Born in Poland in 1919, Irene Burstyn was forced to leave her country to take up refuge in Italy during World War II. After much travelling and short stays in numerous countries, she settled in Montreal in 1944. There, she became a celebrated stylist of hats, running a shop and line called Irene of Montreal. Picking Up Pearls, which won the QSPELL First Book Prize, was published in 1997.

Books by Irene Burstyn

Picking Up Pearls