Author Emily St. John Mandel’s Exit Party a story of hope in dark times

If Emily St. John Mandel’s new novel Exit Party is in any way prophetic, Americans should be worried.

The B.C.-born, New York-based author’s bestselling fourth novel, 2014’s Station Eleven, chronicled a performing troupe in a post-pandemic world. The novel experienced a second wave of popularity when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, and when HBO’s Station Eleven miniseries premièred in late 2021.

Mandel launches Exit Party, her seventh novel, at McNally Robinson Booksellers’ Grant Park location tonight, where she’ll be joined in conversation by Winnipeg novelist Joan Thomas.

Published in September by HarperCollins, Exit Party sees Mandel once again working in the near future, in this case in a novel that features two timelines — one (dubbed the A-side in the novel) where the U.S. has fractured into a number of small countries following a civil war, and another (the B-side) where a singular, autocratic surveillance state has tightened its grip over its citizens.

Raise a glass for return of Half Pints

In an industry that has navigated its share of downturns and hardships, it’s nice to see one of Winnipeg’s original craft brewers returning to store shelves.

Winnipeg next stop on Martinook’s Meals with Marty series

A weekly lap around the NHL by Free Press hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe

Jordan Martinook is hungry for more.

And who can blame the Brandon-born product? He got the ultimate taste of success last year in the form of a Stanley Cup championship, and he’s now seeking a second serving this season. His Carolina Hurricanes are off to a stellar start, carrying a 6-1-1 record into Canada Life Centre on Saturday afternoon to face the 4-1-2 Winnipeg Jets.

However, in this week’s column, we’re actually talking about food. Martinook has decided to add a little more to his plate by creating a new TikTok series called Meals With Marty in which he takes folks along for the ride as he and his teammates dine around the NHL.

Maritime modern gothic fiction sees Free Press Book Club get spooky

The Free Press Book Club is leaning into spooky season with its October pick, The Witch of Willow Sound. Author Vanessa F. Penney will join the book club meeting Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. to read from her novel and answer questions from readers, the Free Press and co-presenters McNally Robinson Booksellers.

Penney was born in Newfoundland, raised in rural Nova Scotia and is based in Dartmouth, where she works in the non-profit sector. The Witch of Willow Sound is her first novel.

Published in September 2025 by ECW Press, The Witch of Willow Sound follows Phaedra (Fade) Luck’s journey to find her missing aunt, Madeline Luck. When Fade arrives to the secluded, forested area of Willow Sound where Madeline lives, she finds her aunt’s once quaint cottage has fallen into disrepair; the wood is rotting, it’s damp and the vibes are very off.

As Fade searches for more information about her aunt and where she could have gone, the local townsfolk are not exactly keen on her presence, let alone her questions. For decades, they labelled Madeline as a witch and blamed any tragedies or misfortunes on her, including an impending hurricane.

What's Up: Clara Hughes, Moving / Still: Animation, Rumble in the Burt, Send+Receive, Lotai as Chappell Roan, Scream & Halloween

Clara Hughes book launchMcNally Robinson Booksellers, Grant Park (1120 Grant Ave.)Tonight, 7 p.m.FreeOne of Canada’s most decorated Olympians returns to her hometown tonight to launch a new memoir about her healing journey, the roadblocks along the way and the search for new beginnings.Clara Hughes, who was born in Winnipeg and now lives on Vancouver Island, launches her new memoir Learning to Breathe at 7 p.m., when she’ll be joined in conversation by Shelagh Rogers, the former host of CBC Radio’s The Next Chapter.

Learning to Breathe is Hughes’s second memoir, following the publication of 2017’s Open Heart, Open Mind. Her latest sees the six-time Olympic medallist detail her use of psychedelic-assisted therapy to deal with physical and emotional ailments, navigating menopause, forging new relationships and more.

Hughes is the only athlete to win multiple medals in both the Summer and Winter Games (in cycling and speed skating, respectively), and is a member of both the Order of Manitoba and the Order of Canada. She’ll discuss Learning to Breathe with Rogers before signing copies at the store. The free event is also available to stream on McNally Robinson’s YouTube page.

— Ben Sigurdson

Possibility of Hellebuyck’s return grows each day as pay slips away

CHICAGO — Buckle up, folks. The next plot twist in the ongoing soap opera between the Winnipeg Jets and Connor Hellebuyck could be a doozy.

Let’s start with a few cold, hard facts. Or, if you prefer: “Previously on As the Hellebuyck Turns…”

The franchise goaltender, with five years remaining on a contract extension he willingly signed with Winnipeg in 2023, refused to report to training camp last month as he awaits word on a trade request made at the end of last season. He’s the first NHL player in more than a quarter century to essentially go on strike.

The Jets are under no obligation to move Hellebuyck, but have indicated they would try to accommodate him if another team meets their needs. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has made it clear he needs to “get this right” and wants a haul for a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and one-time Hart Trophy recipient.

Mayoral candidates share faves, test knowledge in Free Press culture quiz

It’s been said that politics is downwind of culture. However true that is, where politicians stand on hot-button cultural debates such as artificial intelligence, whether they prefer sports over arts and what local restaurants they patronize can offer a window into their sensibilities and outlooks.

The Free Press invited the four leading mayoral candidates among decided voters — according to a recent Abacus poll — to take part in a cultural quiz. (Kevin Klein, who was polling second, did not respond.) While most of the questions are lighthearted, they speak to some of the personalities behind the heated rivalries over budgets, buses, business taxation and beyond.

What was the last book you finished?

● Scott Gillingham: I’m almost done Winnipeg author Paul Vincent Jacuzzi’s book Blind Eyes. It’s a Dalton Drake novel.

Théâtre Cercle Molière opens season with hijinks-filled comedy

For the opening production of her programming tenure at Théâtre Cercle Molière, artistic director Marie-Ève Fontaine knew that she wanted to highlight the eternal work of her company’s namesake.

Bombers continue to be a mystery

Not even Mike O’Shea can put his finger on the 2026 edition of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

At times, his team has resembled a flaming dumpster. At others — including Saturday’s crucial 33-28 victory over the Calgary Stampeders — it has looked like a legitimate Grey Cup contender.

Despite all the twists and turns, the Bombers are now in position to clinch a playoff spot this week if they can beat the first-place Edmonton Elks (12-4) at Commonwealth Stadium on Friday.

“Every year is different, but this one feels a little odd,” O’Shea said with a laugh after Tuesday’s practice at Fort Garry Lions Field.

Tenants battling landlords find help in short supply from province

For nearly three years, Quincy Houdayer and Avery Helm repeatedly pressed their landlord to address plumbing failures, water damage and other maintenance problems at their West Broadway apartment, with records showing some issues persisted until the couple turned to the Residential Tenancies Branch.

Emails and text messages between the tenants, Clearwater Management and the RTB reviewed by the Free Press document recurring leaks and flooding, periods without heat or hot water, concerns about mould and basement conditions and repeated followups from the couple seeking repairs.

“Most of the experiences we’ve had with them can be boiled down to, like, they either are very dismissive about it, they act like it’s not their problem… or they will just fully, blatantly ignore you,” Helm said, adding that the only way to get Clearwater to respond was to threaten going to the RTB, a provincial government agency.

RTB data obtained by the Free Press also shows 13 orders involving the three-building complex at 193-197 Furby St. in 2026 alone. All but one favoured the tenant, while the remaining order ruled in favour of both the tenant and landlord on different items.

Free Press columnist transforms into killer clown for escape-room adventure

‘Would you ever try being a killer clown?”

This question came to me from my friend Lisa McMillan who, with her husband Chris, owns Killer Noob Escapes on Century Street. The escape rooms at KNE are immersive and narrative-driven and, oh yeah, horror-themed.

This seems like a good time to mention I don’t do horror. I hate clowns — who doesn’t? — and I don’t like being startled. I don’t visit haunted houses, mostly for the safety of others. My fight-or-flight reflex sometimes skews more fight, and I worry I’m a Fear Puncher.

But being on the other side of things? That, maybe, I could do. So I accepted Lisa’s challenge.

Riding the Unity Bus to rally support for Canada in Alberta

It’s a chilly Thanksgiving Monday morning on the eastern edge of Alberta. A sharp wind nips at exposed skin and drab grey clouds hang low in the sky. Such weather does not encourage high spirits, but Unity Bus volunteers can’t afford to let theirs falter: in just one week, on Oct. 19, Albertans will vote on a historic question on whether to remain in Canada.

In pictures: Spooktacular Sunday!

Designed for younger children who like their Halloween festivities spooky but not scary, Boo at the Zoo runs until October 31.

‘People count on this place’: Pembina Hwy. Giant Tiger latest location slated to close

Another Giant Tiger store in Winnipeg will shutter next year, leaving some area residents concerned about a lack of affordable groceries in the neighbourhood.

A dozen straight titles for Indigenous trainers at Assiniboia Downs

THAT’S a wrap!

The 69th season of live racing at Assiniboia Downs came to a close on Wednesday and for the 12th consecutive year the training title was won by an Indigenous horseman.

Trainer Jerry Gourneau of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota won his sixth trainer title at the Downs with a record of 54-45-43 from 280 starts and purse earnings of US$559,191.

And for the eighth straight year, Gourneau’s main owner, former champion race car driver Henry S. Witt, Jr. won the owner title at the Downs. He compiled a record of 46-41-40 from 242 starts and purse earnings of US$535,983.