Qwerty

Qwerty is just as unique as its title, taken from the first six letters of a keyboard. It’s a University of New Brunswick publication, but not all of its contributors are from the school. In fact they’re from all over Canada, making the perspective as diverse as the content. The poetry is interesting, especially “gravity” and “self,” each exploring the idea of shape-shifting. The art is great too, especially the realistic drawings by Fernando Aquiar that possessed a slice of surrealism. My favourite aspect of this issue of Qwerty are the two short stories. The first by David Rachel called “Don’t They Know There’s a War On?” about a 5-year-old boy growing up during World War II. The language is straight from a five-year-old’s mouth. I really connected with Andy and felt as though I was hanging out with him while he watched the “splosions” and met his dad for the first time. “Pauline Who Left Smokecrest” by Sarah Roberts was another moving short story included in this zine. I enjoyed both works of fiction so much that I am looking forward to the next instalment of Qwerty. (Lara Rock)

litzine, 68 pages, $4, UNB English Department, PO Box 4400, Fredericton NB, E3B 5A3, [email protected]