Here's the story of what unfolded in 2003:
Next Episode
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Denise Bombardier with her
book choice Next Episode |
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A tale of madness and espionage is the book
selected for the second edition of Canada Reads. Next
Episode (Prochain Épisode) by Hubert Aquin is
part polemic and part spy thriller. A Quebec separatist weaves
a tale of intrigue set in Switzerland, and injects it with
his views about nationhood and the importance of terrorism
as the means to an end. First published in 1965, Prochain
Épisode was translated by Sheila Fischman in 2001.
Canada Reads host Bill Richardson
guided five panelists through a series of votes, which led
to the choice of this controversial title, championed by Quebec
author and broadcaster Denise Bombardier. It was not a unanimous
vote. The Canada Reads panelists described Next Episode
as “provocative and disturbing” (Denise Bombardier),
“amazing” (Justin Trudeau), “revolutionary”
(Will Ferguson), “experimental” (Nancy Lee) and
“depressing” (Mag Ruffman).
A percentage of the sale of Next Episode is being donated
to Frontier College. Founded in
1899, this literacy organization recruits, trains and supports
volunteers who run reading circles, homework clubs and tutoring
programs in communities across Canada.
Almost a million Canadians are blind
or visually impaired. If you need your Canada Reads books
in a format such as braille or audio. or you know someone
who does, The Canadian
National Institute for the Blind can help. Contact your
local CNIB office, or call 1-800-268-8818.

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