Picture a Canadian storyteller who traded skateboards for stories, crafting tales that grip your heart—meet Michael Christie! From the gritty streets of Vancouver to the lush forests of British Columbia, this former pro skateboarder turned award-winning author weaves narratives that explore family, resilience, and humanity’s connection to nature. His vivid prose and unique perspective have made him a standout in contemporary Canadian fiction.
Born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Christie’s journey to literary stardom is as dynamic as his characters. His works, including the acclaimed The Beggar’s Garden, If I Fall, If I Die, and the multigenerational epic Greenwood, have earned him accolades and a devoted readership. Let’s dive into the life and stories of this compelling voice.
The Making of Michael Christie
Michael Christie grew up in Thunder Bay, where the natural beauty and small-town vibe shaped his imagination. As a teenager, he chased adventure as a professional skateboarder, traveling globally and writing for skate magazines. After studying psychology at Simon Fraser University, he worked in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside at a homeless shelter, experiences that infused his writing with raw authenticity. In 2008, he returned to school, earning an MFA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia, setting the stage for his literary career.
Michael Christie’s Unforgettable Stories
Christie’s debut, The Beggar’s Garden (2011), a collection of linked short stories, brought Vancouver’s marginalized communities to life. Its poignant, darkly funny tales earned the Vancouver Book Award and nominations for the Scotiabank Giller Prize and Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize. Critics praised its unflinching yet tender portrayal of human struggles.
In 2015, If I Fall, If I Die, his first novel, introduced Will, a boy venturing into the world beyond his agoraphobic mother’s home. This coming-of-age story, laced with skateboarding’s rebellious spirit, was longlisted for the Giller Prize and hailed as a New York Times Editors’ Choice. Christie’s kinetic prose captures the thrill and danger of youth.
His 2019 novel, Greenwood, is a sweeping saga spanning 1908 to 2038, structured like tree rings to trace a family’s secrets against environmental collapse. Longlisted for the Giller Prize and winner of the Arthur Ellis Award, it’s a cinematic blend of history, ecology, and human connection, celebrated for its emotional depth and timely themes.
Why Michael Christie Matters
Michael Christie’s work resonates because it bridges the personal and universal. His stories—rooted in his diverse experiences as a skateboarder, carpenter, and shelter worker—illuminate the lives of outsiders and the fragility of our world. Greenwood’s environmental focus has sparked conversations about climate change, while his empathetic storytelling inspires readers to see beauty in struggle. As a Canadian author, he’s redefining literary fiction with heart and grit.
- Born: 1976, Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Key Works: The Beggar’s Garden (2011), If I Fall, If I Die (2015), Greenwood (2019)
- Awards: Vancouver Book Award, Arthur Ellis Award, multiple Giller Prize longlistings
- Fun Fact: He built his own timber-frame home on Galiano Island!
Snag Greenwood or If I Fall, If I Die and dive into Michael Christie’s vibrant, soul-stirring world of fiction!