Kevin Patterson (writer)

Kevin Patterson (1969 – 2012) was a Canadian physician and writer, best known for his novels and non-fiction works exploring themes of rural life, identity, and the challenges of the Canadian healthcare system.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in southwestern Saskatchewan, Patterson studied medicine at the University of Manitoba and practiced in both rural and urban settings, including a stint as a ship's doctor in the Arctic. His experiences as a physician deeply informed his writing.

Patterson's first novel, The Skin, published in 2006, examined the complexities of life in a remote Inuit community in the Canadian Arctic. It was longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. His other notable works include Consumption, a collection of essays on health and society, and Eden Robinson's Monkey Beach, a critical examination of the novel of the same name. He also wrote the novel Comedy of Errors, which was published posthumously.

Patterson's writing was celebrated for its honest and unflinching portrayal of contemporary Canada, particularly its rural and marginalized communities. He wrote with a keen eye for detail and a deep empathy for his characters. He died unexpectedly in Serbia in 2012.