The Girl Who Was Saturday Night by Heather O'Neill

This is the book that made me take the BookRiot article seriously. I've finished it over a week ago and it has stuck with me. Especially with our local government coming under fire for separate buses for French students. This book helped me see this issue from a totally different perspective.

This story takes place in Montreal, told from the point of view of a child star all grown up and trying to figure life out.  Nouschka's father was a famous folk singer who would use his children on the tv/radio stage to help his image. They filmed Christmas specials that they still aired 20 years later; their lives are still tabloid fodder. She and her twin brother are living with their elderly grandfather and it is a year before the referendum to decide if the province will separate from Canada. They have a very bad relationship with their father, he can't talk with them unless he wants something from them.  Nouschka is trying to get her life in order, going back to school to get her high school diploma and finding talent in writing. 

The best thing about this book is the writing. O'Neill is amazing. She makes the best word choices, vivid imagery, sharp characters. She made me want to binge on this book until, sadly, it was over. I have a feeling I'll be following this authors career for many years to come. Plus I can take solace in the knowledge that she has a debut novel to get caught up on. 

So if you want to read a book that is super Canadian, this is the book for you. Not only that, it is Quebec French Canadian and for some of us Anglo Canadians, it could be a positive learning experience. We need to be reading more books that give different perspectives on the Canadian identity, shine a spotlight on what's wrong with our country, maybe start a discussion. 

Perhaps a little naive but can't we just get along?

For some real reviews/info on this great book:  The Walrus; CBC Books; Montreal Review of Books; The Guardian; The Star; The Globe And Mail

Heather O'Neill's Tumblr Blog... and when I was there, I found out that she is has a new book coming out in April! Even more good news.