About the Book
The tragic murder of Reena Virk—which inspired the major television series Under the Bridge—and its aftermath are recounted in heart-wrenching detail by her grieving father.
Shortlisted for the 2009 George Ryga Award
The horrifying killing of fourteen-year-old Reena Virk at the hands of her peers in 1997 shocked and stunned the public. This callous act of violence drew nation-wide attention to bullying and cast a spotlight on Virk’s mourning parents, Manjit and Suman, who had already been let down by social services and law enforcement by the time of their daughter’s murder.
In Reena: A Father’s Story, Manjit Virk speaks out for the first time about his family’s life before and after Reena’s death. This is a powerful story of an immigrant family’s struggles to make a new life in a new country, the cultural clashes they endured, the anguish they experienced over their loss of their child, and, ultimately, their perseverance in the face of unspeakable tragedy and public scrutiny.
About the Author(s)
Manjit Virk was born in the state of Punjab in northern India in 1955 and immigrated to Canada in 1979. He holds a master’s degree in English literature, had a 20-year career in manufacturing, and worked as a freelance interpreter and translator of Punjabi and Hindi. He enjoys walking, basking in the sun, reading, and caring for children and pets. He is especially interested in family and societal issues. He lives in Victoria, BC.
Reviews
"The Virks were the catalyst for anti-bullying programs enacted by the government of British Columbia, according to Education Minister Rob Fleming."
—Globe & Mail
"There was a large piece of the show that was an adaptation of Rebecca’s book . . . but Manjit Virk’s book has a lot of stories that aren’t in Under the Bridge.”
—Quinn Shephard, The Wrap
"The series pulls the bulk of its plot and characters from Godfrey’s investigation and from a memoir published by Reena’s father, Manjit Virk, in 2008."
—ELLE
"[Manjit Virk] said frustration over the legal system is one of the reasons he spent the past year writing about his life and how his daughter's death has affected it. . . Virk said he hopes the book will set the record straight and let the public know his was a normal family like any other."
—CBC News British Columbia
A heart-wrenching story . . . Reena could be used as classroom support if the class is dealing with issues such as immigration, racism, justice, and adolescence. Highly Recommended.
—CM magazine
