Picture a Canadian storyteller who spun tales from the gritty streets of Montreal to the wilds of the Northwest Territories—meet Trevor Ferguson! Born in 1947, this literary chameleon, also known as crime novelist John Farrow, has crafted eleven novels and four plays that blend raw authenticity with masterful storytelling. His journey from railway laborer to acclaimed author is as captivating as his books.
The Making of Trevor Ferguson
Born in Seaforth, Ontario, on November 11, 1947, Trevor Ferguson moved to Montreal at age three, growing up in the tough Parc-Extension neighborhood. As a teen, he ventured to Canada’s northwest, working on railway gangs and writing by night in bunkhouses. These gritty experiences shaped his vivid, grounded narratives. In his twenties, he roamed Europe and the U.S., later driving a taxi in Montreal by night to fund his writing, a hustle that led to his debut novel in 1977.
Trevor Ferguson’s Unforgettable Stories
Ferguson’s novels are a tapestry of literary depth and visceral energy. His first novel, High Water Chants (1977), earned praise for its poetic intensity, with critic Dennis Lee calling it one of the best in the language. Onyx John (1985) skyrocketed his reputation, hailed by Leon Rooke as one of the twentieth century’s finest novels and later a bestseller in France. The Timekeeper (1995), a tale of redemption set in the rugged north, won the Hugh MacLennan Prize and inspired a 2009 film. Under his pseudonym John Farrow, Ferguson penned gripping crime novels like City of Ice (1999), a Montreal-set thriller lauded by The Vancouver Sun as possibly Canada’s best book. His style—rich with character-driven plots and intuitive storytelling—bridges literary and genre fiction, earning global acclaim.
His plays, including Long, Long, Short, Long (2002), a Masque-nominated drama about railway workers, showcase his knack for dialogue and emotional stakes. Whether crafting sprawling sagas or taut mysteries, Ferguson’s work pulses with themes of human struggle, redemption, and the clash between wilderness and urban life.
Why Trevor Ferguson Matters
Trevor Ferguson’s impact lies in his ability to capture the soul of Canada—its landscapes, its underdogs, and its complexities. His novels, translated into over twenty languages, have resonated from Quebec to France, where he’s celebrated as a literary giant. As a teacher at Concordia University, he’s mentored countless writers, passing on his intuitive approach to storytelling. His dual career as a literary novelist and crime writer under John Farrow has redefined Canadian fiction, proving that genre boundaries are no match for raw talent.
- Born: November 11, 1947, Seaforth, Ontario
- Key Works: High Water Chants, Onyx John, The Timekeeper, City of Ice (as John Farrow)
- Awards: Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction; Honorary Doctorate, Vancouver School of Theology (2019)
- Pseudonym: John Farrow for crime novels
Snag The Timekeeper or City of Ice and dive into Trevor Ferguson’s thrilling, soul-stirring world!