The underappreciated novelist Modicai Richler was every bit the master of Jewish comedic fiction as Phillip Roth. When it came to describing the emerging Canadian middle class in the 1950 and 60s Richler got it just right and left one roaring with laughter to boot.

This was the first Richler book I've read and I enjoyed it very much.

If you've had the pleasure of reading Barney's Version (also by Mordecai), read this novel, too. In it, you will find many of the very same comic characters and general situations that made Barney's version a Canadian prize winner.

Bonus suggestion: His son, Daniel Richler, has written an excellent novel, as well: Kicking It.

Guy Vanderhaeghe's short stories are better than his novels, and this collection is the best of them. Quiet as a shady grove, this collection follows on Sinclair Ross' tone, and is marginally less depressing.

Had this beautifully wrought novel not received some publicity for winning the Governor General's Award in Canada in l996, I'd never have known of its existence, and what a sad oversight that would have been in this age of pop culture and instant bestsellerdom for many books whose primary value seems to be their bankability as future films. Yet author Vanderhaeghe probably would not have been surprised by this. In fact, one of the main themes of this absorbing and satisfying book is the power of film, "the glory of American lightning," and the different goals to which it can be adapted by "artists" and "visionaries."

Structurally, the book tells two stories in alternate chapters set in the Canadian Wild West of the l870's and in Hollywood in the l920's. The author makes no real attempt to create suspense about the identity of the Englishman's boy of the 1870's and who he has become by the 1920's. The author has a bigger vision than that. Instead, he chooses to reveal small parts of the continuum of history between these dates until at the end the full story of the Englishman's boy is revealed. At the same time, the thematically subtle juxtaposition of specific events from these dramatically different times and places shows how little human nature has changed and how much it is important to be true to ideals and values, whatever they may be and however they may have to accommodate the changes of history.

In this astutely crafted story of wolfer/hunters, Indians, Hollywood moguls, young strivers toward success, Socialists, preservers of the status quo, barely surviving traders, immigrants, hard men, and "visionaries" who would impose their dreams on the masses via film, the reader is caught up in the swirl of history and asked to think about the extent to which history is simply a succession of random events, whether the events have been imposed upon us, and how much, if at all, we can control our own dreams and our futures

Had this beautifully wrought novel not received some publicity for winning the Governor General's Award in Canada in l996, I'd never have known of its existence, and what a sad oversight that would have been in this age of pop culture and instant bestsellerdom for many books whose primary value seems to be their bankability as future films. Yet author Vanderhaeghe probably would not have been surprised by this. In fact, one of the main themes of this absorbing and satisfying book is the power of film, "the glory of American lightning," and the different goals to which it can be adapted by "artists" and "visionaries."

Structurally, the book tells two stories in alternate chapters set in the Canadian Wild West of the l870's and in Hollywood in the l920's. The author makes no real attempt to create suspense about the identity of the Englishman's boy of the 1870's and who he has become by the 1920's. The author has a bigger vision than that. Instead, he chooses to reveal small parts of the continuum of history between these dates until at the end the full story of the Englishman's boy is revealed. At the same time, the thematically subtle juxtaposition of specific events from these dramatically different times and places shows how little human nature has changed and how much it is important to be true to ideals and values, whatever they may be and however they may have to accommodate the changes of history.

In this astutely crafted story of wolfer/hunters, Indians, Hollywood moguls, young strivers toward success, Socialists, preservers of the status quo, barely surviving traders, immigrants, hard men, and "visionaries" who would impose their dreams on the masses via film, the reader is caught up in the swirl of history and asked to think about the extent to which history is simply a succession of random events, whether the events have been imposed upon us, and how much, if at all, we can control our own dreams and our futures.

In this age of pop culture and instant bestsellerdom for many books whose primary value seems to be their bankability as future films, it's disappointing that a book this good remains relatively unknown. Yet author Vanderhaeghe probably would not have been surprised by this. In fact, one of the main themes of this absorbing and satisfying book is the power of film, "the glory of American lightning," and the different goals to which it can be adapted by "artists" and "visionaries."

Structurally, the book tells two stories in alternate chapters set in the Canadian Wild West of the l870's and in Hollywood in the l920's. The author makes no real attempt to create suspense about the identity of the Englishman's boy of the 1870's and who he has become by the 1920's. Instead, he chooses to reveal small parts of the continuum of history between these dates until at the end the full story of the Englishman's boy is revealed. At the same time, the thematically subtle juxtaposition of specific events from these dramatically different times and places shows how little human nature has changed and how much it is important to be true to ideals and values, whatever they may be and however they may have to accommodate the changes of history.

Without going into the actual storyline too deeply, I will only say that this book is beautiful and sad and I think accurately portrays the conflicting feelings of people who love and resent their family members. The main character in the book is Vera, who has left her father and disabled brother in Saskatchewan to forge a new life for herself in Toronto and ends up returning feeling not quite defeated but definitely weathered. Her relationships with her son and her aging father are complicated and recognizable and the ending was surprising as the past comes back at first to hurt and then to heal. I grew up in Saskatchewan and many familiar characters of the small town are present in the story...it is worth reading if for no other reason than to visit the prairie landscape, but the characters will pull you in as well.

The story is a model of conflict between generations. Vera, the protagonist, headstrong daughter, wonderful mother, seargant!, good wife can be admired and detested, depending on the scene. But she is one of the great characters of Canadian fiction. Alec, the grandfather, will be mainly disliked for his habits and assumptions about women, but he can be understood as well. Daniel, son and grandson, will be liked by almost all, even though he has no outstanding "manly" qualities, he loves his grandfather, and is loyal to the end. Characterization marks great fiction. Here it is.

This multiple award winning, unforgettable, Canadian novel is a fictional story about one man's downward sloped life. Ed, a unwealthy yet educated school teacher in his late 30's, had hopes of persuing a virtuous life living with his wife Victoria while seeking employment in the writing business. However, after a short marriage, the wedded couple separated. This seems to a milestone in Ed's life as he now spends countless hours trying to track down his ex-wife, whom is bearing his only child.

He resides directly above an elderly and irritating individual named Mr. McMurtry that seems to devote his entire retired life to pestering Ed. It appears that he will not halt until Ed has lost all mental health from listening to numberless hours of his poor choice in music or has been kicked out of the apartment complex all together. Nevertheless, Ed continues his search for Victoria. Risking his flourishing profession, friends, and both mental and physical health to re-unite himself with what he feels is his only achievement in life, Victoria.

This novel is a surprising dark, yet amusing drama written in first person. The use of a complex mixture of both brief and elaborate sentances strongly describes the setting and mood of every scene. The use of setting well defines Ed's true living style and previous life experiences as the author explains in extreme detail everything from room odors, to what Ed is wearing on his feet. This truly helps to define each environment that Ed is placed in, and only adds detail that helps us be transposed into Ed's environment.

A development of a theme is well exemplified when Ed is in perusal of Victoria. He starts out by calling all close relatives in hopes that they may lead him in the direction of his dreams. However, due to previous mishaps, nobody wants to assist him, and keep all information from him. This only adds to Ed's slowly declining downfall. He is then found roaming the streets in his damaged, loud, out of style, yellow, Italian vehicle. This development of theme only increases thorough the novel. The author uses the same techniques in many points in the book as we learn about the life of Ed.

There are few situations where neither humor nor irony is greatly used in the novel. In some most instances, the novel takes on a serious tone, as Ed goes from one crisis to another. However, in some instances the author incorporates humor, such as when Ed seeks help from his intelligent friend Benny. Ed rudely interrupt's a business meeting and pretends to mishear Benny when asked to leave, as an invitation to sit down. Ed continues the escapade for several minutes until Benny can take no more nonsense and escorts Ed to the door with no more that a few words of wisdom.

I feel that a notably strong point in this novel is it's remarkable description in detail. The author soundly sets the scenes with numberless amounts of fine points. This however does not seem to bore the tone of the novel, as each itemized account is required for true understanding, and interruption of the novel. Despite all this detail, it only applies to scenery. I felt that character development was poor, as only Ed, the main character, can truly be analyzed due to lack of detail in sub characters. For example, we hear little about Victoria, Benny, Max, nor Mr. McMurtry, as more focus is on Ed himself. Despite this however, I feel My Present Age was an excellent novel, a great story, and something I hope to remember.