A book I have become obsessed with is Denison Avenue, a short novel by Christina Wong, illustrated by Daniel Innes. The format itself is groundbreaking, as one side of the book is the novel in text, and the other side of the book is inked artwork retelling the novel’s story. The text in the novel is fascinating in its format, as there is the use of font size, spacing, and gradation variation to further immerse the reader in the experience. The artwork side is a series of scenes, depicting the setting of Toronto’s gentrifying Chinatown, in tremendous detail and artistry. The story itself is such an important piece of Canadiana, reflecting the experiences of a Chinese Canadian immigrant aging in a place that wants to move on without her. It explores grief, aging, classism, racism, gentrification, and provides essential representation for the rarely spoken about elder Chinese woman in Canada. It is an incredible piece of art and storytelling, and should be on every reading list!
— Judith Lam Tang is a Chinese Canadian in Edmonton, Alberta. She writes about social and climate justice at judithlamtang.com. Her essays have appeared in The Globe and Mail and EPL’s Capital City Press Anthology. Her forthcoming nonfiction book, Muted Colours, is scheduled for publication with Dundurn Press in 2027.
You can read Judith Lam Tang's story "Lessons from the Day the House Burned Down" in Issue 304 (Summer Creative Nonfiction 2025). Order the issue now:
Order Issue 304 - Summer Creative Nonfiction 2025 (Canadian Addresses)
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