Fiction Pick of the Week: The Elegance of the Hedgehog

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Murial Barbery 2008

A smart, sophisticated, character-driven book that can’t be rushed—its numerous literary, philosophical and psychological references demand time to be pondered and savoured. Alternately narrated by the 54-yer-old concierge of a posh Paris apartment building and the 12-year-old daughter of one of the resident families, both are deeply intelligent and therefore frustrated by the pretentiousness and ignorance of those around them. They have each developed their own coping mechanisms which are often bitingly satirical and offer sharp insight on the class consciousness of modern society. Things change, however, with the arrival of a new tenant in the building who sees through all the personality facades and attempts to bring to the surface the true nature of each character.

Fiction Pick of the Week: Finding Home

Finding Home by Eric Wright 2007

The underlying plot is simple: middle-aged Will Prentice returns to England for his mother's funeral. Suffering from a mild, mid-life crises, he decides to stay on indefinitely, to revisit his roots, to discover who he is and where he belongs, Canada or England. His driving companion is young Fred, his uncle's grandson, a recent Cambridge graduate, interested in Canadian Studies. As Fred drives Will across England, coast to coast, south to north, Will talks him through a journey across Canada. This juxtaposition creates a wonderful sense of place for both countries, England and Canada. Within this simple framework, Wright has written a tapestry of one part entertaining English travelogue, with the emphasis on tourist traps, and one part witty commentary on Canada's societies and attitudes. Another level of interest is provided by a family mystery: where did his mother hide her wealth? The reader learns that home is not only geography and landscape, but also a state of mind.

Non-Fiction Pick of the Week: This Land is Their Land

This Land is Their Land : Reports From a Divided Nation by Barbara Ehrenreich

This Land is Their Land : Reports From a Divided Nation is a collection of previously published essays about the growing gulch between the haves and have-nots and what used to be the middle class in America. Full of wit and irony, the author, Barbara Ehrenreich analyzes how wealthy individuals and corporations are sadly broadening the gap by engineering social, political, and economic policies that continue to disadvantage the middle class and poor. She also darkly diagnoses other issues including illegal immigrants, military families, unemployment, health insurance, corporate spying, cancer, and more. It’s a real eye opener on a theme that is being touted more and more in the U.S. (and Canada!). Read an essay or two, give yourself time to digest the information, then try a few more. Most of her arguments are sound, her presentation easy to absorb.

Fiction Pick of the Week: American Savior

American Savior: a novel of divine politics by Roland Merullo 2008

If you enjoy political satire then you might want to read American Savior : novel of divine politics by Roland Merullo. Merullo has written three novels that deal
with the humourous side of religion and politics; the other titles are Breakfast with Buddha and Golfing with God. In American Savior Jesus has decided to come back down to earth to save the world again and has decided to do so by running for President of the United States. The story is told in the first person by a cynical TV. journalist Russ Thomas. Jesus has selected Russ to be his campaign manager. This novel is very funny and shows the interplay of politics and religion in the United States.