The House of All Sorts

The House of All Sorts chronicles Emily Carr's experiences as a landlady in Victoria, British Columbia during the 1910s. Through connected vignettes and stories, Carr documents her struggles to maintain an apartment house while pursuing her art career. The book presents a series of encounters between Carr and her tenants, from newlyweds to elderly boarders to troublesome pet owners. These real-life episodes reveal the challenges of managing both property and people while trying to make ends meet in early 20th century Canada. The narrative alternates between moments of humor and hardship as Carr balances her duties as landlady with her true calling as a painter. Her observations of human nature and keen eye for detail bring each character and situation to life. Beyond its surface as a memoir of tenant-landlord relations, the book explores themes of artistic sacrifice, the conflict between practical obligations and creative pursuits, and one woman's quest for independence in a changing society.

Readers appreciate Carr's honest portrayal of her experiences as a landlady in Victoria, BC. Multiple reviews note her sharp observations of human nature and dry humor when describing tenant interactions. Readers connect with her descriptions of financial hardship and the challenges of balancing art with making a living. Several mention the book provides insight into Carr's development as an artist during a difficult period. Common criticisms include the repetitive nature of tenant stories and Carr's occasionally harsh judgments of others. Some readers find her tone bitter or complaining. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (82 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (12 ratings) Sample reader comments: "A fascinating glimpse into the realities of being a female artist and landlord in early 1900s Victoria" - Goodreads reviewer "The stories become monotonous after a while" - Amazon reviewer "Her wit and sharp observations make even mundane encounters entertaining" - LibraryThing review

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🏠 Emily Carr wrote this memoir based on her 15-year experience as a landlady in Victoria, BC, where she ran a small apartment building to support herself while pursuing her art career. 🎨 During the period chronicled in the book (1913-1928), Carr kept several pets in the building, including a monkey named Woo, who features prominently in her stories about tenant life. 📝 The book provides rare insights into early 20th-century Victoria and the challenges faced by single, working women who owned property during this era. 🏘️ The actual building, known as "The House of All Sorts," still stands at 646 Simcoe Street in Victoria's James Bay neighborhood. ✍️ Carr wrote this book late in her life, publishing it in 1944, just one year before her death, when she had already achieved recognition as one of Canada's most important artists.