Susan Swan (1945- ), writer, was born in Midland, Ontario, and educated at Havergal College and McGill University (B.A. in English, 1967). Swan worked as a journalist with the Toronto Telegram, wrote for magazines, and was involved in theatre writing and performing in the 1970's. Today she divides her time between writing and teaching in the Humanities department at York University. Swan's three novels: The Biggest Modern Woman of the World (1983, shortlisted for a Governor General's Award), The Last of the Golden Girls (1989), and The Wives of Bath (1993), display her powerful grasp of the subtleties of the social construction of gender. Among others, Swan has also published two collections of short stories: Unfit for Paradise (1982), Stupid Boys Are Good to Relax With (1996) and some theatre scripts: The Collaborators (CBC, 1974), Queen of the Silver Blades (1975), Writing Vs. Dance (1977), Down and In (1978), True Confessions of the Female Organs (1978), Poetry F.M. (1979), X's and O's on the Longest Day of the Year (1983), Moral Passion (1984), and Futurework (TVO, 1984).
The fonds consists of: manuscripts of Swan's published and unpublished novels, short stories, and plays, including: Queen of the Silver Blades, Down and In / Self Pity, Perfect Perfect Perfect, The Biggest Modern Woman in the World, The Last of the Golden Girls, The Wives of Bath, and Stupid Boys Are Good to Relax With; Notebooks (1970-1991) and correspondences; research files and academic files; sound recordings of Swan dictating The Wives of Bath; and posters and photographs.
Finding aid available.
Access to be determined.
Inventory number: F0113