Maurice Vellekoop is the winner of the 2024 Toronto Book Award for his graphic memoir, I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together (Random House Canada) – the first graphic novel ever to win the prize.
Vellekoop’s book explores his journey to live authentically within a traditional family and the often-intimidating Toronto arts scene of the 1980s and ‘90s. With vulnerability, he depicts his experiences across Toronto from suburban Etobicoke to downtown’s dynamic neighborhoods, blending humour, insight and richly illustrated scenes.
Born in Toronto in 1964, Vellekoop is a graduate of Ontario College of Art (now OCAD University) and has had a 35-year career in international editorial and advertising art, zine and comic publications and art exhibitions. I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together is his first book.
I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together is a tribute not only to love but to longing, a cogent exploration of desire. Vellekoop’s yearning to live his best gay life conflicts with his traditional family, and with the often flighty and intimidating Toronto arts scene of the 1980s and 90s. With vulnerability and humour, Vellekoop shares his experiences against the backdrop of our city, whose intricate suburban and downtown auras he captures in graphic form. The memoir celebrates the complexities of friendship, the echoes of family history, the weight of self-confrontation, the necessities of exploration, fantasy and storytelling.
This year’s jury is composed of former winners or finalists of the Toronto Book Award:
Other finalists included:
Browse a Toronto Public Library reading list of the 2024 longlisted works, including the titles above.
