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Here's the story of what unfolded in 2003:

Next Episode

Bill Richardson
Denise Bombardier with her
book choice Next Episode

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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Canada Reads 2002