The Best Laid Plans

THe story of this book is facsinating. Every authors' dream. He was turned down by all the publishers. So he self published the book. He then submitted it and won a Stephen Leacock award for humour. I enjoyed the book (and I rarely read non-fiction). Political and humourous. Not fall down funny but I did smile.

Back at the beginning of 2007 I started listening as Terry Fallis released each week a new chapter of his book as a podcast episode from his website. Although not a Canadian, I rather rapidly got caught up in the adventures of Daniel, Angus, Muriel and the rest of the cast of characters and found myself eagerly looking forward to the next week to learn what would happen next! Once the book came out in printed form, I was delighted to be able to go back through and read it again. While the book is obviously about Canadian politics, the author provides enough background information that it is certainly understandable - and enjoyable - for the non-Canadian. In fact, as someone very interested in US politics the book was an interesting view in how politics works in our neighbor to the north. Politics aside, the book is just a great *story*. I enjoyed the characters and how they evolved over time. I enjoyed the various different side stories... and I very definitely enjoyed the "Diaries of Angus McLintock" that ended each chapter once the book got beyond the initial chapters. At the end of the day, no matter what our political system or country I think we all would love to have a few more politicians out there with the character and principles of Angus McLintock! Now we just have to wait to see what might come next for Angus, Daniel and friends.