Review: Oh Canada! Oh Quebec!

Oh Canada! Oh Quebec!: Requiem for a Divided Country
by Mordecai Richler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was published in 1992 at which point the future of Quebec as a province of Canada was in doubt.

"As I write, late in September 1991, Quebec is pledged to definitely, but not necessarily, hold a referendum on sovereignty by next October. Or, on the other hand, the referendum could deal with the rest of Canada's binding offer for renewed federalism. Or, if such an offer were near, the referendum could be delayed. Or, instead of a referendum, there could be an election in 1993 to settle the question once and for all, but only for another decade." (p. 228)

The tone of the whole book is biased, snarky, and highly irreverent. This is what gives it its charm. It was a bit like listening to a very well read, highly informed person on the barstool next to you rant about the sad state of affairs among the idiots elected to govern. The french-language sign vigilantes, anti-semitism, and the folly of the building in Montreal for the 1976 Olympics are among the topics Richler touches on in his survey of Quebec politics in the 1980s. I enjoyed this book, and learned a lot from it as an historical document.
This book counts toward the 11th Canadian Book Challenge.

Review: Joshua Then and Now

Joshua Then and Now by Mordecai Richler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked the way this novel was structured. The first page finds Joshua in the hospital and then the reader follows along as his mind wanders back and forth in time and place telling us all kinds of stories about his family, his friends, his enemies, and his women. What he doesn't tell us--until the end of the novel--is how he ended up in the hospital. Joshua's world is full of colorful characters and in among the tall tales is a lot of info about Canadian history, boxing, and the Spanish Civil War.
This is my first book completed for the 11th Canadian Book Challenge.

Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang

Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang
by Mordecai Richler

This was a charming, funny story about being little and still being able to do important stuff.

"Most days Jacob Two-Two was happy, but other days, bad days, he was very sad. On bad days, he saw that all the other children in the house were taller and much more capable than he was. His two older brothers, and even his two older sisters, could ride two-wheel bicycles, dial a telephone number, whistle, do joined-up writing, play checkers, and catch a ball." (p.1-2)

The same style of writing--short declarative sentences with a bit of a perspective twist when you aren't expecting it--that I like in Richler's novels was present here. There was also a wry observation to Jacob's view of the world that reminded me of The Phantom Tollbooth.

This book counts toward the Canadian Book challenge.

Review: St. Urbain's Horseman

St. Urbain's Horseman by Mordecai Richler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Overall I would say that this is a book about heroes and how they do and do not help a person deal with their life. It took me a while to figure out what was going on in this book, it seemed to just wander for quite a while but, as with Barney's Version, once I adjusted to the lack of linear plot and just went with it things got better. I thought the generational position of the characters, they are a bit older than the baby boomers, was very similar to Gen-X in being ahead of a huge cohort. Jake provided a good perspective on the world around him as he was between a lot of different cultural groups (British and Canadian, 2 generations, the film world and his old neighborhood, Jews and Gentiles, etc.). Once again Duddy Kravitz is a character--I really need to read his story.

This book counts toward the Canadian Book Challenge and is 10/13 with less than a month to go.

Review: Barney's Version

Barney's Version by Mordecai Richler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The rambling back and forth narration took a bit of getting used to, but once I got into the rhythm of it I enjoyed the quirky, cranky point-of-view of Barney, who may or may not be a murderer. The novel is presented as the autobiography of Barney Panofsky with footnotes and an afterword by Michael Panofsky. There is a TON of Canadian hockey information in this book as well as several sections about Quebecois secession. There are also random observations about all sorts of other things as well as a definite voice of the author interjecting opinions into the narrative.

"I understand why our most perspicacious men of letters object to the current trend in biography, its mean practitioners reveling in the carve-up of genius. But the truth is, nothing delights me more than a biography of one of the truly great that proves he or she was an absolute shit. I'm a sucker for studies of those who, in the words of that friend of Auden's (not MacNeice, not Isherwood, the other guy) '...travelled a short while toward the sun / And left the vivid air signed with their honor.' But took no prisoners en route, now that the facts are known." (p. 235)

The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz was recommended to me by a friend but I haven't been able to find it yet. Duddy Kravitz makes a cameo in this book and I look forward to reading his story.
This book counts toward the Canadian Book Challenge.