“The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz” by Mordecai Richler is about a young man growing up in 1940s Montreal, obsessed with achieving success and gaining respect. Duddy, driven by a promise his grandfather once made about owning land, is relentless in pursuing his dream.
The story follows his schemes and relationships, which show both his ambition and his flaws. His pursuit of wealth leads him to make questionable choices, leaving readers to wonder how far he’ll go to make his mark.
Mordecai Richler’s “St. Urbain’s Horseman” tells the story of Jake Hersh, a Montreal filmmaker grappling with personal and family challenges.
After an incident in London pulls him into a scandal, Jake finds himself reflecting on his life, his Jewish heritage, and his cousin Joey, a larger-than-life figure who represents the adventurous spirit Jake feels he lacks.
The book combines Jake’s introspection with moments of humor and vivid memories of Montreal and post-war London.
The novel “The Tin Flute” by Gabrielle Roy offers a heartfelt look at the struggles of a working-class family in Montreal during the 1940s. It focuses on Florentine Lacasse, a young woman trapped in poverty, longing for a better life beyond her waitress job in Saint-Henri.
As she navigates complicated relationships and faces hard choices, the story paints a vivid picture of hope, love, and sacrifice in a time of war.
The novel “Two Solitudes” by Hugh MacLennan explores the cultural and linguistic divide between English and French Canadians in early 20th-century Quebec.
It follows the lives of Paul Tallard, a young man caught between his French heritage and his exposure to English culture, and his family as they navigate societal pressures and personal conflicts.
Through Paul’s story, the book illustrates the tensions within a divided nation while also reflecting on identity and belonging.
Gord Downie’s “Secret Path” tells the story of Chanie Wenjack, a twelve-year-old boy who ran away from a residential school in Ontario. The book follows his journey as he tries to find his way back home, walking along railroad tracks in harsh conditions.
It sheds light on the cruel treatment Indigenous children faced in these schools, based on real events from the 1960s. Through simple, emotional text and illustrations, it shows Chanie’s hope, fear, and struggle.
“Sugar Falls” by David Robertson is a graphic novel based on a true story. It tells the life of Betsy, a residential school survivor, as she recounts her past to a young boy.
Through her memories, readers learn about the harsh realities of the residential school system and the strength it took to endure such experiences. This book shares important insights into Canadian history and the resilience of Indigenous communities.
“Through Black Spruce” by Joseph Boyden is a story about family, survival, and identity. It follows the lives of Will Bird, a Cree bush pilot recovering from a violent attack, and his niece, Annie, who searches for her missing sister.
Will’s reflections on his life intertwine with Annie’s journey, exploring both the challenges of living in the remote northern wilderness and the pull of faraway cities.
The novel highlights the connection between the past and present, set against the backdrop of Canada’s rugged landscapes.
In “The Blind Assassin” by Margaret Atwood, the story follows two sisters, Iris and Laura Chase. Iris reflects on her life, including her sister’s tragic fate and a novel Laura wrote before her death.
The book-within-a-book unravels a sci-fi tale of a doomed romance between a woman and a fugitive. As Iris pieces together old memories and the truth about her family, secrets about love, betrayal, and power come to light.
Margaret Atwood’s “Cat’s Eye” tells the story of Elaine Risley, a painter who returns to Toronto for a retrospective of her work.
As she reconnects with the city of her childhood, she reflects on her past, especially her complicated friendship with Cordelia, a girl who deeply shaped her sense of self.
The novel explores how memories linger over time and how childhood relationships can leave marks that stay well into adulthood. Through Elaine’s eyes, the book captures both the beauty and the harshness of growing up.
David Robertson’s “The Barren Grounds” follows Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous kids in foster care, who discover a magical portal in an attic. The portal leads to another world called Misewa, a frozen land where animals talk and the community faces endless winter.
The two kids work with Ochek, a hunter who takes the form of a fisher, to bring balance back to the land and help Misewa survive. The story blends adventure with a strong connection to Indigenous culture and storytelling.
“The Break” by Katherena Vermette tells the story of a Métis community in Winnipeg as they deal with the fallout of a violent crime. It begins with Stella, a young mother, witnessing an attack outside her house.
The narrative then shifts between multiple characters, revealing different perspectives and histories, all tied to the event. The novel examines family, resilience, and the impact of intergenerational trauma.
“Obasan” by Joy Kogawa tells the story of Naomi, a Japanese-Canadian woman reflecting on her childhood during the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II. Through memories and family letters, she discovers the struggles her family faced as their lives shattered.
The novel reveals how silence and secrets shaped her understanding of identity and loss.
Eden Robinson’s “Son of a Trickster” follows Jared, a teenager from a small Canadian town, who struggles with family issues, poverty, and a touch of the supernatural.
He’s a kind-hearted kid forced to deal with his chaotic mother and her violent tendencies, while strange events hint at his connection to something otherworldly. The book blends everyday life with Indigenous mythology, as Jared starts uncovering truths about his own identity.
“The Diviners” by Margaret Laurence follows Morag Gunn, a writer reflecting on her life in rural Manitoba and her struggles with identity, independence, and relationships. The story explores her roots, her connection to Canada’s history, and her bond with her Métis lover, Jules.
Through Morag’s journey, the book paints a vivid picture of life in the Canadian Prairies while weaving in themes of self-discovery and heritage.
“The Stone Angel” by Margaret Laurence tells the story of Hagar Shipley, a fiercely proud and stubborn elderly woman reflecting on her life as she faces her own mortality. The novel explores her relationships with her family, her struggles with aging, and her regrets.
Set in a small Canadian town, Hagar’s memories shed light on her upbringing, her marriage, and her inner conflicts. Through her perspective, we see how pride shapes her choices and affects those around her.
Wayne Johnston’s “The Colony of Unrequited Dreams” tells the story of Joey Smallwood, a real-life figure who became Newfoundland’s first premier. The novel follows his early struggles, political ambitions, and the challenges of shaping his province’s future.
Alongside Joey’s journey, the story explores his complex relationship with Sheilagh Fielding, a sharp-tongued journalist who often acts as his foil and confidante.
Set against the backdrop of Newfoundland’s vast and untamed landscapes, the book paints a vivid picture of the region’s history and the personal sacrifices tied to power and ambition.
“Galore” by Michael Crummey is a story about a small Newfoundland community shaped by miracles, curses, and generations of interconnected lives. The book begins with a man found alive in the belly of a beached whale and follows the tangled histories of two feuding families.
It’s filled with strange events, folklore, and a sense of the harsh yet magical life on the coast.
The book “The Shipping News” by E. Annie Proulx follows Quoyle, a struggling newspaper hack who moves to a remote town in Newfoundland after personal tragedies.
There, he starts piecing his life back together, working at a small, quirky newspaper and uncovering strange family secrets tied to the harsh, wind-battered landscape. The story captures the rugged charm of the Canadian coast and the way the past echoes through the present.
The novel “Barometer Rising” by Hugh MacLennan is set in Halifax during World War I. It revolves around Neil Macrae, a man wrongly accused of cowardice, returning home in secret to clear his name.
The story unfolds against the backdrop of the 1917 Halifax Explosion, a catastrophic event that changes the lives of the characters while exposing tensions in Canadian society.
Alistair MacLeod’s “No Great Mischief” follows Alexander MacDonald as he reflects on his family’s history and the bonds that connect them. The story moves between his current life in Ontario and the past of his Scottish-Canadian family, tied together by loyalty and tragedy.
The novel weaves moments of love, loss, and resilience, spanning generations and exploring themes of identity and belonging.
The novel “Washington Black” by Esi Edugyan tells the story of an eleven-year-old boy who starts life as a slave on a plantation in Barbados. His life changes when he becomes the assistant to his owner’s eccentric brother, who is fascinated by flight and invention.
This unlikely partnership takes Washington on an extraordinary journey that spans continents and tests his courage, while he wrestles with questions about freedom, survival, and his place in the world.
The book “Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maud Montgomery tells the story of Anne Shirley, an imaginative and talkative orphan who is unexpectedly sent to live with siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert on Prince Edward Island.
Though they originally wanted a boy to help on their farm, Anne’s charm and fiery personality soon win them over. The story follows Anne as she navigates friendships, school, and her own stubbornness, bringing humor and heart to her quiet new community.
“Barkskins” by Annie Proulx spans generations, beginning in the 1600s when two Frenchmen arrive in the Canadian wilderness to work as woodcutters. Their lives and those of their descendants intertwine with the history of the logging industry and the exploitation of forests.
The story moves through time, showing the effects of ambition, greed, and environmental destruction.
The book “Black Robe” by Brian Moore tells the story of a French Jesuit missionary in the 1600s who travels deep into the Canadian wilderness to convert Indigenous people to Christianity. The journey is harsh, full of cultural clashes and moral challenges.
As the priest pushes forward, his beliefs and survival are tested against the raw and unfamiliar world he encounters.
“Fathers and Crows” by William T. Vollmann is part of his series exploring clashes between cultures and empires. This novel focuses on the interactions between French Jesuit missionaries and the Indigenous peoples of Canada in the 17th century.
It weaves together stories of faith, love, survival, and the devastating effects of colonization. Vollmann’s vivid descriptions bring this harsh and beautiful landscape to life, capturing both the spiritual conflicts and the raw human struggles of the era.
Thomas King wrote “Medicine River,” a novel about Will, a photographer who returns to his hometown after his mother’s death. Set in a small Indigenous community in Alberta, the story focuses on the everyday lives of its residents.
The book introduces memorable characters like Harlen, Will’s best friend, who frequently meddles in his life with good intentions. Through Will’s connections and memories, the novel captures the humor, challenges, and strong bonds of community life.
“The Stone Diaries” by Carol Shields tells the life story of Daisy Goodwill, an ordinary woman navigating love, marriage, motherhood, and loss. From her birth in the early 20th century to her final years, the novel captures the small but meaningful details of her existence.
It weaves together different perspectives and explores how memory and identity shape a person’s life.
Stef Penney’s “The Tenderness of Wolves” takes readers to the remote Canadian wilderness in the 1860s. When a man is murdered and a teenage boy goes missing, a quiet settlement is thrown into chaos.
The story follows a determined woman, Mrs. Ross, as she searches for answers in harsh and unforgiving landscapes. This novel weaves in elements of survival, hidden secrets, and the struggles of life in an isolated world.
The graphic novel “Susanna Moodie: Roughing it in the Bush” by Carol Shields, Patrick Crowe, and Willow Dawson tells the story of Susanna Moodie, an Englishwoman who emigrates to Canada in the 1830s.
It captures her struggles as she adjusts to a harsh life in the wilderness, giving a glimpse into her fears, resilience, and humor.
Her letters and personal accounts provide a raw look at her experiences, including encounters with loneliness, the land, and survival challenges in a new country.
The story in “Earth and High Heaven” by Gwethalyn Graham focuses on the relationship between Erica Drake, a journalist, and Marc Reiser, a Jewish lawyer, set in Quebec during World War II.
The novel explores the challenges they face due to societal prejudices and family opposition, offering a vivid picture of the tension in Canadian society at the time. It captures the human cost of bigotry against the backdrop of war.
The novel “Lullabies for Little Criminals” by Heather O’Neill tells the story of Baby, a twelve-year-old girl growing up in Montreal. With a father who struggles with addiction, Baby drifts into a world marked by poverty and vulnerability.
The book explores her relationships, especially with her father and a dangerous older man named Alphonse, as she navigates a life teetering on the edge of innocence and harsh reality. The way Baby views her world is both heartbreaking and full of a strange kind of hope.
The book “Adult Onset” by Ann-Marie MacDonald follows Mary Rose MacKinnon, a middle-aged woman living in Toronto. She is a stay-at-home mom, caring for her two young kids while her wife is away for work.
As she juggles the chaos of parenting, memories from her own childhood resurface, forcing her to confront old wounds, family dynamics, and questions about identity.
The story weaves between her present-day struggles and the past, revealing layers to her experiences and relationships.
“The Cunning Man” by Robertson Davies follows Dr. Jonathan Hullah, a physician with unconventional methods, as he reflects on his life and the mysteries he has encountered.
The story weaves through his experiences in Toronto, his relationship with the arts, and his exploration of both medicine and spirituality. Told through his voice, it examines questions about life, death, and the connections between science and the human soul.
The book “King Leary” by Paul Quarrington follows Percival Leary, a retired hockey legend reflecting on his life as he travels to Toronto to appear in a ginger ale commercial.
The story shifts between his glory days on the ice and his present, where he’s grappling with aging and the ghosts of his past.
It’s filled with humor and sadness, from his victories in hockey to the losses that have shaped him, creating a portrait of a complicated and once-admired man.
“The Rebel Angels” by Robertson Davies is a witty and philosophical novel that revolves around a group of professors and students at a Canadian university. The story mixes academic intrigue, romance, and explorations of art, religion, and knowledge.
At its heart is the discovery of a priceless manuscript, which sets off a series of events tied to ambition and rivalry. The characters, from a monk grappling with his faith to a passionate professor of literature, bring both humor and depth to the narrative.