An author from this province is taking home an award for his memoirs.
Wayne Johnston has been named the winner of the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour for his book “Jennie’s Boy”. Named after the prolific humourist, the award is given annually since 1947 to a book that uses humour to take on serious topics.
The story covers a six month period when Wayne was seven-years-old which saw him fighting off an illness while the Johnston family moved from house to house in the Goulds.
Johnston says he always hoped to win the award and it was a book he had been wanting to write for some time, but just couldn’t find the right structure.
He says it was fun to remember all of his family together. Johnston says talking about moving so often and his illness took a bit of an emotional toll, but he says if a piece of work doesn’t have that effect, it probably didn’t turn out how he wanted it.
Johnston is the second Newfoundlander in a row to take home the award. Rick Mercer’ was the 2022 winner for his memoir “Talking to Canadians”.
An official Leacock Congratulations to Wayne Johnston! Our #Leacock23 Winner!
Leacock seems to be embracing the Newfoundland spirit! @rickmercer@markcritch @AAKnopf pic.twitter.com/CIG2OFnn1J
— The Leacock Medal (@LeacockMedal) September 17, 2023
