"The book captures so much of George’s deep love of the world, his appetite for living in it, and a profound joy and intelligence toward all he encounters, from the precious moments of interacting with the tiniest creatures he befriends, his joy in time spent with close friends, his observations and humorous take of the nastier side of human behavior to the grand displays of art, music, and literature … it’s all there."

Lee Trentadue, Galiano Island Books

"George’s final book is a devotional paean to the present that all acts of love create both within and among species … In what George Bowering alleges to be his final book, he actually manages to capture his generously compassionate love of the world in the austere prose of his favorite literary stylist, Ernest Hemingway."

Karl Siegler, longtime former publisher at Talonbooks

"I was dazzled by Barefoot Gringo, the sly humor and playful language. The Melanie O'Brien take-down was one of the funniest set pieces I've read in years and had me almost falling out of my chair. His comments on Super Bowl Sunday and US football were brilliant. He nailed it perfectly. And I loved his meditation on then and now and where and when. Very funny. The book ends beautifully."

George Galt, author of Line Breaks: A Writing Life

"Barefoot Gringo is delightful. Bowering is gregarious on the page, entertaining to follow, full of fun."

Jonathan Ball, author of Clockfire and Last Breeds

"Longtime readers of Bowering will likely find themselves in tears by the memoir’s conclusion."

Jason Wiens, Department of English, University of Calgary