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The Word Bookstore

Coordinates: 45°30′29″N 73°34′31″W / 45.5079597°N 73.5751551°W / 45.5079597; -73.5751551
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The Word
Company typePrivate
IndustryBooks
FoundedMontreal, Quebec (1973)
Headquarters469, rue Milton
Montreal, Quebec
H2X 1W3
Key people
Adrian King-Edwards and Luci Friesen (co-founders)
WebsiteOfficial website

The Word Bookstore, or simply The Word, is an independent bookstore located in the McGill Ghetto in Montreal, Canada.

History

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The Word Bookstore was established by Adrian King-Edwards and Luci Friesen of McGill University in 1973 in their own apartment living room as an "underground" bookstore, with a photo of George Bernard Shaw in their front window.[1] In 1975, they moved the store next door to its current location on 469 rue Milton, a 19th-century brick building that was the site of the former neighborhood Chinese laundry for 70 years.[2]

The Word holds readings of poetic works and publication announcements of local authors and has been cited as an inspiration to Artie Gold and Sheila Fischman.[2][3] It is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Canada.

Specialization

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The Word Bookstore specializes in literature, philosophy and poetry. They also carry an assortment of books in such fields as drama, history, political science, theology, Eastern religion, and art. A section located at the front of the store beneath a photo of Leonard Cohen highlights the latest work of Montreal poets.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Gingras, Richard (2009), A la recherche de trésors/ In the Beginning, There was The Word
  2. ^ a b McGillis, Ian (2000), The Word Bookstore: A Tribute, Véhicule Press
  3. ^ Morrissey, Stephen (2007), Remembering Artie Gold, Montreal, Quebec: Coracle Press, ISBN 978-0-9687599-5-0
  4. ^ JONES, MATT (2009), Honouring the Word:The Quebec Writers' Federation tips its hat to the owners of the cramped, quirky McGill Ghetto bookstore, Montreal Mirror
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45°30′29″N 73°34′31″W / 45.5079597°N 73.5751551°W / 45.5079597; -73.5751551