tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post8000098043358114160..comments2024-03-22T01:12:01.899-07:00Comments on Buddies in the Saddle: Guy Vanderhaeghe, The Last CrossingRon Scheerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15357501069513854664noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-37489234064364472822013-08-25T12:28:13.004-07:002013-08-25T12:28:13.004-07:00I grant you; it was a long haul.I grant you; it was a long haul.Ron Scheerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15357501069513854664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-60507730229760465102013-08-25T11:51:53.377-07:002013-08-25T11:51:53.377-07:00Thanks for the fine review of this book. Haven'...Thanks for the fine review of this book. Haven't made up my mind about reading it, 400 pages is a lot anymore.Oscar Casehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10328166606910469945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-59062950596770808362013-08-22T09:07:06.789-07:002013-08-22T09:07:06.789-07:00I only recently read Lonesome Dove and enjoyed it ...I only recently read Lonesome Dove and enjoyed it quite a lot, although it took me a while to get through it. I like the idea of sprawling epics more than in reality it seemsCharles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-47296081050877500992013-08-21T13:57:39.091-07:002013-08-21T13:57:39.091-07:00Well, that is a succinct way of putting it. Thanks...Well, that is a succinct way of putting it. Thanks.Ron Scheerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15357501069513854664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-65892715180151685772013-08-21T11:16:21.187-07:002013-08-21T11:16:21.187-07:00Nor did it make the shortlist for the Giller - som...Nor did it make the shortlist for the Giller - something akin to the Pultizer. A bit of a comedown given that Vanderhaeghe's previous novel, <i>The Englishman's Boy</i>, won the GG. But then these annual awards are crap shoots, aren't they.<br /><br />On the other hand, what <i>Canada Reads</i> lacks in prestige it makes up in sales (hence the seal). I may be down on it, but as with Oprah's Book Club the show gets people reading.Brian Busbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04120341319506205062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-73731865693465371912013-08-21T09:26:41.585-07:002013-08-21T09:26:41.585-07:00If there is minimal story and the material barely ...If there is minimal story and the material barely coheres, then perhaps this was intended to be a literary novel. Such novels, much honored by the intelligentsia, downplay story and focus on relationships and character, the purpose being to give the reader a satisfying grasp of the characters and circumstances of their lives. Popular fiction usually is based on telling a story that comes to a climax and conclusion. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-26455888793337583752013-08-21T08:57:26.722-07:002013-08-21T08:57:26.722-07:00Thanks, Brian, for the clarification. I read a Can...Thanks, Brian, for the clarification. I read a Canadian edition of the novel, which proudly sports the "Canada Reads" seal on the cover. Doing a little research, I see what you mean. Vanderhaeghe seems not even to have been on the short list for the GG Award for fiction that year.Ron Scheerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15357501069513854664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-68487877316023093352013-08-21T07:58:18.849-07:002013-08-21T07:58:18.849-07:00I've not read this one, Ron, so can't real...I've not read this one, Ron, so can't really comment except to say that I hope you'll tackle another Vanderhaeghe. Your pieces are always interesting.<br /><br />One small correction, if I may. I think the Governor General's Awards is the closest thing we have to the National Book Awards. <i>Canada Reads</i> is a "battle of the books" in which five names (actors, musicians, politicians, athletes) provide arguments as to why their chosen book should be read by Canadians. As in a crummy reality show, one book is "voted off" each day until a new title is "crowned". The unpleasant competition is played out annually on CBC Radio 1. <br /><br />Championed by Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo fame, <i>The Last Crossing</i> won in 2004, beating out works by Mordecai Richler, Alice Munro, Monique Proulx and Thomas King.Brian Busbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04120341319506205062noreply@blogger.com