I did it! This challenge was one of the most difficult to complete, but I feel such a sense of accomplishment for doing so. I read some great books along the way and will definitely participate in the second Canadian Challenge. Hosted by John at The Book Mine Set, the goal of this challenge was to read 13 books written by or about Canadians.
I read 2 books originally in French, and 12 different authors. Ten of the books were written by female authors. My favorites of the bunch were Cat’s Eye, The Road Past Altamont, Jacob Two-Two’s First Spy Case, and The Penelopiad. My least favorite by far was Bear by Marian Engel.
I’d really like to encourage participants of the next challenge to read Mad Shadows and The Road Past Altamont, the two French titles. Though obscure, Mad Shadows had a Wuthering Heights feel to it and The Road Past Altamont felt like a cross between Cather and Montgomery. Also, the Jacob Two-Two series is one to look into if you like children’s books. I loved Jacob Two-Two’s First Spy Case. And of course, it goes without saying that most books by Atwood would be great choices as well.
Thanks, John, for a wonderful challenge, and I look forward to the coming year of more Canadian books.
- Mad Shadows by Marie-Claire Blais
- The Shipping News by Annie Proulx
- Sitting Practice by Caroline Adderson
- Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
- Kanada by Eva Wiseman
- The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
- The Road Past Altamont by Gabrielle Roy
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel
- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
- Jacob Two-Two’s First Spy Case by Mordecai Richler
- Bear by Marian Engel
- The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
I love mythology in general, and The Odyssey in particular, so I was hoping to love this book. I did. Margaret Atwood’s retelling of the famous myth from Penelope’s point of view is brilliant and quite humorous. As she tells the story from Hades, we get Penelope’s take on her father, Odysseus, Telemachus, and Helen among others. You probably have to know the story of The Odyssey fairly well to really get the full impact, though. If you’re familiar with the original myth, you must read this re-telling.
