Hard Knox: Musings from the Edge of Canada

by Jack Knox, Ian Ferguson (Foreword)

In Hard Knox, seasoned columnist and consummate everyman Jack Knox offers up his uniquely hilarious views on Canadian life as seen from the western fringes of the country—in particular from the “Island of Misfit Toys” as he aptly calls his Vancouver Island home. This treasure trove of west-coast wit and wisdom touches on everything from “smug anti-Americanism” to extreme weather to flagrant public displays of affection in Canada’s westernmost capital. Whether you’re a born-and-bred Islander, a transplanted Albertan in the throes of culture shock, or a confused tourist, we all have something to learn from the school of Hard Knox.

Genres: Humor, Canada, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published October 21, 2016

Reviews

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very relatable and very funny

[Nicholas Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously with comedy this is going to appeal or not appeal depending on your type of funny bone. I've always liked Jack Knox and regularly in the past read his satirical and humorous columns in The Times Colonist published in Victoria BC. One of the few good things about that newspaper frankly. So I'd read a few of these before and also attended a craft fair in Metchosin BC where his wife was selling hats (rather beautifully made as I recall). This craft fair story is one of many that raised a chuckle. There is some repetition because of the nature of this type of collection, but I'd definitely recommend this one although it's appeal may be mostly to Vancouver Islanders or people who have spent some time in this quirky part of Canada.

[Gail]

Very funny book. On a par with Bill Bryson.

[Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admission..I have read these short stoires many times over the years. Every time I find myself laughing and going down memory lane of growing up in Victoria!
(like taking swimming lessons in the Crystal Gardens..when it was a real 'pool' and not just a garden!!)
Jack's columns in the Times Colonist have been a mainstay for thousands of people..whether they live in Victoria or anywhere else in the world.
Now that he has retired..well..people will just have to go to Victoria and hope to 'accidentally' see him for a coffee and chinwag. Have fun!! Share stories..we all have them!!
Thanks Jack..one day..we will meet.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great light read of Vancouver Island hilarity from Victoria's favourite (?) or most out-spoken columnist at least. Some of the content doesn't really hold up anymore (and people have been saying that for years, I know), but it was a nice little remembrance of home. I liked the breaking the stories down by month, though some really could go anywhere. Fun little read when isolated!

[Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful compilation of columns originally published in the Victoria Tmes Colonist. A bit repetitive which you don't notice if you read them daily in the newspaper but there are some gems I was happy to read again.

[ashley klimas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living on “The Island” (Vancouver Island), this book was hilarious and kept my spirits up in the worst of times away from home. However, if you don’t like being made fun of for the ridiculous things we do, this book may not be for you then.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack Knox invokes a serious number of snickers. And that is s very good thing.

[Cathy Converse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humour is a difficult genera to tackle. Jack Knox has done his research and captured the island culture of Vancouver Island. I laughed till I hurt.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overwritten. And the repetitive jokes work better once a week than all at once. Probably required reading for everyone on the island.

[Leah Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenally funny and clever, with insights into life on the island that both ring true for an islander and greatly amuse a mainlander

[Ann Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 a must read for any Vancouver Islanders!

[Denise Moedt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some funny laugh aloud lines.

[Gariele Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up on Vancouver Island, Jack Knox was a staple in my local newspaper during his decades-long tenure as columnist.

While I can’t say I ever read the paper on a *regular* basis, I always flipped the pages until I found the Jack Knox byline. Nothing compares to his satirical commentary on Vancouver Island living!

This collection had some truly laugh-out-loud moments for me!

The only reason I didn’t rate it higher is because some essays did NOT age well. I don’t care to revisit the “humour” of the early aughts, thank you very much.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 STARS

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was received as a gift partly because I always laugh out loud when reading Knox‘s newspaper columns. It is a collection of his columns and it is a great book to read a little bit at a time. I actually set out to read the whole thing at once but then found it tedious. So now it sits half finished on my shelf and will be there until I feel like picking it up again to read one more story at a time. I think that Knox’s humour is an acquired taste. Some will love his writings and some will hate them.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book; by Times Colonist writer Jack Knox about all thing weird and wonderful about Victoria, BC Ferries, the west coast trail, weather in this area and holidays. I've loved his writing for decades, so this was like the cherry on the cake.