Timbit Nation: A Hitchhiker's View of Canada

by John Stackhouse

After spending years travelling through some of the poorest nations of the world, seeking out the people’s story, award-winning journalist and bestselling author John Stackhouse turns his keen eye toward his own country.

Most people who travel across Canada begin their journey at either end of an impressively long strand of national highway. But Stackhouse, thumb out and knapsack in hand, chooses Saint John, New Brunswick, as a launching point, where his ancestors arrived in the late 18th century as refugees of the Loyalist rebellion. From there he heads east to Newfoundland, north into Labrador and straight west to Vancouver Island, curious to discover how Canada has changed in his lifetime -- since the advent of the superhighway, a global culture and continental economy have taken hold. Is Canada capable of remaining a distinct nation?

Following the route of the explorers, Stackhouse endures rain, bugs and gale-force winds, but also meets some incredible personalities, each with their own fascinating anecdotes and often surprising social and political commentary as well. Once and for all they dispel the myth that Canadians are a bland and complacent lot. Contemplating a Timbit in a Tim Hortons on the highway -- a truly Canadian experience -- leads Stackhouse to reflect on our remaining distinctions from our neighbour to the south. Americans may have perfected the doughnut as a fast-food staple, but it took Canadians to figure out how to truly exploit the hole.

A wry and perceptive look at our country in the present, Timbit Nation has all the prerequisites of
good travel literature: a cast of colourful characters, funny, informative writing, and a landscape of tremendous beauty.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Canada

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed the book. The author provides insights into many parts of the country that I know little about and it provides a bit of vicarious tourism for those like me that would love to travel the country but ultimately I didn’t find it all that satisfying. I hadn’t thought of it until I noticed someone else’s review – but there are large portions of the book where the author is not/or appears not to be enjoying the trip very much. Often his portrayal of the people driving him feels a bit condescending. (admittedly, some of the colourful characters may warrant some skepticism, but still. ) It’s possible that this is not the case, or maybe that’s just my interpretation. I picked it up thinking it would be the Canadian equivalent of ‘Round Ireland With A Fridge’ but it’s far more analytical and less joyful than that book. The age of the book is starting to show a bit as well. At several points little things made me question when it was written (early 2000s apparently). I couldn’t tell you exactly why but it just feels like it’s not current, i think in part because a lot of the political and economic landscape has changed since then. Mind you much has stayed the same. Worth a read, but it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Rekindles my desire for a cross-country trip, but definitely not as a hitchhiker, and not on a deadline! 

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, if you want the most stereotypical, Bob and Doug McKenzie, view of blue-collar Canada, then this is the book for you. I use excerpts of this book to teach my ESL students about Canadian stereotypes and about the regional variations in Canadian culture. Many people "from away" to borrow an East Coast idiom don't really think of Canada as a multifaceted culture...Stackhouse's book does a good job of pointing out the regional disparities. But, if you're looking for much more nuanced consideration of Canada that "I'm Mike, from Canmore, eh?" then you're probably not going take much away from this read. That said, it's funny, very often funny, and often his descriptions of towns and neighbourhoods is strikingly relatable.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I managed to make it halfway through this book before finally giving up. It’s not that it’s bad - it just isn’t very compelling. Maybe it would work as a bathroom book. It’s mildly interesting, and conveniently broken into < 5 minute sections.

I think the premise of the book - hitchhiking across Canada and writing about it - could work, if the author wasn’t so obviously just doing his job. Stackhouse doesn’t actually seem to enjoy the trip - he might enjoy parts of it, but he’s on schedule, he doesn’t have time to stop and linger or change plans on the fly, which I would think would be the whole point of hitchhiking across the county.

[Lisa Rosenow · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun read

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reporter gets the idea to hitchhike across Canada and then write about it ( great work if you can get it). As you might expect, the result is a pretty superficial view of Canada and Canadians. There's some humourous moments and a couple of good descriptions of the country Stackhouse is racing through but I couldn't help feeling he didn't really like the people who stopped to pick him up. That may be because he then has to go to work: feretting out the life story of every driver, finding significant differences in each, describing the car and the territory he's passing through and recording the duration of each ride. In my day I did my share of long distance hitching and still fondly remember some of the people I met, but then I looked at each ride as an experience not an assignment. And there's the rub, there's no joy in this book.I came away with the strong conviction if I ever saw John Stackhouse on the side of the highway I'd steer clear and hit the gas.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this would be funny, but instead was full of political/social commentary that was depressing.

[Carolyn Gerk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book on a dusty shelf in a used book store. It looked brand new and was stacked next to three other copies that looked brand new. Though that seemed a little discouraging, I thought I'd give it a shot.
I am glad I did. Timbit Nation is the humorous account of one man's journey across Canada via the Trans-Can highway. He opts to hitchhike to connect with the common man. He is successful in doing just that, and often minds himself truly at the mercy of said common man as he must absorb their stories and often complaints.
This novel offers a very genuine look at Canada, it's people and it's landscapes, with a sprinkling of history to act as a reference. Stackhouse looks at how many of the different areas of Canada have changed over time, and how these changes relate to the region's people.
Definitely worth a read, Timbit is funny, clever and sincere. We hear a lot of negativity form a lot of people, but from time to time, our 'drivers' have a sweetness to offer, and a heartwarming story to share. Other times, the reader may find these folks a little off putting, but compelling none the less.
The novel does tend to get a little redundant from time to time, but we are usually refreshed by the next batch of characters to roll into the scene. An amusing and engaging novel.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up at Value Village and have to say it was $4.99 well spent. I now have a COMPLETELY different impression of Canada after reading this book. Being born and raised in B.C. I had felt that I was in the best geographical region Canada had to offer, Timbit Nation helped reshape that notion. I found this book told the story of a constantly changing nation, a nation whose own identity was constantly being reshaped by economic shifts that promoted social change be it good or bad. I was especially interested in the prarie chapters as I yearn for tall wild grass, dusty roads and small towns. I found the beggining of the book a bit of a slog around the end Maratimes portion. Qubec intrigued me with it's cultural and geographic diffrences, Ontario bored me and made me feel happy I was here. The praries flew by and I still yearn for a late summer prarie adventure. I enjoyed the authors take on B.C. I had lived in Tofino for 6 months and had no idea this was the terminus of the Trans canada highway and in many ways feel it very Canadian to not celebrate such things. I would like to Thank John Stackhouse for taking the time to travel across the country in 97 diffrent vehicles and then writing this book. Well worth the read.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a professor assign this to us as a reading for his class in Canadian Politics. I enjoyed this book as it was an easy read and was organized into smaller sections that would allow for a quick read between classes. I believe that the point of this book was to show how Canadians are good natured and still pick up hitch hikers! If you are looking for something that is a light read and heart warming and fun, this is a good book. I should take the time to re-read this book..

[Kathleen McRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book was written in 2003 it was still quite a good view of the Canadian nation.Typically Man style it was a fast paced speed through Canada East to West and there was some well researched information about the places John passed thru.It did not make me any more inclined to hitchhiking except as a last resort

[Reatha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great look at a traveling across Canada as a hitchhiker. Some very funny stories. Overall, the stories range from funny to happy to despondent to disappointing, but all are true to life.

[Tracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this book. I don't know if it was Stackhouse's style or the constant pity-party throughout it. It's very depressing, I really don't recommend it.

[Martini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally poignant, notalgic in some places. If you are Canadian, give this one a go - its a smart and short read and a really great tale.

[Landon · Rating 3 out of 5]

wanted him to talk to someone from SW Sask. He went north thru Saskatoon. Boo.

[Scott Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read only the N.S chapter but really enjoyed. Author has an easy, interested and uncontrived style.