If you are a fan of Canadian literature, then you want to be sure to catch a glimpse of such favourites as Margaret Atwood, Timothy Findlay, Neil Bissoondath, Rohinton Mistry, Jane Urquhart, and Yves Beauchemin, as you have never seen them before.

True, this slim volume of *fables for our times* is decidedly Canada-centric, and if you are not familiar with the politics and the buffoons, er, I mean, the politicans of this country over the last 10 years or so, then a certain irony may be lost on you. Or not. Some issues and personality types have a way of transcending boundaries, it's true.

Neil Bissoondath's fable touched my heart and made me a bit sad. Jane Urquhart's made me see red again, remembering those years of *Harris*ment we endured. But all 6 stories, recounted in the style of Aesop's fables, are informative.

Anyhow, this is a surprising little volume and can be read in one short sitting, say, in an hour.

Making this a bookray.

Tentative shipping order, subject to change if necessary:

1 - SerenityBlue - Toronto
2 - Bookgirrl - Toronto
3 - CestMoi - Toronto
4 - OttawaBill - Ottawa
5 - Grorser - NB
6 - Pooker3 - Winnipeg
7 - Dunzy - BC

Met with Jessibud today and got this great book. I've only read Margaret Atwood's story so far and that made me smile. Loving satircal fables:) I can't wait to have a break and read the rest and then it will be on it's way again. for a friend. Will give to bookgirrl hopefully next week:) Always great to see you Jessibud:) Don't forget the cabbagetown festival:)

Yes Jessibud was right a fast read. I love fables and these ones were great. I liked the one by Margaret Atwood the best but they were all fairly good.
Passing on to bookgirrl next:)

passing it on to Bookgirrl tomorrow and also meeting with her mum bucklesboot. Love those cat paw wings JB:)

'Just got this yesterday from Serenity Blue. Met with her and my Mum at Starbucks, near BMV at Yonge and Eg. It looks terrific and I will get to it right away, as I'm kind of "between books".
Thanks, Margaret!

Witty, poignant, lovely fables by great Cdn authors.
Atwood, Mistry, Bissoondath, FIndley, Urquardt, Beauchemin.
I received a hand written note from Rohinton Mistry once.....I really treasure it.
Anybody out there.....coming to WOTS this year? Sunday, Sept. 30th. Queens Park. I am volunteering in an info booth. Last year, Hotflash, Jessibud and I went, and we wild released some books. A year later, I got a JE from Paris, France.
Anyway, if you are there, I am "on deck" 11am to 2:30pm. Come and say hello!
Off to Cestmoi today! Madeleine

Arrived today.

Thanks for sharing and thanks for the bookmark, Madeleine.

Ok, I have to admit, I didn't get this. It is a short collection of fables written by well known Canadian authors - Margaret Atwood, Timothy Findley, Neil Bissoondath (ok maybe I don't know him so well...), Rohinton Mistry and Yves Beauchemin. The fables are very political in nature and perhaps that is why they went over my head. I am not sure if they were meant to be amusing, educational, inspirational....I just didn't get them. Of course, I do see the parallels in the fables to troubles in our times....but what the purpose of writing them into fables would be? I'm lost.

Since I am so lacking in insight, here's some info from Chapters:
From Our Editors
Fables relate serious ethical teachings in a fun, light-hearted way. The Ark in the Garden is a collection of fables about Canada from some of Canada's most respected writers, including Margaret Atwood, Timothy Findley, Neil Bissoondath, Rohinton Mistry, Jane Urquhart and Yves Beauchemin. Atwood's tale, A Christmas Lorac, follows the antics of Ebenezer Scrooge in Tory Ontario. Mistry writes about a country where kite flying and mountain climbing are no longer possible due to government cutbacks. …+ read moreFables relate serious ethical teachings in a fun, light-hearted way. The Ark in the Garden is a collection of fables about Canada from some of Canada's most respected writers, including Margaret Atwood, Timothy Findley, Neil Bissoondath, Rohinton Mistry, Jane Urquhart and Yves Beauchemin. Atwood's tale, A Christmas Lorac, follows the antics of Ebenezer Scrooge in Tory Ontario. Mistry writes about a country where kite flying and mountain climbing are no longer possible due to government cutbacks. The Banana Wars is a charming look at the Big Foot monkeys and the Long Hand monkeys who can't stop fighting about whether certain banana trees are "distinct." Anyone who delights in satire will appreciate this Swiftian look at Canadians and Canada.

I received this from Cestmoi and have been meaning to get to read it for a while now and finally have. I will pass it along to Grorser on reciept of her address.

The tales are decidedly dark for my taste at this time. Have just come out of a bit of a gloomy spell I was hankering for a bit of "can-do" make believe. They are clever for the most part although a couple were a simple adaptation anyone or the most part could have done to a traditional fable. I rather liked the title fable, The Ark in the Garden, but I also have a soft spot for th elate Timothy Findley anyways.

Although written a few years back their political message still holds.

This little book looks so promising! Sorry at the delay in journalling, O'Bill. It's been here about a week but things have just been bizz-buzz-busy. LOVE the little pop-up Wizard of Oz card. It's wonderful.

Will read this one after I've finished the current read and report back.

Thanks to jessibud for starting this one on its path.

jessibud, so sorry for stalling this one. After your gentle reminder the other day I went looking for this little book and finally found it in the bookcase in the front hall.

Read it today and absolutely adored it! It seems particularly timely right now in the middle of this gawd-awful federal election with Stephen Harper claiming that "Ordinary Canadians don't care about the arts."

What big literary guns are employed to deliver the message here. And all seem to hit their mark.

I may keep an eye out for a copy of this little book to keep on the shelf in the front hall!

Thanks for starting this bookray.

Hello everyone from Bookgirrl. Just a reminder, that this Sunday, Sept. 28th is "Word on the Street", Queen's Park, Toronto. A WILD RELEASE HEAVEN! (Museum or College Park Subway stops will get you to north and south end respectively). Free admission. No car zone. If you can make it, come and see me at the Harrowsmith display - finally convinced publisher Michel to pony up for a booth!
Book deals - esp. later in the afternoon are amazing...Penguins, Harper Collins, etc. Lots of author readings, books/magazines - check the website for info.

The Ark's with me. Oooh, and it's got pictures! And a bookmark too! Thanks Grorser, jessibud and everyone in between. It looks like a welcome diversion from the work I'm doing right now.

It was a pleasant diversion. I only wish it had been longer. As it did jessibud, Bissoondath's fable tugged at my heart and made me a little sad. On the other hand, Rohinton Mistry's "From Plus Fours to Minus Fours" made me smile (a wry smile, but a smile none the less.) And, child that I am, I loved the illustrations.

I'll pm Dunzy and get it out to him on Tuesday, election day!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Two chores today, a) mail book, b) vote. Did the easiest first. Book's on its way to Dunzy.
Now about this voting thing...sigh.

This was a single-sitting batch of tales (I'm OK with that), remarkably uneven in their quality for such a distinguished coven of writers.

Thanks for sending this skinny along, Pooker. In balance, it charmed me. Cheeky art!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

A Christmas RABCK for a non-Bxer.

Interesting fables -- will pass it on.