CanadianContent discussion

I noticed when compiling the links that we didn't have any discussion threads relating to this square, and now that I'm reading my translated novel I feel compelled to talk about it. I'm reading Nikolski by Nicolas Dickner and really enjoying it. This is what I love about reading challenges like CanLit Bingo. I would never read this book in the absence of the challenge and now that I am reading it, it's great! I will probably check out more books by this author too since I love his style of writing.

What have you read, or are you planning, for this square?

I'm planning to go non-Canadian for this square and read My Brilliant Friend. I've had the Ferrante series lying around forever, so I'm using this square as an excuse to get me to finally start in on them.

I read Ru by Kim Thúy and I have to say I found it just ok. It felt more like a series of anecdotes rather than an actual formal story and they skipped around a lot as if one would remind the author of another story, though not in a linear way. It was supposed to be about the immigration experience but I never got that from it.

@Diane, I'm planning that one for the square about someone immigrating to Canada. Sorry to hear you didn't like it. At least it's quite short!

Yes it's short. I didn't hate it, it just didn't grab me as much as I thought it might. I used The Piano Maker by Kurt Palka for that square. The Jade Peony by Wayson Choy which I've just finished would work for the Immigrant square, too.

When I read Ru, my thoughts were that is should be classified as poetry rather than a novel. I did find the writing beautiful, but agree doesn't have a plot driven storyline to it.

Wasn't it on Canada Reads at one point?

@Allison, Ru won Canada Reads in 2015. Its defender was Cameron Bailey, and he was so, so impressive. So classy and calm and intelligent. I was really taken by him in those debates.

I read the Quebecois classic Next Episode for this square, which was also my Secret Santa gift from Louise!

I read Volkswagen Blues by Jacques Poulin that I had wanted to read for years. It was a great read, a road trip to search for a long lost brother, that is also a metaphor for the history of Quebec.

I think I'll be reading How to Make Love to a Negro which is translated from French.

@ Megan - I also read How to Make Love to a Negro Without Getting Tired for the same square. It also qualifies for the Top 100 Proud to Be Canadian Bingo Square. Hope you enjoy Dany Laferrière's dry sense of humour. :)

@MJ, I'm really looking forward to reading it, I could use a book with humour in it right about now. :)

If you're looking for a good book for this square may I suggest either The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches or Atonement by Gaétan Soucy. He has become my favorite Canadian writer. Every word he puts down is so important. I still have his other two novels to read and I'm keeping them as a treat. I don't want to read them too quickly since this is all he has written and has since passed away.

Louise wrote: "If you're looking for a good book for this square may I suggest either The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches or Atonement by Gaétan Soucy. He h..."

I was going to use that book, but was having trouble getting my hand on a copy without buying it, so I have switched to Twenty-One Cardinals because I loved And the Birds Rained Down

Have you read 21 Cardinals yet, Heather? I bought it right when it came out, but haven't read yet! I also loved And the Birds Rained Down, and have been excited to read her next. So little time...

Diane wrote: "I read Ru by Kim Thúy and I have to say I found it just ok. It felt more like a series of anecdotes rather than an actual formal story and they skipped around a lot ..."

That's how I felt too. I felt the "a novel" on the cover was misleading.

I'm reading 21 Cardinals now. Very much like it

Allison wrote: "Have you read 21 Cardinals yet, Heather? I bought it right when it came out, but haven't read yet! I also loved And the Birds Rained Down, and have been excited to read her next. So little time..."

No, but I plan to get to it soon