📖 Overview
Don Gillmor is a Canadian journalist and author who has written extensively across multiple genres including fiction, non-fiction, and children's literature. His work spans investigative journalism, historical novels, and award-winning books for young readers.
Throughout his career, Gillmor has been recognized with numerous awards including the Pearson Writers' Trust Non-Fiction Prize for his 2019 memoir "To the River: Losing My Brother." His other notable works include "Canada: A People's History" and "The Desire of Every Living Thing," which explore aspects of Canadian identity and history.
Gillmor's journalism has appeared in major publications including The Walrus, Toronto Life, Saturday Night, and The Globe and Mail. His children's books, including "Yuck, a Love Story" and "The Christmas Orange," have become popular titles in Canadian children's literature.
His writing often examines themes of family relationships, Canadian culture, and personal identity while maintaining both literary merit and broad accessibility. Gillmor continues to contribute to Canadian literature and journalism while based in Toronto.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Gillmor's versatility across different genres and his ability to blend historical research with engaging storytelling. Online reviews highlight his clear writing style and thoughtful handling of difficult subjects, particularly in "To the River."
What readers liked:
- Direct, honest approach to personal tragedy in "To the River"
- Accessible writing style in historical works like "Canada: A People's History"
- Humor and relatability in children's books
- Deep research and factual accuracy in journalism pieces
What readers disliked:
- Some found pacing slow in historical works
- Several readers noted emotional distance in narrative style
- Children's books occasionally described as too subtle for target age group
Review metrics:
Goodreads:
- "To the River": 3.9/5 (102 ratings)
- "Canada: A People's History": 3.7/5 (89 ratings)
- "Yuck, a Love Story": 4.1/5 (47 ratings)
Amazon.ca average rating across all works: 4.0/5
Note: Limited review data available online compared to other authors of similar stature.
📚 Books by Don Gillmor
Yuck, A Love Story - A children's book following a young boy named Austin Grouper who discovers his feelings about love and cooties are changing when he develops a crush on a classmate.
To the River: Losing My Brother - A memoir examining suicide and grief through the story of the author's brother David, who took his life in 2005.
Canada: A People's History - A comprehensive historical account of Canada from pre-colonial times through modern era, based on the CBC Television series.
The Desire of Every Living Thing - A memoir exploring family history through the author's grandfather's journey across Canada in 1922.
The Christmas Orange - A children's holiday story about a young boy named Anton who receives an unexpected Christmas gift.
Mount Pleasant - A novel about a middle-aged Toronto man who discovers his inheritance is worthless and must confront financial and personal crises.
Long Change - A novel following the life of an oil industry worker named Ritt Devlin through the boom-and-bust cycles of the Alberta oil patch.
To the River: Losing My Brother - A memoir examining suicide and grief through the story of the author's brother David, who took his life in 2005.
Canada: A People's History - A comprehensive historical account of Canada from pre-colonial times through modern era, based on the CBC Television series.
The Desire of Every Living Thing - A memoir exploring family history through the author's grandfather's journey across Canada in 1922.
The Christmas Orange - A children's holiday story about a young boy named Anton who receives an unexpected Christmas gift.
Mount Pleasant - A novel about a middle-aged Toronto man who discovers his inheritance is worthless and must confront financial and personal crises.
Long Change - A novel following the life of an oil industry worker named Ritt Devlin through the boom-and-bust cycles of the Alberta oil patch.
👥 Similar authors
Pierre Berton
His focus on Canadian history and identity through accessible narrative non-fiction mirrors Gillmor's approach. His body of work combines journalism and historical writing while maintaining broad appeal to general readers.
Charlotte Gray She writes narrative non-fiction that explores Canadian history and biography with journalistic precision. Her work shares Gillmor's commitment to uncovering personal stories within larger historical contexts.
Wayne Johnston His novels blend historical elements with personal narratives about family and identity in a Canadian context. He approaches complex themes through storytelling that balances literary and popular appeal.
Robert Macfarlane His non-fiction works examine personal journeys and loss while connecting to broader cultural and environmental themes. His narrative approach combines investigative elements with memoir in ways similar to Gillmor's "To the River."
Kenneth Oppel His work spans both adult and children's literature with strong narrative foundations. His ability to write across multiple genres while maintaining consistent themes connects to Gillmor's diverse literary output.
Charlotte Gray She writes narrative non-fiction that explores Canadian history and biography with journalistic precision. Her work shares Gillmor's commitment to uncovering personal stories within larger historical contexts.
Wayne Johnston His novels blend historical elements with personal narratives about family and identity in a Canadian context. He approaches complex themes through storytelling that balances literary and popular appeal.
Robert Macfarlane His non-fiction works examine personal journeys and loss while connecting to broader cultural and environmental themes. His narrative approach combines investigative elements with memoir in ways similar to Gillmor's "To the River."
Kenneth Oppel His work spans both adult and children's literature with strong narrative foundations. His ability to write across multiple genres while maintaining consistent themes connects to Gillmor's diverse literary output.