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Born into It: A Fan's Life
In Fever Pitch meets Anchor Boy , Montreal Canadiens superfan Jay Baruchel tells us why he loves the Habs no matter what It’s no secret that Jay Baruchel is a die-hard fan of the Montreal Canadiens. He talks about the team at every opportunity, wears their gear proudly in interviews and on the street, appeared in a series of videos promoting the team, and was once named honorary captain by owner Geoff Molson and Habs tough guy Chris Nilan. As he has said publicly, “I was raised both Catholic and Jewish, but really more than anything just a Habs fan.” In Born Into It , Baruchel’s lifelong memories as a Canadiens’ fan explode on the page in a collection of hilarious, heartfelt and nostalgic stories that draw on his childhood experiences as a homer living in Montreal and the enemy living in the Maple Leaf stronghold of Oshawa, Ontario. Knuckles drawn, and with the rouge, bleu et blanc emblazoned on just about every piece of clothing he owns, Baruchel shares all in the same spirit with which he laid his soul bare in his hugely popular Goon movies. Born Into It is a memoir unlike any other, and a book not to be missed.
272 pages, Paperback
First published October 30, 2018
22 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 15, 2022
I'm not a hockey fan, but this is a wonderful piece of writing. It's surprisingly philosophical, and Baruchel uses his relationship with the Habs as a way of getting into processing his own life. He talks, for example, about processing the deaths of some of his favourite Habs player and also the death of his father. He talks about how his father's wheeling-and-dealing attempts to be a functional addict linked up with his dad encouraging him to be a man's man of sorts - a fighting, rough-and-tumble hockey fan - and how it wasn't until he was a little older that he understood how to love the game. I was very close to giving this one five stars.
The poems interspersed throughout also made me wish Baruchel would publish more poetry. Here's my favourite and one of many in the book:
WE ARE STILL YOUNG
We are still young
Not still,
But young
There is time still
For us to burn our
Victories
Time still for us
To make Iron our defeats
And scream on heaven
"We are still young"
Not still, but young
There is time still
Time for us
Still
The poems interspersed throughout also made me wish Baruchel would publish more poetry. Here's my favourite and one of many in the book:
WE ARE STILL YOUNG
We are still young
Not still,
But young
There is time still
For us to burn our
Victories
Time still for us
To make Iron our defeats
And scream on heaven
"We are still young"
Not still, but young
There is time still
Time for us
Still
January 9, 2019
If you know me, then you know I read hockey books during hockey season—always at least one, it seems. I give hockey books to friends as gifts. I have a shelf of hockey reading. I am COMPELLED to tell the tale of reading this one.
A few months ago, a small review of Born Into It: A Fan’s Life by Jay Baruchel appeared in an issue of The Hockey News. The book sounded interesting yet by the end of the review I had decided I did not need (want?) to read it. Then Tim and I went to Winnipeg, and I always like to visit bookstores in new cities. McNally Robinson had copies of Born Into It on the shelf. I was able to read a page or so, the result being that with much deliberation and waffling, I bought it.
Turns out to be the best hockey book I have read since Cold Cocked on Hockey. This book, like Cold Cocked on Hockey, is about so much more than hockey: loyalty, love, pain, passion, politics, patriotism, philosophy, nostalgia, culture, racism, friendship, failure, history, hope, longing. The writing is electric, captivating, funny, and substantive (i.e., deep).
Given my perspective and preferences, it is probably no coincidence that both Born Into It and Cold Cocked on Hockey are memoirs. The former centers itself on Montreal and Canadiens (Habs) fans and is written by a male; the latter revolves around Vancouver and Canucks fans, written by a female. Take your pick, they are both excellent.
Back in Winnipeg, the clerk at McNally Robinson said he thought there was an autographed copy of the book. I scarcely cared, having never heard of the author and not being much for autographed copies of books. I had absolutely no idea who Jay Baruchel was or is. Maybe you do. Now that I know, I say, “Too bad I didn’t follow up on the clerk’s information.”
A few months ago, a small review of Born Into It: A Fan’s Life by Jay Baruchel appeared in an issue of The Hockey News. The book sounded interesting yet by the end of the review I had decided I did not need (want?) to read it. Then Tim and I went to Winnipeg, and I always like to visit bookstores in new cities. McNally Robinson had copies of Born Into It on the shelf. I was able to read a page or so, the result being that with much deliberation and waffling, I bought it.
Turns out to be the best hockey book I have read since Cold Cocked on Hockey. This book, like Cold Cocked on Hockey, is about so much more than hockey: loyalty, love, pain, passion, politics, patriotism, philosophy, nostalgia, culture, racism, friendship, failure, history, hope, longing. The writing is electric, captivating, funny, and substantive (i.e., deep).
Given my perspective and preferences, it is probably no coincidence that both Born Into It and Cold Cocked on Hockey are memoirs. The former centers itself on Montreal and Canadiens (Habs) fans and is written by a male; the latter revolves around Vancouver and Canucks fans, written by a female. Take your pick, they are both excellent.
Back in Winnipeg, the clerk at McNally Robinson said he thought there was an autographed copy of the book. I scarcely cared, having never heard of the author and not being much for autographed copies of books. I had absolutely no idea who Jay Baruchel was or is. Maybe you do. Now that I know, I say, “Too bad I didn’t follow up on the clerk’s information.”
January 14, 2025
Less so a book and moreso a weed-induced stream of Jay Baruchel consciousness
The beginning and end of the book were quite entertaining, it just really really dragged in the middle portions, which essentially consist of Jay Baruchel inventing people to get upset about and then writing fanfiction about them. The Good Friday Massacre portion should theoretically be entertaining, but it’s written out as if you’re just reading the box score.
It’s a difficult task to make the winningest team in hockey appear as any sort of modern day underdog, and when Baruchel begins digging into the narrative of the elusive chase of a 25th Stanley Cup the book definitely has potential. He makes several good points about league expansion, the Americanization/capitalization of the NHL, and perhaps his best point about the organization being far too focused on looking in the rearview mirror of the glory days of the 1970s and the O6 era.
But while he hints at it, he doesn’t fully delve into reasoning why the Habs don’t have the free agent/trade destination glamour of the Lakers or the Yankees, perhaps the Canadiens’ closest comparisons in North American sports.
Ultimately, this book would have benefitted from coming out a few years later, following the 2021 cup run. Obviously hindsight is 20/20 but it’s somewhat ironic to hear him lament that we couldn’t sign Ilya Kovalchuk when he was a free agent, considering the Devils and Kings both made massive mistakes with his contracts (and he ended up signing in Montreal for league minimum for like a month and a half).
The beginning and end of the book were quite entertaining, it just really really dragged in the middle portions, which essentially consist of Jay Baruchel inventing people to get upset about and then writing fanfiction about them. The Good Friday Massacre portion should theoretically be entertaining, but it’s written out as if you’re just reading the box score.
It’s a difficult task to make the winningest team in hockey appear as any sort of modern day underdog, and when Baruchel begins digging into the narrative of the elusive chase of a 25th Stanley Cup the book definitely has potential. He makes several good points about league expansion, the Americanization/capitalization of the NHL, and perhaps his best point about the organization being far too focused on looking in the rearview mirror of the glory days of the 1970s and the O6 era.
But while he hints at it, he doesn’t fully delve into reasoning why the Habs don’t have the free agent/trade destination glamour of the Lakers or the Yankees, perhaps the Canadiens’ closest comparisons in North American sports.
Ultimately, this book would have benefitted from coming out a few years later, following the 2021 cup run. Obviously hindsight is 20/20 but it’s somewhat ironic to hear him lament that we couldn’t sign Ilya Kovalchuk when he was a free agent, considering the Devils and Kings both made massive mistakes with his contracts (and he ended up signing in Montreal for league minimum for like a month and a half).
March 13, 2023
Overall, I liked the book. I particularly enjoyed the author’s opinions and descriptions of fandom. I can relate to being ‘born into’ fandom of a certain team (I.e leaf’s for me). There was a little ‘filler’ in the book which I didn’t like as much (I.e. the short story and the description of the Good Friday Massacre, at which time the author would have been only 2 years old). Definitely worth the read though.
January 30, 2025
This book felt like a random collection of thoughts but it was nice and I liked it.
“Because this is Montreal. And everything is a conflict born of two solitudes… and mobsters make cheap bridges, and our obsession with history is equalled only by our addiction to romance, and it’s -20 for half the year…and the roads are fucked, and everyone is on strike… and vice is important, and so is the moment-every moment-and so is the joy of living, and so is humanism and the expression of the self, and no one is born entitled, and everyone is prettier here, and there’s no such thing as a bad meal, and all the good art comes from here, and everybody fucks better, and summer still means something, and you’re always at the cool kids’ table, and you are aware of the memories you are creating at the very moment you are living them, and Canada itself comes from here, and we gave the world hockey…
Because this is Montreal, and Montreal will break your heart. Or maybe it’s just hockey and who gives a shit?”
“Because this is Montreal. And everything is a conflict born of two solitudes… and mobsters make cheap bridges, and our obsession with history is equalled only by our addiction to romance, and it’s -20 for half the year…and the roads are fucked, and everyone is on strike… and vice is important, and so is the moment-every moment-and so is the joy of living, and so is humanism and the expression of the self, and no one is born entitled, and everyone is prettier here, and there’s no such thing as a bad meal, and all the good art comes from here, and everybody fucks better, and summer still means something, and you’re always at the cool kids’ table, and you are aware of the memories you are creating at the very moment you are living them, and Canada itself comes from here, and we gave the world hockey…
Because this is Montreal, and Montreal will break your heart. Or maybe it’s just hockey and who gives a shit?”
September 23, 2021
Written for Habs fans. Hoping for more.
March 24, 2022
Finished this one quick “Born into it” by Jay Baruchel
Review: I remember being 5 years old looking up at Tom Sagissor from The Fredericton Canadiens (Montreal’s affiliate AHL team) who was reading our class a story. To the rest of the world he was a guy who played university hockey then moved on to two seasons with the baby habs in my hometown. Eventually he petered out before ever making it to the big show, but to me he was a star. The Fredericton Canadiens to a 5 year old may as well have been the real thing. I was star struck.
I’d like to say that from that moment on I was hooked but the truth is I was born into it. My dad, his dad before him, and his dad before him were all die hard Montreal Canadiens fans. Just like those who came before me, once I had kids of my own, they never had a chance. They were born into it.
I am a fan of Jay Baruchel, but this book did not rely on him being a well known actor/director. It hinges on the deep down love and loyalty that die hard habs fans have for their team. Jays book weaves through stories of falling in love and out of love with the habs while comparing aspects of his fandom to how he was raised and the social structures he was brought up in.
I will admit some of the book seemed unorganized and there were parts I could have probably done without (the fictional short story, and the recap play by play of the Good Friday massacre) but The redeeming points for me that left me smiling and nodding in agreement were his letters to the Boston Bruins (ugh) and the Toronto Maple leafs (sick).
The final chapter however is worth the price of admission as he accurately describes what it’s like watching the habs play in the final minutes of a crucial game and all the thoughts and emotions that race through our bodies and heads.
Great book for habs fans but you honestly wouldn’t enjoy it if you weren’t.
Jay is an excellent writer so it’s too bad the structure and editing seem to be a bit all over the place.
Probably should be 3 stars but I’ll give it 4 because GO HABS GO!
Review: I remember being 5 years old looking up at Tom Sagissor from The Fredericton Canadiens (Montreal’s affiliate AHL team) who was reading our class a story. To the rest of the world he was a guy who played university hockey then moved on to two seasons with the baby habs in my hometown. Eventually he petered out before ever making it to the big show, but to me he was a star. The Fredericton Canadiens to a 5 year old may as well have been the real thing. I was star struck.
I’d like to say that from that moment on I was hooked but the truth is I was born into it. My dad, his dad before him, and his dad before him were all die hard Montreal Canadiens fans. Just like those who came before me, once I had kids of my own, they never had a chance. They were born into it.
I am a fan of Jay Baruchel, but this book did not rely on him being a well known actor/director. It hinges on the deep down love and loyalty that die hard habs fans have for their team. Jays book weaves through stories of falling in love and out of love with the habs while comparing aspects of his fandom to how he was raised and the social structures he was brought up in.
I will admit some of the book seemed unorganized and there were parts I could have probably done without (the fictional short story, and the recap play by play of the Good Friday massacre) but The redeeming points for me that left me smiling and nodding in agreement were his letters to the Boston Bruins (ugh) and the Toronto Maple leafs (sick).
The final chapter however is worth the price of admission as he accurately describes what it’s like watching the habs play in the final minutes of a crucial game and all the thoughts and emotions that race through our bodies and heads.
Great book for habs fans but you honestly wouldn’t enjoy it if you weren’t.
Jay is an excellent writer so it’s too bad the structure and editing seem to be a bit all over the place.
Probably should be 3 stars but I’ll give it 4 because GO HABS GO!
January 22, 2021
This book was right in my wheelhouse. Acting and my beloved Habs. I read the first half of the book voraciously. The wit, writing style, and tone were amazing. Sadly, I think the book lost its way. I don't think it was Baruchel's fault. I think his editors should given him the heads up that the book departed from its road map. It was like the book left Montreal, headed for Oshawa, and found itself in Sault Ste. Marie. I think I would have left the three emails (the best part of the whole thing) to the end of the book. They were filled with passion and humour and many universal sentiments for hockey fans alike. By the time he starts into his treatise about fighting, then digresses with a play by play of a game we Habs fans have all seen dozens of times, it makes me wonder if he should have been a TSN play by play man. The piece plummets further when Baruchel injects his "short story" called "Fans". With the plethora of marijuana references in the book, there is no doubt that someone was doing a little 420 including that chapter in the book. Still, the first half of the book is roaringly entertaining, and the last five pages make an attempt to redeem it. This is a book that is at odds with itself; a book about the Habs? A book about hockey? A memoir? Likely what one would call a hybrid, but some editor has really failed a damn good writer on this one.
February 7, 2022
A solid 3.5 star book! I love Jay Baruchel. I'm not one to rewatch movies, but I've watched Goon a solid nine or ten times. So I was overjoyed when a friend gave me a copy of "Born into It" for Christmas.
And I'm glad I read it. Baruchel really puts his finger on what it's like to be a Habs fan. The emails to other teams were absolutely hilarious and spot-on. His slightly crank homages to fighting in hockey and the league's evolution were also amazing, being philosophical ruminations on change, tradition, and continuity in sports. It certainly helps that he shares many of my own frustrations with modern professional hockey. I also appreciated the memoir-like portions where Baruchel connects the Habs to his own life, with his difficult family situation, move to Ontario, and rising stardom. For those of us who adore the Canadiens outside of Montreal, it's always an uphill fight.
The only reason I ended up docking a star-and-a-half is that the book feels disorganized. Perhaps it's the stream of consciousness of a super-fan (which is jumbled by nature, lemme tell you) but the book seemed to jump in random ways, especially with its division into three periods and the insertion of random poems. It could've used more focus, but nonetheless was a worthy read for anybody like me who bleeds Bleu, Blanc, Rouge and eagerly awaits #25.
And I'm glad I read it. Baruchel really puts his finger on what it's like to be a Habs fan. The emails to other teams were absolutely hilarious and spot-on. His slightly crank homages to fighting in hockey and the league's evolution were also amazing, being philosophical ruminations on change, tradition, and continuity in sports. It certainly helps that he shares many of my own frustrations with modern professional hockey. I also appreciated the memoir-like portions where Baruchel connects the Habs to his own life, with his difficult family situation, move to Ontario, and rising stardom. For those of us who adore the Canadiens outside of Montreal, it's always an uphill fight.
The only reason I ended up docking a star-and-a-half is that the book feels disorganized. Perhaps it's the stream of consciousness of a super-fan (which is jumbled by nature, lemme tell you) but the book seemed to jump in random ways, especially with its division into three periods and the insertion of random poems. It could've used more focus, but nonetheless was a worthy read for anybody like me who bleeds Bleu, Blanc, Rouge and eagerly awaits #25.
April 10, 2019
Reading Jay Baruchel’s Born Into It is like sitting down with a fellow diehard Habs fan and agreeing on, well, pretty much everything.
He gets so many things right in this wild, rollicking book.
There's a lot of little things to love in this book: an honest assessment of fighting in the NHL, including a blow-by-blow – literally – description of the infamous “Good Friday Massacre” playoff game between the Canadiens and Nordiques on April 20, 1984; a proper assessment of the mishandling of the Patrick Roy and P.K. Subban trades; the current state of the NHL in the Gary Bettman era.
“The game itself is different,” Baruchel writes. “It is an offshoot, a distillation of the game we used to play. The old game. We were champions of the old game. We are faceless competitors of the new game, stock opponents for the real stars to best en route to glory.”
There's even a short story and poetry by the very talented and funny Baruchel.
But parents, there’s also a lot of swearing between these covers so if you’re going to read Born Into It, keep it away from the kids. Until they get big enough to sit next to you on the couch and swear with you at the Habs on TV.
He gets so many things right in this wild, rollicking book.
There's a lot of little things to love in this book: an honest assessment of fighting in the NHL, including a blow-by-blow – literally – description of the infamous “Good Friday Massacre” playoff game between the Canadiens and Nordiques on April 20, 1984; a proper assessment of the mishandling of the Patrick Roy and P.K. Subban trades; the current state of the NHL in the Gary Bettman era.
“The game itself is different,” Baruchel writes. “It is an offshoot, a distillation of the game we used to play. The old game. We were champions of the old game. We are faceless competitors of the new game, stock opponents for the real stars to best en route to glory.”
There's even a short story and poetry by the very talented and funny Baruchel.
But parents, there’s also a lot of swearing between these covers so if you’re going to read Born Into It, keep it away from the kids. Until they get big enough to sit next to you on the couch and swear with you at the Habs on TV.
March 13, 2020
3.5 stars - Even though Jay Baruchel and I don't agree on which NHL team to root for, we are both born and bred in Montreal and both die hard fans of hockey. The majority of the novel, I was right on board with him and laughing at certain moments of hockey culture (especially the section Jay wrote about his extreme hatred for my favourite team, the Boston Bruins). I think Jay's humour really shined in this novel, but I believe where he excels is his ability to convey his emotions. There were some moments that felt so real and as though I experienced them and I really appreciated his openness. This being said however, I think there were certain points in the novel that were weird and unnecessary (the short story mirroring a TSN690 call), which caused me to become bored as the novel moved passed Jay's childhood and young adult life. And although I related to those parts of the book and I would want everyone to pick it up, I don't think this book is for everyone. This book is a love story to Montreal, to the Habs and to hockey, and I think it is only relatable to a subset of people.
January 15, 2022
This was a nice little balm for me to read during the Habs worst hockey season in history.
Jay accurately transcribes what it means to be a Habs fan and spins it so poetically and gracefully that I can almost believe myself when I say they are and will always be the greatest team of all time!
I think if you are a fan of any sport, not just hockey, and not even specifically the Habs you will find something in this book to identify with. Whether it's the community you find with fellow fans, or with your shared family all congregating over the TV, cursing and swearing at a play you yourself could have achieved with your eyes closed, or the frustration of being reminded of the fact that it's a business at the end of the day there are so many moments in this book where I just went omg yes, that's it exactly!
I wasn't crazy about the short story in the middle of the book. I kinda think it was a filler because there is only so much you can write on being a Habs fan. But I seriously would give Jay a full extra star for the bang on comparison of St Huberts vs Swiss Chalet any day.
#GoHabsGo
#PatrickRoyforGM
Jay accurately transcribes what it means to be a Habs fan and spins it so poetically and gracefully that I can almost believe myself when I say they are and will always be the greatest team of all time!
I think if you are a fan of any sport, not just hockey, and not even specifically the Habs you will find something in this book to identify with. Whether it's the community you find with fellow fans, or with your shared family all congregating over the TV, cursing and swearing at a play you yourself could have achieved with your eyes closed, or the frustration of being reminded of the fact that it's a business at the end of the day there are so many moments in this book where I just went omg yes, that's it exactly!
I wasn't crazy about the short story in the middle of the book. I kinda think it was a filler because there is only so much you can write on being a Habs fan. But I seriously would give Jay a full extra star for the bang on comparison of St Huberts vs Swiss Chalet any day.
#GoHabsGo
#PatrickRoyforGM
January 31, 2025
What a joy to read. The way Jay talks about not only being habs fan but also what it's like living in Montreal. As a Montrealer myself I can say that his experiences with the city and the historic Montreal Canadiens are nothing short of remarkable. Jay is the ultimate Habs fan, reading this book is the reason why I stick with the team even after dreadful seasons and devastating trades(Suban leaving was the most emotional I have felt in my 14 years of cheering for the Habs, I can't imagine what it must have been like for Jay to witness Patrick Roy leaving.) Jay you getting to witness two Stanley Cups in your childhood is something that I am quite jealous of. One of the chapters though talks about 25. In 2025, while I am writing this I can only hope that we win number 25 in 2025 which would be pretty sick. Don't know if it will happen but it would be something.
I can confidently say this is one of the best books I read in 2024
I can confidently say this is one of the best books I read in 2024
December 21, 2020
Book 96/100: Born into It: A Fan's Life by Jay Baruchel. All I can hear is Hiccup from HTTYD speaking. I can picture how he would be telling this story and it is one fascinatingly well written book. I tore it up reading about his life as a Canadiens fan. And as a Canadian person myself, I related to a lot of his story and references to places within Toronto, Montreal, and his occasional Ottawa reference. He brings up many things, among them, hockey is the main topic and as much as I am not a huge hockey fan myself, it was still interesting to get to know the mind of a person who is an avid fan. I gained perspective on a sport I don't follow (I'm a weird canadian clearly). With a nod to mental health and quick look into racism within the Jewish community, this became an important read at key moments.
April 8, 2019
This was an easy read and comfortable book to handle. This is good for hockey fans and even better for Habs fans...especially the dramatic ones. The book has several flaws. I did find it too preachy and poetic at times. The short stories in it were disjointed from the overall structure and there was also a section dedicated to an in-depth retelling of the infamous Good Friday massacre game. I skipped over this part as I’ve seen it several times on YouTube. I suggest others do the same or avoid that all together as it isn’t one of hockey’s finer moments.
February 28, 2022
Before picking this up, I had no idea who Jay Baruchel was or what he had done.
Let’s start with this … no fan of a team who has won more Stanley Cups (24) than any other team in hockey history can complain about his team not winning a championship!
Most of this book seemed like either a drug-infused rant or a drunken tirade. In the middle there was an agonizing length about the making of the movie Goon. The book started well enough with his personal history and growing up a Habs fan, but just deteriorated as it went on.
Let’s start with this … no fan of a team who has won more Stanley Cups (24) than any other team in hockey history can complain about his team not winning a championship!
Most of this book seemed like either a drug-infused rant or a drunken tirade. In the middle there was an agonizing length about the making of the movie Goon. The book started well enough with his personal history and growing up a Habs fan, but just deteriorated as it went on.
January 12, 2019
This book is so much me, without being me. Our reasons for our periods of non-fandom are different (I was trying to be what I saw as a “normal” girl), and I was there for the last Cup (my friend and I walked down Ste-Catherine to the Forum). But I too was born into it - I’m a first-generation Canadian but a second generation fan.
This book may not appeal to most, but it’s there for those who need to know they aren’t alone.
This book may not appeal to most, but it’s there for those who need to know they aren’t alone.
June 9, 2019
Underlying the advertised subject (hockey) is a reflection on childhood trauma, fandom, and Canada.
I don’t know jack shit about hockey but I do know;
- what it’s like to grow up with an unstable addict for a dad;
- how being a fan of something can shape your life;
- what Presidents Choice and Swiss Chalet are.
SO yeah, I understand now.
This hockey book is comprehendible even to non-hockey fans, that’s a feat in of itself.
I don’t know jack shit about hockey but I do know;
- what it’s like to grow up with an unstable addict for a dad;
- how being a fan of something can shape your life;
- what Presidents Choice and Swiss Chalet are.
SO yeah, I understand now.
This hockey book is comprehendible even to non-hockey fans, that’s a feat in of itself.
December 16, 2023
If a friend hadn’t lent me this book I probably wouldn’t have read it, for the sole reason that it is mainly about hockey, which I couldn’t care less about. If Jay ever writes a book that isn’t about sports I’ll happily read it as I throughly enjoyed his writing style. If you’re like me and don’t care about sports in the slightest it’s a hard book to get into, but Jay is a funny and well spoken (written?) guy. Also love the shoutout for Winnipeg. 😎
August 15, 2020
This book started out well, but it's kind of 'all over the place' in the telling and after the first couple of chapters became more of a rambling.
The author's heavy reliance on as many forms of sh*t and f*ck as possible became tiresome by page 30 and annoying by page 60. I gave it up at about that point.
Too bad. It had potential.
The author's heavy reliance on as many forms of sh*t and f*ck as possible became tiresome by page 30 and annoying by page 60. I gave it up at about that point.
Too bad. It had potential.
May 9, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this text. Blending his life story with the story of the Habs truly shows how crucial they are to his personal identity.
As many others have said though, there is a lack of focus in the text. It’s still a great read, but the organization of the book wasn’t for me.
Definitely recommend though. Got me back into watching hockey with intention.
As many others have said though, there is a lack of focus in the text. It’s still a great read, but the organization of the book wasn’t for me.
Definitely recommend though. Got me back into watching hockey with intention.
February 20, 2019
It's rare that a book has me laughing out loud. This book caused me to laugh embarrassingly loud several times. I loved it. It was well written, clever, touching, and informative. If you love hockey, read it. If you love Jay Baruchel, read it. If you love Canada, read it!
May 17, 2019
Much better than anticipated. Thoughtful. Genuine. Honest about the casual harm of his upbringing. And of the values passed on, regardless. A cynic with a boundless enthusiasm for life. Very Canadian. Very Universal.
September 24, 2019
great read if you are a Canadiens fan , or just a hockey fan in general , Jay is a very good writer , the insights into his family life and his relationships with his parents were very interesting , recommended
March 6, 2020
I would give this book 5 stars as a serious Habs fan. But for those who are not Habs fans but hockey fans this is probably only going to be 4 stars for them. It’s a great book, about an even greater legacy.
April 17, 2020
I only give this 5 * because it is a tribute to the best team there ever was, the Montreal Canadiens. Before anyone disagrees, I would just like to say 24 Stanley Cups. Other than that it was a fun read by a fun guy. GO HABS!
May 7, 2023
This indepth and personal view on one's relationship with hockey was very immersive. Baruchel makes you laugh out loud through the entire book. But, just as there are times for laughter, there are serious moments that Baruchel shares from his life. I'm grateful for this Christmas present.
June 6, 2023
I didn’t think Jay Baruchel and I would have anything in common other than being a Habs fan, Canadian and our senses of humor, but we share the same reason we love the team. We were born into it; our dads are the reason we’re Habs fans and always will be whether they do good or bad that year.
While reading this, it felt like I was chilling on the couch with a great friend and a cold beer as they recounted memories, the good and the bad. While also discussing our love of the team and some great hockey moments. It was pretty cool learning more about his life and what shaped him into the person he is today.
It’s no surprise that Jay’s a talented writer, his signature sense of humor shines through; and his poetry was a great addition.
While reading this, it felt like I was chilling on the couch with a great friend and a cold beer as they recounted memories, the good and the bad. While also discussing our love of the team and some great hockey moments. It was pretty cool learning more about his life and what shaped him into the person he is today.
It’s no surprise that Jay’s a talented writer, his signature sense of humor shines through; and his poetry was a great addition.
October 12, 2023
It’s witty, raw and brutally honest, yet simultaneously meticulously crafted. What a book. What an author. This is a book about much more than just the Habs. I would even recommend it to people who know nothing about hockey, it’s that good.
November 17, 2018
I quite liked this a lot. It's charming and witty and really well written, and just fun whether you like hockey or not.
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