October 28 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
FreeJoin us for a reading from Joan Fletcher’s book The Data Raiders.
How far do the intergenerational and social effects of bullying extend?
It started with the suicide attempt of a tormented teenager. Among the circle of bystanders are driven, desperate, environmental researcher Sophie Tessier, and her former lover, CSIS agent Dylan Baranov, both survivors of bullying themselves. For Sophie the event is a personal crisis that engulfs her in a mission to uncover and deconstruct the roots of bullying and terrorism. But is someone watching her? A shadowy group of hackers has emerged, with an enigmatic agenda, and a level of skill that causes growing alarm in official circles. Every new exploit they perform is more relevant to her own purpose. She perseveres through identity theft and confrontation with a domestic terrorist to arrive at an answer more costly and more far-reaching than she ever imagined.
About Joan
A retired self-employed page-layout artist, Joan Fletcher has lived in Gibsons, B.C., since 2008 with her husband, whose family has deep roots on the Sunshine Coast. Born on the B.C. coast, she spent her childhood on northern Vancouver Island and her teenage years in Campbell River.
A survivor of childhood bullying and social isolation, she turned to books, education, and later community activism in search of connection and purpose. After studying social geography and philosophy at Simon Fraser University, she became interested in rebuilding the social infrastructure that supports healthy, resilient communities.
Her work in community development led to the creation of the Hastings-Sunrise Community Policing Association, which became a model for community policing in Vancouver. Through research, volunteer work, writing, and community organizing, she has dedicated herself to strengthening neighbourhood connections and creating the sense of belonging she once struggled to find.
Registration required.
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