Whether they lived here or merely visited, Quebec City has been the setting for works by a number of great English-language writers, including Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and Margaret Atwood. Our Writings is an online interactive map, a walking tour, two exhibits and a series of events examining these writers and the places in our magnificent city which inspired them.
One of these sites is our very own building, which retains architectural evidence of its past as a municipal prison (1812-1867), a Presbyterian college affiliated with McGill University (1868-1902), as well as the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec’s magnificent library (1868-present). Visiting authors have been highly inspired by our venue and the city. In 2010, Louise Penny published her bestselling crime novel, Bury Your Dead, in which much of the action takes place at the Morrin Centre.
Click the points on the map to find out more, or view the full-screen version.
The Walking Tour
Louise Penny Postcard Wall
Thousands of people from all over the world flock to the Morrin Centre each year to visit the crime scene and sit in the library where Inspector Armand Gamache cracked the case. Visitors can share their Quebec City literary moment with all thanks to the Penny Wall collaborative exhibit displayed outside our library.
Our Writings Exhibit
The Our Writings multimedia installation allows visitors to discover the map with its literary landmarks in a new light, while showcasing tomorrow’s talent. As part of the initiative, we worked with different local schools to involve students in story writing and the production of an audiovisual display. The students wrote, then recorded, their 6-Word Stories. These stories and excerpts from literary work set or written in Quebec City, in both their written and audio format, are included in this audiovisual display which was launched at the Our Writings panel discussion event.
Quebec City’s Literary Heritage: A Bibliography. See the full listing of English-language works featuring Quebec City as a setting.
PARTNERS
This project is also made possible thanks to the support of Fondation Québec Philanthrope through its funds creators.