“In Where the World Was, Rosemary Sullivan investigates our planet with compelling aesthetic, biographical, and political engagement. Her reader cannot help but be both captivated and enthused. A truly engrossing travel experience.” — Jane Urquhart, author of A Number of Things
“Thank goodness for Rosemary Sullivan, a woman who runs towards life with courage and curiosity, recording what she encounters with ecstatic artistic attention — a life of journeys that cracked open her self and shaped her into one of Canada’s finest writers.” — Merilyn Simonds, author of Woman, Watching
“Few writers have done more to elevate the craft of literary nonfiction in this country than Rosemary Sullivan. Here, finally, are the stories behind the stories that inspired her art, won her acclaim, and cemented her reputation as an icon of Canadian literature. A swashbuckling journey through the life and mind of a writer obsessed with a simple question: ‘What drives a life?’ Her answer: loving obsession.” — Andrew Westoll, author of The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary
“From Canada to Russia, from Chile to Egypt, Sullivan’s inquisitive, intelligent, and compassionate eye explores for us the world of yesterday and also of today. This collection is literary journalism at its very best.” — Alberto Manguel, author of Maimonides: Faith in Reason
“Sullivan’s Where the World Was is a compelling and enlightening memoir that skillfully navigates the intersections of lives and stories. Her remarkable storytelling ability, coupled with her keen observations and insatiable curiosity, paints a vivid portrait of a truly fascinating individual. Whether the reader is an avid reader, an aspiring writer, or simply a seeker of captivating tales, this book is sure to leave a lasting mark.” — Atlantic Books Today
“Sullivan has led a full life, this is clear, but she keeps the focus on others in this book.” — The Miramichi Reader
“Readers may notice connections between this empathetic reporting and Sullivan’s more recent works, including Villa Air-Bel: World War II, Escape, and a House in Marseille. All along, a genuine conscientiousness has been evolving through her research and travel.” — Literary Review of Canada
“Combining elements of both a travel book and a personal memoir, Sullivan’s Where the World Was is a well-written and engaging account of a writer’s exploration of wide-ranging locations around the world and encounters with some of the people who have been important in her life.” — Winnipeg Free Press
