The Break

By Katherena Vermette, 2016 A first novel, this book by a Winnipeg writer was nominted for the Governor General’s Literary Award. In terms of language, characters and structure, it is about as close to perfect as a work of literature can be. On a bitterly cold night in Winnipeg’s North End a thirteen-year-old girl named […]

The Sympathizer

By Viet Thanh Nguyen, 2015 This is one of the best novels I have read in a long time. After reading it twice, I am in awe of the writer. The bulk of the novel is the written confession of a double agent. A committed though mostly undercover communist, he escapes Saigon with the General […]

Can You Hear the Nightbird Call?

By Anita Rau Badami, 2006 Anita Rau Badami is an author I keep coming back to. Years ago I read Tamarind Mem in a book club and remember no details, only that it was gripping, beautifully told story. Last year I was so impressed by the discussion of The Hero’s Walk on Canada Reads on […]