Kim Moritsugu

Moritsugu, Kim

Kim Moritsugu, writer (b at Toronto, Ont 14 Aug 1954). Moritsugu grew up in Toronto and stayed in the city to earn Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Toronto. She worked in a corporate setting for fifteen years after completing her studies, after which she decided to quit her job, take writing courses and, as she says, start "on the tortuous path to becoming a published novelist." She always loved engaging, enjoyable books and wanted to create those kinds of books for others. Moritsugu loves good food, musical comedies and, in her words, "moving beyond racial/ethnic categorization and stereotyping towards a unique identity as an individual." She incorporates aspects of these interests into her work. Moritsugu teaches creative writing at the Humber School for Writers, writes freelance reviews and essays for various newspapers and magazines, writes a food blog, and leads walking tours for Heritage Toronto. Her work is characterized by wit, resonance, use of irony and her ability to incorporate light-hearted humour into her writing, especially while focusing on specific characters rather than the stereotypes that surround their visible or cultural backgrounds.

Kim Moritsugu's first novel, Looks Perfect (1996), is an edgy romantic comedy about not being defined by appearances. Her second novel, Old Flames (1999), is a touching work that captures the presence of Broadway and the passion of realizing one's dreams. It explores the choices we make in life and the friendships that can flower unexpectedly. Moritsugu's third novel, The Glenwood Treasure (2003), takes a different route: following the conventions of the English crime novel, with its skilful questioning that leads the reader along, this novel is suspenseful without letting go of the comic flair Moritsugu is known for. CBC Radio One's Between the Covers program serialized this work. The Restoration of Emily (2006) is Moritsugu's fourth work. It is a humourous account of motherhood and middle age, from the perspective of a character whose structured existence begins to crumble around her.

Kim Moritsugu's works have been widely acclaimed: Looks Perfect was shortlisted for the Toronto Book Award, and The Glenwood Treasure was a finalist for the Arthur Ellis Award for best crime novel.