Review: Scout Magazine

Vancouver's Scout Magazine included this lovely review in their Spring Book Club. Thanks to Thalia Stopa for this!

Probably my favourite short story collection of the year, so far, My Thievery of the People: Stories (published at the beginning of March 2025) is imbued with qualities both folkloric and darkly magical, as well as violent and adamantly political, featuring heroines aplenty. Speaking of the latter: Montreal based author Leila Marshy has an impressive, varying resume of experience to cull content from, having worked in film, radio, app design, political organization, farming (specifically chickens), and baking; with notable stints working abroad for the Palestinian Mental Health Association (Cairo) and at home for Medical Aid for Palestine. It’s no wonder that her stories are so expansive in scope and setting, stretching from Egypt to Las Vegas to Russia, Newfoundland and Quebec; from the ceaseless labour of mixing, kneading and baking dozens of cookies in “Ramadan”, to sword dancing in “The Swordsman”, an especially tense transaction at a roadside honey stand in “The Beekeeper”, and the removal of a burdensome snowfall in “The Plow”. They are also often sensorial experiences – viscous, sticky, frigid, arid, or overbearing – full of aroma, texture and flavour; whereas, taking a detour in form, “Job” and “How To: Your Very Own Life” playfully deliver snarky, astute observations on the everyday absurdisms of life.

DETAILS | Currently available in-store from Iron Dog Books, and as a special order from such other local independent bookstores as Massy Books, and Upstart & Crow.*