July 26, 2013

Grant Lawrence announces new book: The Lonely End of the Rink

I’m thrilled to finally release the details of my new, upcoming book The Lonely End of the Rink: Confessions of a Reluctant Goalie.

I was once again close to writing a book about music, but just as was the case with the first book, Adventures in Solitude, I got distracted with another topic that I am very passionate (and conflicted) about: HOCKEY.

I’ve been writing this book for about three years, with a large majority of it written in France in 2011. I will happily be signing pre-orders through this site, probably starting in early September. I’ll let the press peeps take over from here for the full details of the book… please let me know what you think of the title, the cover (designed by Naomi MacDougall), and the subject, by leaving a comment. Thanks!

From the press peeps:

CBC’S GRANT LAWRENCE ANNOUNCES NEW BOOK “THE LONELY END OF THE RINK”

Grant Lawrence, the CBC Radio broadcaster, musician, and award-winning author, has announced the title, cover, and release date of his hotly anticipated new memoir.

“The Lonely End of the Rink: Confessions of a Reluctant Goalie” chronicles Grant Lawrence’s turbulent and often darkly hilarious relationship with the game of hockey.

Lawrence was an undersized child who wore thick glasses and knee-braces, and he understood, first-hand, what it was like to be in the attack zone of the hockey-obsessed jocks at school. For Grant, bullying and the violent game of hockey seemed to go hand-in-hand. Yet he was enamoured with the sport and its characters, especially the solitary goalies down at the ‘lonely end of the rink’.

Eventually, Lawrence discovered that playing goalie on a hockey team isn’t all that different from playing in a rock ‘n’ roll band. And that artistically-minded wimps can find just as much joy in the game as their meathead counterparts.

In this deeply revealing, incredibly witty memoir, the fast-paced narrative of “The Lonely End of the Rink” passes back and forth between tales of Grant’s turbulent and often violent ordeals with hockey jocks, and the three failed attempts at the Stanley Cup by his beloved hometown Vancouver Canucks.

“Despite all the bullying I was subjected to, I absolutely adored the Vancouver Canucks, especially those Cup-Run goalies of Richard Brodeur, Kirk McLean and Roberto Luongo. I have always had a fascination with that unique position and the ‘lonely end of the rink’, so it wasn’t much of a surprise that I became a goalie myself”.

“The Lonely End of the Rink” takes its name from a song by The Tragically Hip. Lead singer Gord Downie is an ex-goalie himself, and personally gave his blessing to Lawrence for the use of the title.

“The Lonely End of the Rink: Confessions of a Reluctant Goalie” will be published by Douglas and McIntyre in October 2013.

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(20) Comments

  1. xcanuck says:

    Congratulations, Grant.

    Like you, my relationship with hockey was partially a reaction to the bullying I endured as a kid (try being the only dark skinned kid in a Saskatoon classroom). While my playing days were very limited (I had no athletic ability), the sport drew me in and became part of my DNA.

    As a side note, I only played one year – when I was 7 yrs old. I didn’t come back to hockey on the ice until I read Bidini’s “Tropic of Hockey”. I got back on the ice at the age of 35 and haven’t looked back. I met Dave at NXNE a few years back and told him his book changed my life. Maybe yours will have a similar impact on others.

  2. allison green says:

    Title, cover are fab! Subject ~ hockey! couldnt be MORE CANADIAN. Im in!

  3. Grant Lawrence says:

    Thanks Allison! Lots of music in the book too…

  4. Grant Lawrence says:

    @xcanuck that’s a really inspiring comment, thanks! It’s save to say that Bidini’s hockey books were the prime influence on this one as well, and the prime influence for my first book as well! He’s definitely been a huge mentor for me.

  5. I can’t wait for this!!

    And Naomi did a great job of removing all the brands off your pads and equipment.

    Top shelf, Lawrence.

  6. Grant Lawrence says:

    you have a keen eye, TB3…

  7. Chris M says:

    Congrats, Grant! Can’t wait to get my hands on the book!

    I played D myself, back in the day, but I have to admit I was no shot-blocker. Let you crazy goalies handle that heat.

    What do you think about the Canucks sticking with Bobby Lu?

  8. Grant Lawrence says:

    Thanks Chris… I’m totally into the Canucks sticking it out with Bobby Lu!

  9. Brad Holt says:

    Hey Grant I loved adventures in solitude, very entertaining! I will be pre-ordering the new book as soon as it’s available. When is the release date? Also do you rent your Cabin in desolation sound or do you know of anyone that rents theirs?? Seriously I want to go there!!

    Cheers

  10. Grant Lawrence says:

    Hi Brad – thanks so much for reading “Adventures in Solitude”! The pre-orders will be available mid-September and the release date of the book is mid-October. As for renting in Desolation Sound, there isn’t any actual rentals within the park, but I would suggest the Desolation Sound Resort that rents really nice little cabins, or Y-Knot Cabins, or further out there… the Homfray Lodge. Good luck and thanks! -GL

  11. Jason Kurylo says:

    Looking forward to the book, good sir! Good on ya, giving Dave Bidini a run for his music/hockey scribe money.

  12. patmcp says:

    What’s the sticker price on the book?

    I’m thinking I’ll wait until you are here and save that hefty $10 shipping cost.

  13. PatMcP says:

    On further consideration, I’m going to wait until you gift one to me. 😉

  14. Grant Lawrence says:

    how cheap and how dare you?

  15. Will S says:

    Just finished reading your book. Liked it. Brought back memories of crushing the arch of your foot stepping on the plastic sticks in grade school floor hockey, and being out at camp (cottage or cabin for those not from Northern Ontario) listening to the Canucks lose game 7 against the Rangers, playing ball hockey as a kid behind a hotel parking lot, and not so fond memories of school bullies, and teaching myself goal tending at a later age (in my 20s).

    Only thing I wish there was more of in your book would more details on the players of The Flying Vees.
    Have to check out your recommended ‘Shadrin Has Scored for Russia’. Think the only book I have on the Summit Series is ‘Hockey Night in Moscow’.

    If you haven’t read it yet I would recommend the book Zamboni Rodeo; reread in recently and it’s better than I remembered.

    Greetings from a previous beer league shot blocking defensive defenceman and emergency backup goalie, and current afternoon scrub (pickup) hockey player – being one of they young guys there at age 45.

  16. Grant Lawrence says:

    Hey Will! Thanks for the comment… I wish there were more about our players too!

  17. Haruo Chikamori says:

    Grant, Three-timer here myself. The last run nearly killed me. And to see the Bruins raise it under our roof. That was a stake in the heart. Will look for your book. Worth every penny to go on my bookshelf. My wife is a major Canucks fan too, transplanted all the way from Louisiana.

  18. Grant Lawrence says:

    Thanks Haruo, hope you enjoy it! Yup, the Bruins killed my soul. I really get into that series in the book. Hope you and your wife enjoy it!

  19. Deb says:

    Love everything about the sound of your book(s), four responses to the comments, and your long suffering experiences as a Canuck fan.
    (I too was darn near destroyed by the 3rd one…….not sure if I am over it yet…..)
    I am coming to your book through the back door. Because of my age and stage of life (or something!), I missed out on the brilliance of the Tragically Hip…….am quietly discovering and loving them now ( I used to like Tim Buckley, Neil Young, R.E.M, Talking Heads, Bowie, Prince etc. and am finding elements of many favourites in G.D.
    Thinking he and the band are jus amazing. Anyway…..I have been listening to song after song…..finally heard ‘At the lonely end of the rink’……then saw article about your book, use of allusion to that song in your title..SO COOL..and here I am…….thank you!
    Is your book still widely available? I would love to buy a copy or two!
    Thank you.
    Deb

  20. Deb says:

    Ok! I now see that both of your books are hugely successful and widely available…..that you are not only a highly respected author, but also a broadcaster……(David Sedaris in a tux..

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