Canadian Writers

[Sami]

Does anyone have thoughts/reviews of works by Canadian authors? I live in Canada at the moment, but I was born elsewhere, and would be interested to hear any recommendations or comments about Canadian texts.

At the moment, my favourite Canadian writer is Mordecai Richler, mainly on the grounds that he pin points the bleaker side of human relations very well, often in a totally hilarious way. I haven’t seen any discussion of him on this site so far, so I also thought I would give him my endorsement. Has anyone else read his work?

Are there any other suggestions? Am I a lone Canadian here?

[Xamonas Chegwe]

The only book by a Canadian that I have knowingly read is "Beautiful Losers" by Leonard Cohen. I'm afraid that, to us Brits, it's not easy to tell an American from a Canadian.

I just know I'm going to get some stick for that comment, but it's true.

[~Maude~]

Margaret Atwood, Blind Assassin, the Handmaid's Tale and Alias Grace were all very good reads I thought. And I am hoping to read some more of her books this year.

[Sami]

The only book by a Canadian that I have knowingly read is "Beautiful Losers" by Leonard Cohen. I'm afraid that, to us Brits, it's not easy to tell an American from a Canadian.
I am a Brit by birth/upbringing, but Canadian by residence so I am in no position to give you stick for this. Do you recommend the Leonard Cohen book?


Yes, of course Atwood is a very well known Canadian writer – I like her work too. The writer that I mentioned, Mordecai Richler is very, very different from Atwood and, in my opinion, at least as good. His work is on the school curriculum here, but doesn’t seem to be known much elsewhere. Perhaps I am totally wrong about this – has anyone else read him? Seeing as I am new(ish) to Canada, I am guessing there are probably loads of other authors who are well known here, but not so well publicized in the rest of the world, so I was interested to see if anyone had other suggestions.

[Xamonas Chegwe]

Do you recommend the Leonard Cohen book?

If you enjoy Cohen's songs and poetry (or even his songs as poetry), enjoy dark humour, and are not easily offended by obscenity and graphic hetero- & homosexual references (by a lot of obscenity and graphic hetero- & homosexual references), then yes. No to any of the above, then I'd leave it.

I read it when I was about 20 (I'm more than double that now) so my memory is a little vague about the finer plot points, but it impressed me at the time.

[Doctor Boogaloo]

Have a go at Timothy Findley (especially 'The Wars').

Our best short story writer is Alice Munro.

Try Morley Callahan, Robertson Davies, and -- I think we can lay partial claim to him -- Brian Moore.

[Whifflingpin]

Stephen Leacock - see Author list

Robert W Service - early C20th writer of verse

[~Maude~]

The writer that I mentioned, Mordecai Richler is very, very different from Atwood and, in my opinion, at least as good. His work is on the school curriculum here, but doesn’t seem to be known much elsewhere. Perhaps I am totally wrong about this – has anyone else read him? Seeing as I am new(ish) to Canada, I am guessing there are probably loads of other authors who are well known here, but not so well publicized in the rest of the world, so I was interested to see if anyone had other suggestions.

I've not heard of him but I will look him up at the library and see what they have :)

[EAP]

Guy Gavriel Kay - Tigana, The Lions of Al-Rassan and The Last Light of the Sun

R. Scott Bakker - The Darkness that Comes Before

[Sami]

Great to see so many suggestions! Seeing as someone raised the problem of not being able to distinguish between Canadians and Americans, do any of you think that there is something specifically Canadian about the writers you’ve recommended? Do they say something about Canada? Or, are they just “good writers” regardless of being Canadian?

To me, Richler does seem to represent an Anglophone Montreal perspective, and did seem to think that where he was from formed an important aspect of his work. I think Leonard Cohen was also from Montreal but from the sounds of it, he’s quite different to Richler??? And, I would also say that Robertson Davies expresses some aspects of Ontario values/culture, although I am not sure if he saw this as a significant part of his writing. I know practically nothing about the other works people have suggested – any further thoughts?

[EAP]

Lucy Maud Montgomery had a very different feeling to her works compared with her American contemporaries. But she was from a completely different time and era.

[subterranean]

I think Yann Martel is Canadian. I have only read his.

[R.Daneel]

Steven Erikson and before mantioned Scott Bakker if you're into fantasy

[Radarping]

Here is a shotgun list of some great Canadian novels. Of the authors on the list I like Michael Ondaatje and Roberston Davies best.

Who has Seen the Wind, W.O. Mitchell
How I Spent My Summer Vacation, W.O. Mitchell

Geniuses Together, Humphrey Carpenter (Autobiography but a clasic.)

Alice Munro
Jane Urquhart
Carol Shields

The Lyre of Orpheus, Roberston Davies
What's Bred in the Bone, Robertson Davies
World of Wonders, Robertson Davies
The Rebel Angels, Robertson Davies
The Manticore, Robertson Davies
The Cunning Man, Robertson Davies
Fifth Business, (one of the best) Robertson Davies

No Great Mischief, Alistair MacLeod
Mavis Gallant (any of her short story collections)

The skin of a Lion, (his best) Michael Ondaatje
The English Patient, (most famouse) Michael Ondaatje

[everyman]

Other Canadian authors of note include Pierre Berton, Stephen Leacock, Will Ferguson, Wayson Choy, Alberto Manguel, and many more whose names escape my memory at the moment.

[water lily]

Eden Robinson is a native canadian author. She is very good, but take heed, her style can be harsh.

[rachel]

I was born in Canada and I love Stephen Leacock , he is hilarious. I also admire Mordecai and because I was raised by a man that was a CPR conductor, both frieght and passenger I am enamored by Pierre Burton's works on the forging of the railway.
But I have to be honest I think most Canadian writers are dreadful, either so out there I can't bear them, or as dry as sunburned wheat on a dusty prairie. I prefer Russian or British literature. I just do can't explain why.

[Sami]

Thanks Rachel! I think you’ve pointed out one of the stereotypes I have stuck in my head about Canadian literature – that it’s all about pioneering spirit and stern matriarchs enduring the harsh prairie winters without a proper overcoat, never mind a luxury like central heating etc. etc.

Part of the reason I started this thread was to see if anyone could set me right on this – I know this is probably a huge misconception. So far, although many people have been kind enough to mention quite a number of Canadian writers, hardly anyone has suggested what they think might be specifically Canadian about them and/or if there is anything distinctive about Canadian literature that sets it apart from say American or British writing.

[Sami]

P.S. I am so glad to hear that someone else likes Mordecai Richler. Have you read “Solomon Gursky Was Here”? It’s my favourite!

[lady_in_red]

ok i have a project to do where i have to compare authors : one of my choices can be of any nationality, the other must be canadian... My non-canadian author is Jude Devereaux and i was wondering if anyone who read her novels could name a canadian author that is similar? help maybe???

[Asa Adams]

Mordecai Was a Canadian Master of Literature. The distinction between This style from much others is a classic Jewish Gettho Product. Richler was a master of Satire; thrust into a french province by birth, Richler being english speaking, poor and Jewish, developed a keen observation of other classes and their Lifestyles:Ie) WASP Wives.

The style that belongs to Canadian LIT is that of rural, grassroots behaviour that exists in maritime, prairie, northern, and west coast life. There is not much more for me to say about CanLit, other than it is something that you have to read in comparison to American, British etc. Styles to fully understand its individualism.

[*Classic*Charm*]

DEFINITELY Timothy Findley!!

[Asa Adams]

DEFINITELY Timothy Findley!!

I had tea with findley, and my grandfather was his bowling partners with bill whitehead. Really awesome guys.
Findley spoke eloquently, and the mood in his home was amazing. I loved stone orchard when findley owned it. Luckily I still live down the street from it. I would definately reccomend findley! A wonderful man he was, and I miss him dearly!:bawling: :lol: