The Giller Prize for Canadian Literature: In Memory of Doris Giller

The Giller Prize was first established in 1994 by Jack Rabonvitch. Rabonvitch established the award in honour of his deceased wife, Doris Giller. The Giller Prize is a testament to Canadian literature. It preserves the character of an amazing Canadian literary figure. It also serves to embrace the growth and change in Canadian literature since the award was first established. The year of 2003 is an important one for the Giller Prize in that it marks the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Giller Prize, and the death of literary figure Doris Giller.

Doris Giller made her mark in the Canadian literary world. It is evident through her success that she had high aspirations, which is why she "rose to be a reporter and editor at three of Canada's major daily newspapers" ("Literary Awards: The Giller Prize"). She began her literary career in 1963 when she joined the staff of the Montreal Star. Giller climbed the ladder at the Montreal Star by establishing herself as the first female Entertainment Editor of the paper, as well as acting as an Israeli liason for the Star during her stay in Israel. Giller's literary career only advanced from that point on. In 1981 she became Review Editor for the Montreal Gazette, and even went as far as establishing her own "new" Book Review section. In 1985 Doris Giller and her husband, Jack Rabonvitch, moved to Toronto, and in 1988 Giller joined the team at the Toronto Star. Giller established her own column at the Toronto Star, which was titled 'Reading Habits,' and which also became a well-known part of the Toronto Star. The death of Doris Giller on April 25^th, 1993 from cancer was a devastating loss to the Canadian literary world. However, although Doris Giller did pass on, her legacy will continue to live on, if not through her amazing literary contributions, then most certainly through her husband Jack Rabonvitch's establishment of the Giller Prize.

Jack Rabonvitch, the founder of the Giller Prize was born, raised and educated in Montreal. Rabonvitch established the Giller Prize with the support and cooperation of friends, such as Mordecai Richler, Alice Munro, and David Staines. Rabonvitch established the Giller Prize in memory of his deceased wife, "and to enhance marketing efforts in bringing these books to the attention of all Canadians" ("The Giller Prize"). Rabonvitch was an active member on the Board of the Princess Margaret Hospital where he aided in planning and assisting the completion of the new hospital in 1993. The new Princess Margaret Hospital, which is located on University Ave., in Toronto is now "the most complete and comprehensive cancer care centre in Canada" ("The Giller Prize"). Jack Rabonvitch is presently on the committee for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, and in 1999 was awarded 'Man of the Year' by MacLean's Magazine, which can only be deemed a worthy title considering his continuous contributions to Canada and his undying dedication to his deceased wife.

The Giller Prize itself is an award of $25,000, which is also accompanied by a bronze statue designed by the well-known artist Yehouda Chaki in an attempt to preserve the very essence of Doris Giller. The bronze statue is not actually meant to be Doris Giller, but Chaki says that, "she was the inspiration for it. I wanted to capture the strength of her personality and her determination in the face of suffering" ("The Giller Prize"). The Giller Prize was founded in 1994, and is awarded annually to the author of the best Canadian novel or short story collection. An appointed jury is first used to select three to five books to comprise a shortlist, which is announced in October. In November, a ceremony is held in Toronto to award the honour of the Giller Prize to the worthy author. The 2003 shortlist for the Giller Prize consists of authors Margaret Atwood, John Bemrose, John Gould, Ann-Marie MacDonald, and M.G. Vassanji, and on Tuesday, November 4^th, at a ceremony in Toronto's Four Seasons Hotel the winner of the 2003 Giller Prize will be announced.

Works Cited:

"Literature Awards: The Giller Prize." J.M. McElligott, 2003. http://www.literature-awards.com/giller_prize.htm>.

"The Giller Prize." http://www.thegillerprize.ca/home.asp>.