Bodies of Art, Bodies of Labour

"A beautiful, hilarious, and revelatory look at working-class culture in Nova Scotia. From the music, to the humour, to the heartache, to the myths, Beaton celebrates the community from which her imagination springs. She shows us the value of art coming from far-flung and idiosyncratic corners and communities of Canada. As with anything she touches, Beaton's honesty and candour makes this an unforgettable and illuminating read." Heather O'Neill, author of Wisdom in Nonsense
"[Bodies of Art, Bodies of Labour] is is a poignant and funny exploration of class and art." Alberta Views, July/August 2025
# 4 on Edmonton Non-fiction Bestseller list, March 16, 2025
"Part of the book’s charm is that it doubles as a short survey of Cape Breton’s literary canon: there’s Rita Joe, the Mi’kmaw poet; internationally acclaimed short story writer Alistair MacLeod; Lynne Coady, the 'gritty' author from Port Hawkesbury. But her book is really about the working class and its relation to art. Beaton’s background helps her navigate this tricky subject: she’s from Cape Breton, a region with a distinct culture and a working-class background that often acknowledges itself as such." Adam McPhee, The Temz Review, June 2025 [Full review at https://www.thetemzreview.com/mcphee-31.html]