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"The Orenda" had modest beginnings. Its first 20 pages were written on a flight from Vancouver to Toronto. Shortly after it was published, the novel won the 2014 Canada Reads award. 


Author Joseph Boyden has described it as the book he was "always meant to write," inspired by "my Jesuit blood, my Anishinaabe blood, my Indian blood." 


"The Orenda" explores the relationships of three different ethnic groups in 17th century Canada. Unlike his previous works, this novel was printed in nearly the same way Boyden first typed it out on the page. 


Boyden joins The Daily Circuit to talk about how his writing has evolved and a story that he described as part of his DNA.

Arts and Culture

Joseph Boyden drew on his own background for this novel about 17th century Canada.

Author's blood runs through 'Orenda'

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