Customer Reviews

How to Be a Canadian

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I first heard about "How To Be A Canadian" on CBC's "Basic Black," in which Arthur Black interviewed the Ferguson brothers (Will and Ian) and they read some of the best parts of the book out loud. What can I say...I was hooked and rushed out to buy a copy at Chapters (Amazon.ca didn't exist then...sorry guys, I'm now a loyal Amazon.ca customer!). "HTBAC" reads fairly quickly, but it is an immensely enjoyable read, and explosively funny in spots (don't read this at work if you don't want coworkers giving you looks of sympathy after your random hyena laughter).

"How To Be A Canadian" conveniently packages our national heroes, cuisine, regional differences, literary endeavours, phobias, and odd social customs into a laugh-out-loud tome that is the literary equivalent of Timbits: tasty, bite-sized chapters on "Who To Hate and Why," "How To Waste Time Like A Canadian," "Mating Rituals," "Art and Stuff," "Progressive Conservatives, Responsible Government and Other Oxymorons," and "Twelve Ways To Say You're Sorry," along with how to insult Canadians, the official Canadian haircut and dress code (mullet, plaid shirt, skidoo boots with fake buckles), provincial "fact sheets" (Ontario: "Gaze Upon our Humble Magnificence and Bow Down Before Us!" Formal name: The Centre of the Universe. Provincial motto: "Celebrating over 100 years of narcissistic self-absorption") and more. To top it off the Ferguson brothers have written a clever little quiz at the end to test your Canadian knowledge (If you hear the name "Elvis" and immediately think of figure skating, give yourself one point. If you still don't know what the capital of New Brunswick is, give yourself 10 points. If you can't remember if you curled or not, because of how drunk you were: 50 points) You get the idea. Nothing is sacred for Will and Ian, which is what makes the book so funny.

So, if you're American and want to learn more about those mysterious neighbo(u)rs of yours to the north, this is the book for you. If you're a Canadian who needs a quick reply to "What makes a Canadian" (other than *not* being an American), this book is for you. I have bought "How to Be A Canadian" for a number of friends with different tastes and it's been a success all around. A funny, thoughtful book that hits the mark on all the issues and is certainly entertaining in the process (that's PROcess, not prahcess, eh?) Have fun, and good luck to any Future Canadians out there!

If you laugh at Royal Canadian Air Farce and enjoy tongue-in-cheek self-deprecating Canadian humour, this book is definitely for you. It takes you on a tour of Canadian regionalism (Albertans are the angriest Canadians), cuisine (Timmy's), sports (curling) and government (hopeless). Pokes fun at our car-buying habits (why do farmers by big-a??ed luxury cars?), our pop-culture (you know, that stick-insect woman singer from Quebec) and our language (eh?). You can even learn how to say you are sorry in twelve different truly-Canadian ways and how to write lyrics like Bryan Adams. The only thing it doesn't tell you is how to make love in a canoe.

You must be able to honestly look at our Canadianism, with an open mind, and a quirky, humorous attitude to peruse this book. If you think Canadian's are, just perfect, do not even open this book, as it will just upset you.
However, if like me, you love to revel in our differences, and laugh at our little idiosyncrasies, you will enjoy this, sometimes subtle, and sometimes very, in your face mock at the Canadian species.
Brothers Will and Ian Ferguson somehow get away with saying the most outrages things...
"If Canadians were porridge, Goldilocks would find us just right" In describing Canada's newest northern territory, Nunavut ..... "the world's most expensive guilt trip"
They describe the official emblem of Vancouver as an umbrella turned inside out. With an activist chained to it. Drinking a latte.
They give equal opportunity in their ridicule to all parts of the country.
They offer the "Twelve Ways to Say I'm Sorry"
The Ferguson Brothers, both comedy writers of other venues, have joined together to create this very funny, impertinent account of the Canadian life way. And it's good.
Steve MacDowall
Thursday File
[URL]

I am a Canadian citizen living in the United States for almost 7 yrs now and have kind of lost touch with my Canadian self. After starting to read this book many memories came back about what a great country Canada is. There are a lot of jokes and stereotypes used in this book as well as interesting facts. This book made me laugh out loud many times and had my boyfriend asking "why is that funny?". So you might not get some things in the book if you havent lived in Canada or truly experienced Canadian culture but if you have a friend that is Canadian maybe they can help explain things to you. I Really enjoyed reading this book and I'm sure you will too.

Being Canadian (I am not, but know a few who are) is clearly as odd a thing as being any other nationality, but with the distinction that Canadians define themselves more often by what they are not (i.e., overly cultured, overly ambitious, American, French (if you live outside Quebec), English (if you don't) etc, etc). Canadians have a reputation for reticence about themselves, which leads many people (most often those who live right next door in a place that actively exports its ideas) regrettably not to know much about them.

So this book mines a rich seam of eccentric humor in many different ways (there is an entire chapter on "Eh?", for one). It reads like a series of stand-alone humorous pieces - which also makes it perfect for reading episodically while seated - if you get my drift.

It is, in effect, an "Idiot's Guide" type of book, but has the merit of not attempting to be an encyclopedia, which suits the material very well, and allows for interesting anecdotes both about Canada and about the process of writing the book.

There are many parts that made me laugh really hard, the chapter on Canadian cuisine for one. I can confirm that much of what is written is very accurate from my own observation. And the overall effect, while obviously needing to be funny and light reading, gives outsiders a really helpful quick study of the mystery of Canada and Canadians in particular.

Highly recommended.

This is truly one of the best books ever written about Canada.
Forget the pretentious pontifications of Pierre Burton and Margaret Atwood, this book tells the real story of Canadian society in hilariously frank language.

Will Fergusons really has a talent for writing hilarious, iconoclastic Canadian literature. "Bastards and Boneheads" was clever, "Why I hate Canadians" was funny, yet rambling, but "How to Be Canadian" is truly hits the mark.

The book is written in a very fast-paced, self-referencing, Dave Barry-eque style, with footnotes, script-style conversations, and hilarious chapter titles. Unlike some of the other Ferguson works, this is a book that is 100% humor, and contains no hidden morals or agendas. It's giant in-joke that only true Canadians can get.

I think one of the best parts was the province-by-province synopsis, especially his description of Prince Edward Island as a repressive police state unwillingly subjected to the massive personality cult of Anne of Green Gables. His ill-fated attempt to describe Canadian sex is similarly hilarious.

This is a book that all Canadians should read.

I thought this book was wildly entertaining and hilarious. It may poke some fun at canadian things, but they are so true and you can't deny it. I recommend it to anyone who wants a light and VERY funny all CANADIAN book! Enjoy!

This book did not only generate some chuckles. I was laughing out loud all through this! It's witty, upfront and very real. Will and Ian have presented a fascinating look at Canadian life...from the perspective of two of our funniest! How to Be a Canadian looks at everything about us from a highly amusing yet down-to-earth and completely believable way. Thanks for blabbing about us, guys!

If you can, then this book's not for you! Wil Furguson's book is a tongue-in-cheek preview of what to expect in each province. I guess this book would be more appreciated by current inhabitants; an immigration guide it is not (although you might want to check out if what's said is true once you get here!)
The fun quiz at the back determines whether you're Canadian enough to live in Canada and is a good do over some Molson's and nuts.

I bought this book as a gift for my Dad.. and then decided to "look it over", to make
sure it was appropriate. Well once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. It is a
hilarious reality to the confused state of being a Canadian. This one is going to be a
staple on my gift giving list from now on!