Dave Godfrey

Rebecca Godfrey was a Canadian novelist and non-fiction writer born in 1967. After working as a journalist and editor, she began publishing books. Her debut novel, 'The Torn Skirt' (2001), was recognized for its distinct voice and received critical attention. Godfrey gained significant acclaim for her second book, 'Under the Bridge' (2005), which investigated the murder of Reena Virk. This work earned a prestigious non-fiction award and was later adapted for a television series. She also explored the lives of influential and unconventional women through her writing and curated an art exhibition titled 'Girls in Trees'. Godfrey taught creative writing, focusing on themes like anti-heroines. Her final novel, 'Peggy', was published posthumously in 2024, completed by a friend. Godfrey passed away in 2022 at the age of 54.

Rebecca Godfrey established herself as a writer with a focus on compelling narratives, often centered around unconventional or influential figures. Her first novel, 'The Torn Skirt,' published in 2001, garnered attention and was seen as a unique contribution to contemporary fiction. Her subsequent work, 'Under the Bridge' (2005), delved into the true crime genre, investigating the murder of Reena Virk. This book brought her significant recognition, including a National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction, and was optioned for a film adaptation. Godfrey continued to explore the lives of notable women, interviewing figures like Robyn Doolittle and examining the legacy of Hannah Arendt through her writing. Her teaching at Columbia University also reflected these thematic interests, with a seminar on Anti-Heroines in literature influencing her students.

Beyond her writing, Godfrey engaged with the arts through curation. In 2016, she organized the 'Girls in Trees' exhibition at Instar Lodge, featuring a diverse group of artists and writers. The accompanying publication explored themes of girlhood and nature through various artistic mediums. Godfrey was awarded a MacDowell Colony Fellowship, during which she worked on her third novel, which explored the early life of art patron Peggy Guggenheim and her connection to Samuel Beckett. This novel, later titled 'Peggy,' was published posthumously in 2024, with her friend Leslie Jamison completing the manuscript from Godfrey's notes. The adaptation of 'Under the Bridge' into a limited series for Hulu was also underway prior to her death.