canadian

This book was given to me by my wife, who's French-Canadian, in order to help me get a better insight into the recent history of Canada. During the time period in which it was set, there indeed seemed to be a stark contrast between French & English Canada. Although even then Canada was much more successful at uniting its distinct Catholic and Protestant cultres. Something we have more or less failed to do in Ireland.

In the 'Two Solitudes' MacLennan implicitly rejects the narrow-minded cultural view of Marius and Janet and instead tries to forge a strong sense of national unity in the Second World War generation. The book was probably written too close to the events to be able to understand the massive cultural change that would impact Canada (and more specifically Quebec) after the war.

At that time Quebec differenciated itself from a Canadian culture in thrall to the dominant English-speaking world of the British Empire. Today English-Canadians have replaced their Union Jacks, love of royalty and sense of inferiorty with the maple leaf, love of pop culture and sense of superiority as they have become enthralled to the dominant English-speaking world of the American Empire.

As one of the most decentralized nations in the western world, Canada seems more divided than ever. Even though the religious divide has all but disappeared, it remains to be seen whether Quebec wishes to remain part of an English-speaking North America.

Two solitudes by Hugh MacLennan is a graet Canadian novel. it discusses all canadian themes, such as landscape, bilingulism, conflicts on identity etc.
I will ask every canadian to read this book. It's worth your time.

I love this book. MacLennan's descriptions of the natural landscape and of human nature are eloquent and perceptive. I've circled and starred many passages throughout the book that I thought were wise and beautifully written.