The Best Laid Plans
A Novel
Book - 2007
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From Library Staff
From Library Staff
Winner of a Stephen Leacock Award for Humour as well as the Canada Reads 'essential Canadian novel of the decade' - but don't hold that against it! Fun and political, at the same time.
A humourous satire about a political speech writer who goes back to teaching and winds up helping a colleague run for a losing seat in Parliament. To their surprise, the run turns into an actual race, with unexpected consequences. This novel, also available as an e-book, was followed in 2010 wit... Read More »
Didn't think I would enjoy a book dealing with Canadian politics ... BUT it is the enjoyable and quirky characters that drive this work. A low-budget (actually no-budget) politic campaign with no hopes (and no desires) to win is littered with colourful beings and outrageous situations. Much fun.
Winner of a Stephen Leacock Award for Humour as well as the Canada Reads 'essential Canadian novel of the decade' - but don't hold that against it! Fun and political, at the same time.
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Add a CommentThis is one crazy book! I definitely recommend it.
I do not like politics, but I loved this book. Funny and smart.
I heard he is coming to Aurora on October 19!
You can find more details here:
http://events.liberal.ca/Event/an-evening-with-author-terry-fallis.aspx?lang=en
Can't wait to meet him and hear him speak!
Funny book about Canadian politics. How I wish we could have some candidates like Angus who really try to do the right thing rather than blindly follow the party line on every issue.
Fallis’ style is overblown, farcical and a fun read (Stephen Leacock Humour Award) as he takes the mickey out of the hysterics of Canadian (or any other country’s) politics. Fallis uses a 60 year old Engineering prof, who wins the election *accidentally*, as his foil to make his more serious points about the need for integrity in politicians, and for the invasive media to leave their private lives alone. For someone like me who loves to hate politics and the media, I was glad to see it. Despite spoon-fed over-writing, I ate up the satire, tolerated the occasional slapstick, and admired his shameless use of deus ex machina borrowed from ancient Greek dramatics.
What a delightful book!! Funny is putting in mildly! It is hilarious. Not only that but it is well written with true to life and believable script, wonderful character development, and a truly Canadian plot! It really ought to be required reading for any government or civics class, even if just for fun! A must read for Canadians!
First there was // Mr. Smith Goes to Washington \\ now there is // Angus Goes to Ottawa \\.
Charming, the keyword is charming - - a charmingly humorous book on another side of Canadian politics - - pass the Molsons, please.
Excellent book! I was considering stopping after a shortway through due to the emphasis on politics, however I couldn't actually put the book down and made it through to the end. It was delightful and witty, stimulating, and informative. Also provides a good glimpse into federal Canadian politics.
Hilarious and heartwarming - a winning combination. Perfect read to get a sense of what may be going on behind Canadian election antics. Ordered the sequel, can hardly wait!
Based on other reviews I looked forward to reading this book. I gave it my best shot, reading about a third of the way through. This kind of humour and writing style was fresh when Stephen Leacock did it. I found it pedantic and wordy and as a result, had a hard time getting into the story.