• Age: 15 to 18
• Grade: 10 to 12

The eleven interconnected stories in The World is But a Broken Heart follow the Fitzpatricks, a blue-collar family constantly followed by bad luck. Dale, Kenny, and Patrick are tied to each other as only brothers can be. They antagonize each other, fight and argue. More importantly, they look out one for another in a sometimes-violent household. These stories do not shy away from difficult truths: parents who struggle to be parents; a mother who falls into despair; a father numbed by killing for a living; a family torn asunder by a violent death during a strike at a meatpacking plant; a life insurance salesman who preys on the recently bereaved; a grieving student who finds comfort in a relationship with a teacher; and finally, a grown man who makes amends with his estranged--and dying--brother. This coming-of-age collection of stories is a testament to the human spirit and the unbreakable bond between brothers.

Michael Maitland is a versatile writer, producer and director who began his career in Canada's Arctic, producing television programming and videos for Television North Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the private sector. After a short stint with CBC North, Michael completed an MFA in screenwriting from York University before moving to Victoria. He has written, directed, and co-produced several feature-length documentaries, including George Ryga: The Political Playwright; Judith Thomson: My Pyramids; Panych Plays; and Richard Margison: The Folk Singing Opera Star. Michael won the National Screen Institute Drama Prize, was a semi-finalist for the Chesterfield Film Company Screenwriting Fellowship Competition, a finalist for the Canadian Playwriting Competition, and former resident of the Canadian Film Centre. He currently works for the Ministry of Attorney General and when he is not writing he can be found riding his bike, swimming, or singing baritone with the Victoria Choral Choir. The World Is But a Broken Heart is his first book.

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