Barefoot Gringo

In his final book, Canadian literary giant George Bowering muses on travel, friendship, food, and aging with his signature dry wit.

Bringing a seasoned and highly regarded Canadian voice to the travel writing tradition, George Bowering unveils a deep love of life, food, and all things Mexico. Drawing on his time spent as a foreigner in Latin America, Bowering traces his footsteps to linger on the joy found in the little things.

Barefoot Gringo, set against a Mexican backdrop, ventures beyond travel and into engaging discussions of literature, politics, the art of aging gracefully and humorously, and, of course, Bowering’s life as a writer. With his classic tongue-in-cheek humor, Bowering reflects on his growth, both in his personal and professional life, poignantly capturing his passion and appreciation for those who surround him and the world he inhabits.

An anthem to Bowering’s insatiable appetite for life, Barefoot Gringo provides snapshots of daily life in a small Mexican fishing village through Canadian eyes, rendering his memoir a love letter for travellers, writers, and long-time readers alike.

George Bowering is a major Canadian literary figure and one of the most prolific writers in the country. In November 2002 he was appointed the first Canadian Parliamentary Poet Laureate. Born and raised in the Okanagan Valley, George Bowering came to prominence in the 1960s, first as a founding editor of TISH at the University of British Columbia, which was the publisher of his first book. His third book was published bilingually in Mexico by El Corno Emplumado. He lives in Vancouver and is professor emeritus at Simon Fraser University.