As it’s Canada Day, we’re having a look at some of Canada’s best in book form. In all honesty, Canada isn’t usually the first country that one thinks of for spectacular authors, books or anything else really. However, the country is brimming full of talent, and today is one of the best days for us to have a good look at Canada’s talents. Let’s have a look at some of the best books that have come out of Canada. All of the authors, unless otherwise specified, are Canadian, and many of the stories take place within the gorgeous country.
The story, inspired by the “formula Ann” stories, tells of Anne, an orphan from Nova Scotia. She is sent to Prince Edward Island, to the home of brother and sister Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. The Cuthberts had originally asked for an orphaned boy, who would be able to help them on their farm. Due to a misunderstanding, they receive Anne Shirley instead. The bright, inquisitive young lady is known for her bright red hair and freckled face. We read about the adventures of Anne and her friends as the story progresses. Anne of the Green Gables is the first book of the series. Since the book was published, it has sold more than 50 million copies and has been translated into approximately 20 languages. Since L.M. Montgomery died, another sequel, along with a prequel, has been published. Numerous stage and television series have been adapted from the novel. Anne of Green Gables also happens to be Kate Middleton’s favourite children’s book.
The Life of Pi, published in 2001, tells the story of Pi Patel, an adult in Canada. He recalls his childhood in India, and how his father owns a zoo. Pi’s family decide to emigrate to Canada, due to the shifting nature of politics in India. While on the boat to Canada, the boat is hit by a storm. Pi survives and manages to escape to a small lifeboat. In the boat, there is also a hyena, zebra, and an orang-utan. Underneath the boat tarpaulin is a tiger. The story goes on to tell how Richard and Pi survive at sea. Pi is finally found, and interviewed, the reader must then decide whether the story was real or whether it was a part of his imagination. The Life of Pi was critically praised. The book was turned into a hit film in 2012, directed by Ang Lee. The film won several Oscars.
Margaret Atwood was born in Canada’s capital, Ottawa. The Handmaid’s Tale is one of her most famous novels. It is a work of science fiction. It tells of Offred, a handmaid in the Republic of Gilead, a theocratic state that has taken over the USA. In the story, handmaids must bear children for well-off couples that cannot conceive. The story goes on to tell of Offred, with Offred narrating in a flashback format, and her life as a handmaid, and how she survives in the totalitarian society. It also tells how she must fit in to a society where women do not have many rights, nor are they held very highly. Towards the end of the novel, it is mentioned she may have escaped to either Canada or England. The Handmaid’s Tale won Margaret numerous awards, including a Governor General’s Award and the Arthur C. Clarke. It was been turned into stage, opera, radio and cinema adaptations.
This would mark Mordecai’s fourth novel. It is mostly set in Montreal, Quebec (one of Canada’s provinces), in the 1940s. Duddy is a poor Jewish boy raised in Montreal. He has a growing obsession with money and power, both of which are growing, thanks to family, friends, teachers and lovers. His grandfather tells him that without land, he is a nobody. This leads Duddy to believe that owning land is his life’s biggest goal. As Duddy gets older, he begins to strive towards his life’s ultimate goal, by doing anything that he possibly can. The story progresses, with Duddy continuing to do whatever it takes, including doing illegal deals and more. Duddy eventually has a nervous breakdown and must finally start acting as an adult. The book was adapted to the screen in 1974, with Richard Dreyfuss starring in the lead role. At the time, it was the most successful Canadian film ever made.
There have been numerous Canadian books released, including Lives of Girls and Women, The Cunning Man, and more. Alice Munro, who wrote Lives of Girls and Women amongst other well known novels, is the only woman to win both the Man Booker Prize and the Nobel Prize for Literature. We’re a wickedly talented country, give us a chance.