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101 Letters to a Prime Minister: The Complete Letters to Stephen Harper
From the mailbox of the Prime Minister's Office to your bookshelf, a list of more than 100 books that every Canadian should read. This largely one-sided correspondence from the "loneliest book club in the world" is a compendium for bibliophiles and those who follow the Canadian political scene. Smart, subversive, signed, sealed, and now available to you...even if your address is not 80 Wellington Street.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
About the author
Yann Martel
39 books4,972 followersYann Martel is a Canadian author who wrote the Man Booker Prize–winning novel Life of Pi, an international bestseller published in more than 50 territories. It has sold more than 12 million copies worldwide and spent more than a year on the bestseller lists of the New York Times and The Globe and Mail, among many other best-selling lists. Life of Pi was adapted for a movie directed by Ang Lee, garnering four Oscars including Best Director and winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score.
Martel is also the author of the novels The High Mountains of Portugal, Beatrice and Virgil, and Self, the collection of stories The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios, and a collection of letters to Canada's Prime Minister 101 Letters to a Prime Minister. He has won a number of literary prizes, including the 2001 Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction and the 2002 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature.
Martel lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with writer Alice Kuipers and their four children. His first language is French, but he writes in English.
Martel is also the author of the novels The High Mountains of Portugal, Beatrice and Virgil, and Self, the collection of stories The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios, and a collection of letters to Canada's Prime Minister 101 Letters to a Prime Minister. He has won a number of literary prizes, including the 2001 Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction and the 2002 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature.
Martel lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with writer Alice Kuipers and their four children. His first language is French, but he writes in English.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 10, 2015
At first, I hated the idea of this book--Stephen Harper cannot possibly care what Yann Martel thinks he should read. But the more I read, the less that mattered and the more I thought about the importance of what a leader consumes in shaping who they are and how they lead.
Although I found it a little overtly left-leaning, the letter format is intimate and direct, the list of books is superb, and by the end I found myself wondering how my own reading list impacts my work, my friendships, and my life.
The best part of being friends with writers is their book recommendations and this book is a window into the book recommendations of an excellent Canadian writer as well as a meditation on the impact of literature and the types of leaders we choose to elect and support.
Although I found it a little overtly left-leaning, the letter format is intimate and direct, the list of books is superb, and by the end I found myself wondering how my own reading list impacts my work, my friendships, and my life.
The best part of being friends with writers is their book recommendations and this book is a window into the book recommendations of an excellent Canadian writer as well as a meditation on the impact of literature and the types of leaders we choose to elect and support.
April 15, 2021
You’ve got to admire Yann Martell, after being disgruntled at the state of the arts world in Canada, he decided to send the then prime minister, Stephen Harper a book with an extensive covering letter every two weeks for three years (2009 – 2011). The aim was to help him appreciate the arts, to see how his mind works, to even start a discussion of sorts. Unfortunately this was a one sided book club as Harper never personally replied to any of his packages. Thus in this respect this experiment was a failed one.
However with the publication of these letters, this endeavour takes on a new aspect. We readers are privileged enough to have a first class reading list of novels, plays and poems ranging from Ancient Greece to present day. Plus each book will definitely be open for discussion at any book club. For someone who is just getting into literary fiction (although there is one mass market novel in there)
At the same time there’s some history going on: The election of Barack Obama (who does send Martel a letter thanking him for Life of Pi) , Stephen Harper’s second term, the birth of Yann Martell’s children, the publication of Beatrice and Virgil and titbits from The Mountains of Portugal. While this is happening, the arts scene in Canada is becoming dire due to budget cuts and cancellations. Which is proof that Harper probably did not read any of these novels.
As a book it’s entertaining. Although these are the types of books to dip in, I suggest one reads it from cover to cover because then one will see the history taking place. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes a bit disappointing but this is a good primer or even if you have some gaps in your reading life, this volume will help remember about those essential books you should read.
However with the publication of these letters, this endeavour takes on a new aspect. We readers are privileged enough to have a first class reading list of novels, plays and poems ranging from Ancient Greece to present day. Plus each book will definitely be open for discussion at any book club. For someone who is just getting into literary fiction (although there is one mass market novel in there)
At the same time there’s some history going on: The election of Barack Obama (who does send Martel a letter thanking him for Life of Pi) , Stephen Harper’s second term, the birth of Yann Martell’s children, the publication of Beatrice and Virgil and titbits from The Mountains of Portugal. While this is happening, the arts scene in Canada is becoming dire due to budget cuts and cancellations. Which is proof that Harper probably did not read any of these novels.
As a book it’s entertaining. Although these are the types of books to dip in, I suggest one reads it from cover to cover because then one will see the history taking place. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes a bit disappointing but this is a good primer or even if you have some gaps in your reading life, this volume will help remember about those essential books you should read.
November 20, 2016
I doubt that Stephen Harper read any of these books or letters but I still find myself charmed by the idea of interacting with your head of state this way. What would you want your leader to read? As Martel asks:
Martel touches on a number of subjects in his letters, from multiculturalism and Canadian identity, to arts funding, environmentalism, history and war. He starts out cajoling but becomes more confrontational and petulant as the project continues (by #100, it's been nearly four years).
Although the project is ostensibly directed at Stephen Harper, it's also directed at Canadians. It asks, "What sort of citizen are you? What is your mind made of?" It introduces and celebrates many Canadian writers, while at the same time encouraging the reader to international breadth and historical scope. I added a dozen titles to my own to-read list.
And it touched Martel, too. In a guest-letter from his partner Alice Kuipers, she writes, "Along the way, I think Yann has rediscovered the joy of reading widely."
And so it goes with reading - it rarely fails to improve one's mind and one's life.
Because that has been the whole point of our literary duet, hasn’t it? If you haven’t read, now or earlier, any of the books I have suggested, or books like them, if you haven’t read The Death of Ivan Ilych or any other Russian novel, if you haven’t read Miss Julia or any other Scandinavian play, if you haven’t read Metamorphosis or any other German-language novel, if you haven’t read Waiting for Godot or To the Lighthouse or any other experimental play or novel ... if you haven’t read The Cellist of Sarajevo or The Island Means Minago or The Dragonfly of Chicoutimi or any other Canadian novel, poem or play—then what is your mind made of? What materials went into the building of the dreams you have for our country? What is the colour, the pattern, the rhyme and reason of your imagination?
Martel touches on a number of subjects in his letters, from multiculturalism and Canadian identity, to arts funding, environmentalism, history and war. He starts out cajoling but becomes more confrontational and petulant as the project continues (by #100, it's been nearly four years).
Although the project is ostensibly directed at Stephen Harper, it's also directed at Canadians. It asks, "What sort of citizen are you? What is your mind made of?" It introduces and celebrates many Canadian writers, while at the same time encouraging the reader to international breadth and historical scope. I added a dozen titles to my own to-read list.
And it touched Martel, too. In a guest-letter from his partner Alice Kuipers, she writes, "Along the way, I think Yann has rediscovered the joy of reading widely."
And so it goes with reading - it rarely fails to improve one's mind and one's life.
Currently reading
December 22, 2012Things I learned:
Stephen Harper is an ungrateful ass.
The guy who wrote Maus was also responsible for Garbage Pail kids.
Jeannette Winterson owns a food shop.
I am quite bad at French these days, to the extent of mistranslating Christian as cretin.
Stephen Harper is an ungrateful ass.
The guy who wrote Maus was also responsible for Garbage Pail kids.
Jeannette Winterson owns a food shop.
I am quite bad at French these days, to the extent of mistranslating Christian as cretin.
August 14, 2016
For me, this was a collection of 101 love letters to literature. My to read list just grew by a lot and I am reminded of why I am an avid reader. I strongly recommend to all book lovers, or anyone who wants to try and understand us.
May 3, 2022
Well I'm not going to bother finishing it because there are so many books out there. But it's fantastic and I'm thrilled that it was written. It stayed for YEARS on my bedside table (I mean, like 6 years) and I'd pick it up now and then and entertain myself with its hilarity. I don't need more, but I'm so glad to have it in my life. Just awesome.
April 18, 2020
The author talks about books that give you a feeling or moment of quiet in life and to some extent, this collection is that for me. And to a large extent I agree with the author's argument about the importance of art.
However, the letters do come across as preachy and pushy, as the author states the point over and over again, and this, I find annoying. He is also presumptuous, stating things about Stephen Harper as though he knows about the Prime Minister more the man knows himself, as to come across as downright rude.
I may pick up some of the books suggested here although not the poems or drama. Never the poems or drama.
However, the letters do come across as preachy and pushy, as the author states the point over and over again, and this, I find annoying. He is also presumptuous, stating things about Stephen Harper as though he knows about the Prime Minister more the man knows himself, as to come across as downright rude.
I may pick up some of the books suggested here although not the poems or drama. Never the poems or drama.
Read
February 16, 2018A friend is hoping to attend the Editors Canada conference, and they recently announced Yann Martel as a speaker. That reminded me that I've wanted to read about this since I first heard about it. The involvement (or lack of involvement of) a Prime Minister is an interesting hook, but I read it for the recommendations. I love receiving ideas on what to read next and in this book Yann Martel provides me with more than 100.
August 31, 2016
The premise intrigued me, writing a bi-weekly letter to the PM and mailing it with a carefully selected book. Yann Martel kept this going for four years, despite never once receiving a reply from his intended recipient.
The letters varied widely, sometimes about how the selected book was written, or little known facts about it's author, or how the book fit into present day politics. I must admit that I felt as time progressed with no response, Yann Martel got bolder with his opinions and criticisms of both politics and Stephen Harper personally. Some letters were downright cringeworthy, disrespectful and rude.
The idea for this exercise stemmed from Yann Martel's firm belief that an effective leader can both understand how things are and dream how they should be, and literature is the key to this process.
I liked the letter for book 15 which stated that any book makes us live the life of another person and then states that the saddest thing is someone who has only lived their own life, unenlightened by the experience, real or invented, of others". In other words, we grow as a person when we immerse ourselves in a character - we see through their eyes, get insight into how they think and feel, and our life experience expands as a result.
"A book is a bottle with a genie in it. Rub it, open it, and the genie will come out to enchant you."
The letters varied widely, sometimes about how the selected book was written, or little known facts about it's author, or how the book fit into present day politics. I must admit that I felt as time progressed with no response, Yann Martel got bolder with his opinions and criticisms of both politics and Stephen Harper personally. Some letters were downright cringeworthy, disrespectful and rude.
The idea for this exercise stemmed from Yann Martel's firm belief that an effective leader can both understand how things are and dream how they should be, and literature is the key to this process.
I liked the letter for book 15 which stated that any book makes us live the life of another person and then states that the saddest thing is someone who has only lived their own life, unenlightened by the experience, real or invented, of others". In other words, we grow as a person when we immerse ourselves in a character - we see through their eyes, get insight into how they think and feel, and our life experience expands as a result.
"A book is a bottle with a genie in it. Rub it, open it, and the genie will come out to enchant you."
August 16, 2023
Goodreads challenge one to set yourself a reading challenge. I am not one to read for speed, I read and digest and reread and savour way too much. But I have found my reading goal! I want to read all the books Yann recommended to Stephan Harper! Where on earth will you find a more well thought out and inspiring list? With motivation and discussion of each! I plan to read his review of the book when I am reading the book- either before or after the read or both. I'm sure I will find out what works best as I go along.
Excited - I am starting Thanksgiving 2016.
2023 update.
I am at book # 10. So thrilled with this experience. The books are intriguing to say the least and the explanations for the recommendation by Yann Martel is a total game changer! In my humble opinion: Nobody should ever EVER compile a list of books without the justification of each and every choice. I am learning SO much!
Some of the books I am battling to find but just the other day I was lamenting the fact that we no longer need to hunt books - we just ‘one click‘ order from Amazon. But now I am back in the mode of sourcing the books from all available sources - library, second hand book stores and Amazon second hand. And this time I am not taking the thrill for granted.
Excited - I am starting Thanksgiving 2016.
2023 update.
I am at book # 10. So thrilled with this experience. The books are intriguing to say the least and the explanations for the recommendation by Yann Martel is a total game changer! In my humble opinion: Nobody should ever EVER compile a list of books without the justification of each and every choice. I am learning SO much!
Some of the books I am battling to find but just the other day I was lamenting the fact that we no longer need to hunt books - we just ‘one click‘ order from Amazon. But now I am back in the mode of sourcing the books from all available sources - library, second hand book stores and Amazon second hand. And this time I am not taking the thrill for granted.
July 11, 2014
Read this for an author research project, but Martel has inspired me to read more through his elegant yet blunt manner in explaining the importance of the arts. Everyone should read this book, particularly adults who no longer read, so as to remind themselves that perhaps the essence of life is not sitting in front of a computer all day long staring at meaningless numbers.
That being said, there were times when the book became overwhelming near the end, simply because it is difficult to take in so much rich commentary at a time. However, Martel has succeeded in drilling that the arts must be taken in slowly, so that the work permeates you. It is advised that success in reading books is not found in the quantity of which one reads, but the quality-- but every piece is of quality, so in the end reading a lot is the best.
That being said, there were times when the book became overwhelming near the end, simply because it is difficult to take in so much rich commentary at a time. However, Martel has succeeded in drilling that the arts must be taken in slowly, so that the work permeates you. It is advised that success in reading books is not found in the quantity of which one reads, but the quality-- but every piece is of quality, so in the end reading a lot is the best.
October 11, 2014
I think Yann Martel took on a great task for a good reason. I do not know if he intended it, but he shared a great book list with all the rest of the reading world. A thank you goes from me to him. I wonder what such an American list would look like.
October 22, 2022
case:
p142: Progress can't be jump-started; it must arise organically from within a society, it cannot be imposed from without.
such eye-opening travel as I had the luck of doing isn't a possibility for everyone.
Now this is just obnoxious. Midway I had thoughts that supposing this went on beyond 101 letters then we could expect a third, more obnoxious, book.
p142: Progress can't be jump-started; it must arise organically from within a society, it cannot be imposed from without.
such eye-opening travel as I had the luck of doing isn't a possibility for everyone.
Now this is just obnoxious. Midway I had thoughts that supposing this went on beyond 101 letters then we could expect a third, more obnoxious, book.
April 22, 2016
I did not intend to sit down and blow through this in one sitting but that is exactly what happened. That's 101 (mostly) unanswered letters that Yann Martel (Life of Pi, Beatrice and Virgil) wrote to former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Each letter contained the title (or two, or three) of a book that he suggested Mr. Harper read. He even sent a copy of each book with the letter. This happened every two weeks. For 101 letters he received 7 responses, none of which from Harper himself.
There are a wide variety of books mentioned here. Some I've heard of, some not. Some I've loved, some I've loathed, but each letter gives a very, very good argument for picking it up. They aren't summaries of the books for the most part but a discussion of the importance of the ideas, the writing style, of the people that produced it. It really is quite fascinating and I really love how Yann Martel writes. Having heard him speak it is very, very similar.
There are a wide variety of books mentioned here. Some I've heard of, some not. Some I've loved, some I've loathed, but each letter gives a very, very good argument for picking it up. They aren't summaries of the books for the most part but a discussion of the importance of the ideas, the writing style, of the people that produced it. It really is quite fascinating and I really love how Yann Martel writes. Having heard him speak it is very, very similar.
June 26, 2013
Loved this! I have so many new and different books to add to my reading list! Thank you, Mr. Martel.
September 8, 2022
A fascinating and somewhat heart-breaking experiment.
Yann Martel, author of Life of Pi, decided to begin a book club with Stephen Harper who was the Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015. So, every two weeks for about four years, Yann Martel sent a copy of a book (or books) to Mr. Harper with a letter attached. The letters sent to Mr. Harper for the book club totalled to 101 (that's a lot of letters and books!). Here is why this experiment is heart-breaking, Mr. Harper never wrote to Mr. Martel directly. It was essentially a one-sided book club.
So, why go to all that trouble to send a Prime Minister books? According to Yann Martel, books enrich the mind. It is important for one to develop a cultural sensibility if one is in power. Otherwise, where does their empathy stem from? Where do their original ideas originate? While Martel asserts that he does not particularly care if everyone in Canada reads, he is concerned about the reading habits of the person in charge of his country, the person with power over him.
And, I agree.
I am a bit late to the party when it comes to reading this book. Stephen Harper is no longer Prime Minister, and has not been for a long time. When Mr. Martel was sending these letters, I was in middle school and unaware of any sort of political landscape. I was not aware of any cuts to funds to the Arts. But, luckily, Mr. Martel was.
To be warned, this book might irk some people. The books that Mr. Martel sends Mr. Harper are varied. They are not all great works of literature. One of them is a Harlequin romance. However, I do not believe that was the point. It did not really matter if Mr. Harper read the books that were sent to him every two weeks. It mattered if he was open to reading something, if he tried to read. In turn, this would've shown an openness to other ideas and opinions.
Most of the books on the list are obscure, at least to me. For the ones I have read, it was interesting to see what Mr. Martel was going to say about them. It was even more interesting when you take into consideration that Yann Martel is the author of Life of Pi, a beloved modern classic that has been read by millions of people all over the world.
I am a bit envious of Mr. Harper. As a reader, I would've loved for a famous writer to send me books every two weeks with a letter detailing what they thought. I would've been the most devout member of that book club. In many ways, Harper missed out on a great opportunity. Though, I hope that he took the time to read at least one of the books after he left office.
The last book that Yann Martel sent Harper (Letter 101) was In Search of Lost Time by Proust. I couldn't help but grin and then burst out laughing. If Harper would not read Charlotte's Web, he is not going to start reading Proust. But, I do like the idea of a final parting gift of a six-volume epic literary masterpiece sent to a non-reader.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Martel's letters. And, if it is not too late, I must say, "bravo!"
Yann Martel, author of Life of Pi, decided to begin a book club with Stephen Harper who was the Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015. So, every two weeks for about four years, Yann Martel sent a copy of a book (or books) to Mr. Harper with a letter attached. The letters sent to Mr. Harper for the book club totalled to 101 (that's a lot of letters and books!). Here is why this experiment is heart-breaking, Mr. Harper never wrote to Mr. Martel directly. It was essentially a one-sided book club.
So, why go to all that trouble to send a Prime Minister books? According to Yann Martel, books enrich the mind. It is important for one to develop a cultural sensibility if one is in power. Otherwise, where does their empathy stem from? Where do their original ideas originate? While Martel asserts that he does not particularly care if everyone in Canada reads, he is concerned about the reading habits of the person in charge of his country, the person with power over him.
And, I agree.
I am a bit late to the party when it comes to reading this book. Stephen Harper is no longer Prime Minister, and has not been for a long time. When Mr. Martel was sending these letters, I was in middle school and unaware of any sort of political landscape. I was not aware of any cuts to funds to the Arts. But, luckily, Mr. Martel was.
To be warned, this book might irk some people. The books that Mr. Martel sends Mr. Harper are varied. They are not all great works of literature. One of them is a Harlequin romance. However, I do not believe that was the point. It did not really matter if Mr. Harper read the books that were sent to him every two weeks. It mattered if he was open to reading something, if he tried to read. In turn, this would've shown an openness to other ideas and opinions.
Most of the books on the list are obscure, at least to me. For the ones I have read, it was interesting to see what Mr. Martel was going to say about them. It was even more interesting when you take into consideration that Yann Martel is the author of Life of Pi, a beloved modern classic that has been read by millions of people all over the world.
I am a bit envious of Mr. Harper. As a reader, I would've loved for a famous writer to send me books every two weeks with a letter detailing what they thought. I would've been the most devout member of that book club. In many ways, Harper missed out on a great opportunity. Though, I hope that he took the time to read at least one of the books after he left office.
The last book that Yann Martel sent Harper (Letter 101) was In Search of Lost Time by Proust. I couldn't help but grin and then burst out laughing. If Harper would not read Charlotte's Web, he is not going to start reading Proust. But, I do like the idea of a final parting gift of a six-volume epic literary masterpiece sent to a non-reader.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Martel's letters. And, if it is not too late, I must say, "bravo!"
June 4, 2016
https://ayearofbooksblog.com/2016/06/...
“every person has a space next to where they sleep, whether a patch of pavement or a fine bedside table. In that space, at night, a book can glow. And in those moments of docile wakefulness, when we begin to let go of the day, then is the perfect time to pick up a book and be someone else, for a few minutes, a few pages, before we fall asleep.”
Listening to Yann Martel speak about his experience supporting a one sided “busy-busy-busy short book club” with the former Prime Minister Stephen Harper was intriguing and inspired me to read about his book suggestions in 101 letters to a prime minister. In his presentation, at the Grimsby Author Series, Martel shared how it was important for him to know the kind of literature that had nourished the imagination of the leader of Canada. Martel was frustrated that Harper declined to share his literary tastes and puncutated his feelings saying “people who don’t read are arrogant” and that “a paucity of reading means a paucity of imagination” since “literature makes you live many different lives”. He admitted that the book club likely would not have continued if Harper had responded quickly but he never responded and the book club continued for 4 years.
“A book is a marvellous tool – in fact, a unique tool, to increase one’s depth of reflection, to help one think and feel”.
Starting in April 2007 and ending in February 2011, Martel sent 101 books to the former PM, never once receiving a personal response from him although he did receive 7 letters from correspondence staff. Knowing the former PM was very busy leading the country, he diligently chose shorter works beginning with The Death of Ivan Ilych (Ivan Tolstoy), “the story, simply and utterly compelling, of one man and his ordinary end” and ending with Proust, challenging Harper to join him in committing to read the vast 4347 page 6-volume set of Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time. In the two week intervals between, he sent an eclectic selection of novels, plays, comic books and children’s books including both fiction and non-fiction along with letters filled with his own political commentary, advice and slights to Harper. I could not help but chuckle that Martel included a Harlequin romance novel and narrative about the fact that over 100 Harlequin romance novels are published each month for readers who appreciate the security of a safe path to a happy ending. He did criticize the writing and use of adverbs (reminiscent of Stephen King’s comments in On Writing).
“When you are reading, your guard needn’t be up. You can be entirely yourself. Even better: you are totally free. You can read slowly or quickly, you can reread a section skip it, why you can even throw the book down and pickup another – it’s all up to you”
As a person who enjoys the hunt for quality books in thrift stores to fill our Little Free Library (LFL), I appreciated that Martel chose to send Harper used books. He did this to make a point that “a used book, unlike a used car, hasn’t lost any of its initial value. A good story rolls off the lot into the hands of a new reader as smoothly as it was written”. He also shared that he likes the ideas that others had already enjoyed the same book and are part of a “community of readers… a communion of literature”. I hope that the community that enjoys our LFL feels the same!
“The mind can be immortal, living forever through ideas. An idea can leap from mind to mind, going down through the generation, forever keeping ahead of death”.
Martel was quite proud of the hand-written note he had received from the President Obama. The United States President sent the letter after he had read Life of Pi with his daughter. Martel not only mentioned in a couple of his letters to Harper but included a copy to the PM who never responded to the letters and books carefully chosen for him. Martel suggested Harper read Gilead, one of Obama’s favourite novels before meeting him and even suggested that Obama might be jealous of their exclusive bookclub.
“For two people who are meeting for the fist time, there’s nothing like talking about a book that both have read to create common grown and a sense of intimacy, of knowing the other in a small but important way”.
This collection of letters is an interesting compilation of readings which inspire others to pick them up and enjoy, reflect and critique them. The frustration of Martel is obvious in his comments, lecturing text and tone and I have to wonder if avoiding capital letters in the title is a slight to the former PM when the author’s name is boldly CAPITALIZED. While the letters are sarcastic at times, comparing his politics to a game of chess where Harper had lost a number of pawns, stating that compromise was not Harper’s way and wondering what would happen in the next election Martel asked the question that perhaps Harper had made the wrong career choice and was a frustrated artist.
Martel infused the book with his own reflections and snippets of his personal life, commenting in one letter that it would be short as his wife’s waters had just broken for their first child and sharing bits of his personal and family history. While he was away on a book tour, he had fellow Canadian authors (including his wife, Alice Kuipers) provide letters and books giving a few other perspectives to the book club. He shared a small bio on each author throughout the letters giving the reader additional information to ponder.
Martel ended his book club and said he was “tired of using books as political bullets and grenades”. He shared the time consuming nature of the process including the choosing and reading the books, followed by contemplation, writing the letters and discussion with his parents who helped with the translations before they were mailed. All this, just to keep up with his biweekly schedule. He admitted that the process had been a pleasure but that after sending books for 4 years, he was ready to move on.
Fast forward 5 years and Martel, while speaking about his newest novel, The High Mountains of Portugal, remains frustrated with the former PM’s lack of response. The author was overtly critical of Harper and questioned what had happened to the books that were carefully selected and shared over the 4 year period. He shared that he hoped that they were not stowed away in a box in the basement.
“Books are patient. They have time. They’ll still be here long after you and I are gone”
As I read the letters and considered the book suggestions, I would like to think that now that Canada has a new PM, that Harper has taken the time to begin reading through the literary gifts and is relaxing and with a good book! It would be interesting for him to respond with a commentary of his own. I can’t help but wish that I had followed the blog that was attached to this book club initiative but have enjoyed the book and will add some of Martel’s suggestions to my own, growing TBR pile.
“books, owned or borrowed, old or new, nourish and sustain the soul”
September 20, 2017
Having met Yann Martel at SKFOW, reading this is like having him tell about a favourite book. Actually, 101 favourites. The concept of sending a book every two weeks is brilliant and maybe someone should copy with the current leader of America. In reading, admittedly skimming some, the letters my tbr pile grew not only with the books sent but also books referred to it reviews of another work by the author. I learned a bit more about my new home country as well.
February 6, 2019
There is really very little of interest in this book. The trouble is that most of its constituent letters straddle the line between personal, often politically tinged, missive and book review, but never manage to do either very well. I would actually be interested on Martel's thoughts on 101 books, but this is rarely forthcoming. There are a couple of exceptions to this. His 'review' of Gertrude Stein was amusing: he quotes some remarkably racist passages from her book 'Three Lives' and ends up calling her a "stupid, stupid woman". So was his reading of Seven Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello. The book also does a good job of highlighting a number Canadian writers I'd never heard of, including a few poets I think I might read. Beyond this it was fairly pointless. Its political side is characteristic of a lot of artist-activism: idealistic and patronizing. Indeed, some passages read like exemplars of what in 2016 began to be referred to as the smug liberal style.
July 29, 2019
A collection that reminds us of the importance of stories to any society that aspires to be good. A society that can't imagine something better is easier to control, as Erdogan's closure of 29 Turkish publishing houses reminds us. Martel makes a compelling argument for the centrality of the arts and humanities to democracy and quality of life in his letters.
July 5, 2019
C'est une lecture qui s'essouffle à la longue, ce qui n'est pas surprenant pour une conversation à sens unique. Ça m'a permis de remplir ma liste 'À lire'!
May 5, 2021
Lots of unusual titles, but a spirited defense of reading.
April 16, 2022
Loved this book about books. So much food for thought in such different aspects of life.
March 25, 2021
Ini lebih seperti review dari buku-buku yang direkomendasikan Yann Martell. Menarik....! Dan beberapa saya terpikat untuk eksplorasi lebih lanjut....!
March 12, 2016
Kind of presumptuous on Martel's part, but Harper probably should have sent a thank you card himself...
An interesting list of books, a few I've read, a few I've been meaning to read, a few I have heard of, and many I had not.
I've added the books to my to-read list and will refer to this list when I'm stumped looking for something to read.
An interesting list of books, a few I've read, a few I've been meaning to read, a few I have heard of, and many I had not.
I've added the books to my to-read list and will refer to this list when I'm stumped looking for something to read.
May 2, 2012
Le choix des livres envoyés à Harper était intéressant, mais j'ai trouvé les lettres de Yann Martel plutôt ennuyantes à lire. Il aurait peut-être fallu un peu plus d'humour, d'ironie, d'un je-ne-sais-quoi pour rendre la lecture plaisante.
March 1, 2020
Great book to keep bedside to read in-between other books. Each book that was sent to the PM is short and he gives a great description of the author, the book, and why he chose to send it. It's a wonderful list of suggested reading for anyone, with any taste.
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