book review:
Best Canadian Stories 08
For the best Canadian stories of a given year, a reader need usually look no further than the latest collection by Alice Munro, who at her best seems bioluminescent. It is unlikely that Best Canadian Stories 08, which is more like a set of energetically stoked embers, will crowd Munro off of anyone’s shelf. These stories are good, and all are quite accomplished in terms of craft, but they rarely meet the expectations raised by the series’ title.
In many stories, the reader is forced to spend time with characters that are lifelike but tiresome; the desire to eavesdrop quickly evaporates. It is not always (perhaps never) necessary to like the people one is reading about, and BCS 08 does reward readerly patience, but often these resolutely ordinary characters fail to snag genuine interest.
This is not the case in the collection’s first story, “You Can Keep One Thing,” by award-winning writer Kathleen Winter. Detailed and compelling, it is told in a distinctive, thoroughly conceived voice. And yet this voice, even at its most convincing, is a wall between the narrative and the reader, who cannot help imagining the author in the act of creation, instead of the narrator she has created. Character-driven fiction (that is, the majority of literary fiction) is a kind of ventriloquism, and in much of the work featured in Best Canadian Stories 08, the reader can see the authors’ lips moving.
The most seamless stories in the collection are Clark Blaise’s “Isfahan” and “The Pool Man” by Patricia Young, though both are marred by predictable situations that are presented as inevitabilities (in the former, an instance of racial profiling at the airport; in the latter, an illicit encounter with the eponymous character).
The adolescent gossip of Cynthia Flood’s “Learning to Dance” is somewhat less effortless but, if anything, more memorable. However, its lustre is slightly diminished by its similarities to Winter’s opening story. Both follow young female protagonists whose parents are insensitive to particularities of language and fashion that prevent their daughters from fitting in. These stories, and in some respects the collection as a whole, are encapsulated by this short paragraph from “Learning to Dance”: “‘This isn’t a frock,’ she whispered, when she could get her mother’s attention. ‘I can’t wear this at School. Everyone will say it’s Canadian.'” (Daniel Marrone)
edited by John Metcalf, $19.95, 168 pgs, Oberon Press, 205-145 Spruce St, Ottawa, ON, K1R 6P1
Your websites are very slow due to open
Will you be inquisitive about exchanging links?
I’ve been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thanks, I’ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your website?
Hi! I just found your web site: brokenpencil » Blog Archive » Best Canadian Stories 08 when I was exploring digg.com. It looks as though someone enjoyed your site so much they decided to bookmark it. I’ll absolutely be coming here more often.
A subject close to my heart numerous thanks, i have been thinking about about this subject for some time.
Excellent weblog here! Also your website lots up rapidly! What host are you the use of? Can I’m obtaining your affiliate hyperlink for your host? I wish my internet website loaded up as fast as yours lol
you are actually a good webmaster. The site loading pace is incredible. It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick. In addition, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a great job on this subject!
Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. However imagine if you added some great photos or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this site could certainly be one of the greatest in its niche. Fantastic blog!
Thank you for sharing excellent information. Your site is very cool. I’m impressed by the info that you’ve on this blog. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles.
You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the subject matter and found most persons will consent with your site.
I’m interested to know if it’s possible to copy a paragraph of this publication to use for my school project.
Magnificent website. Lots of useful info here. I am sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your sweat!
I like this website it’s a master piece! Glad I found this on google.
You can definitely see your enthusiasm within the paintings you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart. “He never is alone that is accompanied with noble thoughts.” by Fletcher.
Whats Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid other users like its aided me. Great job.
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Aw, this was a very great post. In idea I might like to jot down like this also – taking time and actual effort to make a superb article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get one thing done.