protagonist.  “Carl Black” must decide  on the insecure and uncertain future of the bohemian biker, or the steady and sure future as a worker on the railway.

Clarke says it would have been a difficult choice then for a man with ambition, although as he says, less so today as there are so many more role models for young black men now.

A 1966 BMW R50, similar to the 1950’s era BMW owned by Clarke’s father, and by Carl Black, the protagonist in Clarke’s newest novel, The Motorcyclist* © Yesterdays, antique motorcycles
A 1966 BMW R50, similar to the 1950’s era BMW owned by Clarke’s father, and by Carl Black, the protagonist in Clarke’s newest novel, The Motorcyclist* © Yesterdays, antique motorcycles

2 Replies to “George Elliot Clarke: The Motorcyclist (novel)”

  1. Michael A. Lake says:

    George Elliot Clarke’s “The Motorcyclist” is a riveting exploration of societal norms and personal pursuits in the 20th century. The protagonist’s journey through racial and social landscapes is both enlightening and thought-provoking. For those who enjoy delving into narratives that explore personal and societal complexities, https://guanabee.com/university-learning-has-been-revolutionized-by-evolving-methods-and-strategies/ to explore more about academic perspectives on such literary works. 🏍️📖

  2. special info says:

    George Elliot Clarke’s novel “The Motorcyclist,” which is loosely based on the life of his father, offers a profound exploration into the societal constraints and choices faced by a young, educated black man in the 1950s. The protagonist, Carl Black, navigates through the dilemmas of choosing between a secure future as a railway worker and the uncertain, bohemian life of a biker. It’s a compelling narrative that not only provides a glimpse into a specific historical context but also resonates with the universal theme of the pursuit of dreams and freedom. For those who might be interested in exploring the themes of societal constraints, dreams, and rebellion in literature and need assistance in crafting essays or research papers. Let’s continue to delve into stories that challenge, inspire, and provoke thought about our own life choices and societal norms!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share

RCI • Radio Canada International

Luc Simard – Director of Diversity and Relations. Radio-Canada

Vidéos

Your opinion on Black History Month

Black History Month is only celebrated in North America and in the UK. Do you think it should be celebrated all over the world?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...